Compassion: Seeing Others and Ourselves With Mercy We often see another person's mistake without seeing the fear, grief, exhaustion, loneliness, or history behind it. We see our own shortcomings and may forget that we, too, are unfinished human beings. Compassion does not mean pretending that everything is acceptable. Mercy and accountability can exist together. We can recognize harm, maintain boundaries, expect better - and still resist reducing a human being to the worst th

Reflections during the Days of Awe: On Judging. Judging is a difficult task and requires wisdom and a sense of justice tempered with compassion. During the Days of Awe, we are advised to carefully examine ourselves and to look within.

Forgiving Judaism teaches that forgiveness is possible - from God, from others, and from ourselves. Teshuvah assumes that we can change, and with change comes the possibility of self-forgiveness. We do not forgive because the past no longer matters. We forgive so that the past does not possess the future.

Repair Relationships, Make Amends, Restore Trust Jewish tradition teaches that for wrongs between one person and another - bein adam la-chaveiro - Yom Kippur does not simply erase them. We must turn toward the person we have harmed and seek to make things right. Not everything can be repaired completely. Another person is not obligated to reconcile with us. Some wounds take time. Some relationships require boundaries. But even when we cannot restore what was, we can still ask

Responsibility Taking responsibility begins when we can say: This part was mine. I recognize what I did. I want to do differently. There is dignity in that admission. Judaism does not ask us to remain trapped by our mistakes. Teshuvah assumes something much more hopeful: we can recognize what we have done - and choose differently when the opportunity comes again.

Words: Speakiing With Care Judaism takes words seriously. Creation itself begins with speech: "And God said..." Words bring something into the world that was not there before. Our words do the same on a human scale. A kind word can encourage someone for years. A careless word can wound, sometimes long after the speaker has forgotten. We can use words to comfort, teach, apologize, defend someone, express gratitude, and tell the truth. We can also use them to gossip, diminish,

Musical Shabbat: September 18, 2026 at 7PM Come celebrate Shabbat with us through music! Cantor Star Wahnon leads an unforgettable and joyful evening. All are welcome. Bring your voice, your energy, and your love of music. A dessert oneg to follow.

Reflections: On The Road To Yom Kippur This is a time for self-reflection, for teshuvah-returning-and for becoming the best version of yourself. Where we can, forgive. Where we have caused hurt, seek forgiveness. Consider not only what others might have done differently, but what we ourselves can do differently. And reflection should lead to action. When we are called on, we should be prepared to do great things.

Listen: Create Space for What Matters Listening is more than hearing words. It is making space in our hearts and minds for what is real — in ourselves, in others, in the world, and perhaps in the quiet presence of God. In a noisy world, listening can be difficult. We are often quick to speak, to explain, to fix. Yet some of the most important truths can only be heard when we become still enough to notice them. Today we pause to listen — to the people in our lives, to our own