SHANA TOVA From our Family to You and Yours
The OLIVES have been CRUSHED
As we end the year of 5784, a year that has been a challenging year for our people, despite so many blessings that have continued to happen in our personal lives, I would like to wish each and everyone of our relatives, friends and community members, an upcoming year of blessings in health, happiness, Nachat, joy and a year in which we see security and peace restored to Israel and an end to the evil there and everywhere else.
The olives pictured on the tree, are on a tree in Jerusalem on a hill that overlooks the Old City, where you can imagine and reflect on the history of our people, our purpose, and how we are living history today, to create a better future for all of us as we seek to make the world be more G-dly, namely, a place of kindness, empathy, joy and unity.
Olives on the trees don't produce light, even if they are in a stunning location. It is only when they are crushed and squeezed, that out comes the pure oil, an element that will always rise above and float on top of other liquids, and most importantly can be used to create and bring light to the world.
This year, we were squeezed and crushed in so many painful ways, as almost every day brought with it challenging and painful news, and our hearts have remained with a gaping hole, as the hostages continue to suffer and we see the pictures of young faces cut down in the prime of their lives.
Yet from under the crushing and the pain, the beautiful light of resilience, hope, faith, positivity and even joy, has emerged, and our people are shining brighter than ever.
At this important moment, we would like to express our deep thanks to the hundreds of you that support our efforts in our own local Jewish Community and beyond, as well as our efforts to help our brothers and sisters in Israel, throughout the year. We couldn't do any of this without you and we are beyond grateful to each and every one of you.
May this coming year of 5785, be a year in which the light continues to amplify, and with it, come the blessings that we all need. May we see an abundance of joyous occasions, continued Jewish learning and education, more unity and blessings and more growth all around.
To all of my dear family and friends in Israel, please know that we are all with you, think about you and pray for you each and every day, and hope that the coming year brings only the blessings of joy and happiness for all of you.
Shana Tova Umetuka!
שנה טובה ומתוקה
Yisroel & Shayna
Chana, Levi, Zalman, Mendel & Leah
ב"ה