September 2026

Letter from the Rabbi

L’Shanah Tovah Temple Israel Community,

As we begin September and kids prepare to return to school, we look forward to Rosh Hashanah right around the corner. I have been hard at work preparing for our celebrations together over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Working once again with Cantor Joel Nathanson, I expect our High Holiday services to be full of song, spirit, and inspiration for a good year ahead! While we’re still working to finalize the details of plans for services and celebrations over Sukkot and Simchat Torah, I hope you will plan to join us for more connection, song, and community in the weeks to come.

From the start of the month of Elul which precedes Rosh Hashanah through Simchat Torah, it is traditional to add Psalm 27 to our daily prayers. The Psalm begins “To David, the Eternal is my Light and Salvation, whom should I fear?” and ends “Place your hope in the Eternal, strengthen your heart and hope in G-d.” Yet, many communities often sing aloud two verses in the middle of the psalm: “One thing do I ask of the Eternal, this is what I seek: to sit in the house of G-d all the days of my life, to gaze upon the pleasantness of Hashem and be a regular in G-d’s temple.” I have found these words moving for years now for their directness and simplicity in expressing a foundational spiritual insight that is challenging to internalize: the greatest blessing we can hope for in life is to be able to cultivate a consistent relationship with G-d.

However, these words have taken on new meaning for me this Elul as I have been recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that has prevented me from walking, driving, or getting to shul these past few weeks. I realize anew the privilege it is to be able to physically get to shul – and am grateful for the way that shul can came into our homes through Zoom. At the same, these words prompt us to remind ourselves that wherever we are and whatever we’re struggling with, we can glimpse the beauty and pleasantness of the Eternal Source of Life.

My prayer for all of us in the new year is that even – and especially – when we find ourselves dealing with difficult circumstances we can find openings to appreciate the splendor of life and love – and that we can continue to cultivate our own personal relationships with G-d. Looking forward to a year of learning, community, prayer, song, healing, and celebration!

L’shalom,

Rabbi Micah R. Friedman

הרב מיכה שמחה פרידמן