One hundred years ago, the world had just recovered from the Great War and a deadly global pandemic. The world was in the mood for celebration as cars chugged across city streets, telephones rang in front offices around the world, and the top singers and performers appeared live on radio. The mood of frivolity did not last many more years. Soon the Great Depression and the Holocaust would come, and with this twin set of horrors, one of the darkest periods the world has ever known.
The end of December/beginning of January marks the beginning of our reading of the Book of Exodus. This is one of the most important stories ever written, not just for Jew, but for humanity. Because as Michael Waltzer tells us in a reading included in both the Reform and Reconstructionist prayer books: “wherever you are it is probably Egypt.” To which I would add, we are either arriving or leaving that place of slavery and deprivation.
I cannot tell you what will become of us one hundred years from now, but I do know things will change greatly from where they are right now. That generation will look at us as my children already do as living in the “olden days.” And I’m okay with that. Let’s celebrate our journey into a new year full of new possibilities and adventures. We will, as Michael Waltzer writes, do so “by joining together, and marching.” Where we are headed matters less than who we are with. I am grateful to be with you, our Shir Shalom community.
B’Shalom,
Rabbi Alex