I have a journal in which each date has a page so that each year you can write a few lines about what you did on that day and then look back at what you did on the same date in past years. On June 3, 2014, I wrote the following: “Tikkun Leil Shavuot was a huge success. Over 25 [people in my living room] and they seemed to have a great time.” And then, of course, I raved about Ruby Robinson’s chocolate cheesecake.

As we celebrate our centennial year, we’re excited to announce that construction will begin on our transformational building renovation project in June! The Downtown Synagogue will become a more welcoming and accessible space as we trade our ground-floor brick walls for floor-to-ceiling (ballistic grade) glass windows and install a new ADA compliant elevator. We’re upgrading our Sanctuary, social hall, and kitchen, dedicating a space for children, and building plenty of flexible program and event space.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And of course, just like every day should be Earth Day, every month should be one in which we are mindful of the importance of mental health. But tragically mental illness is not only frequently ignored, it is often stigmatized. And so I am grateful for the opportunity to be reminded that our mental health matters.

During Purim, we believe that the world can be turned upside down, and then right-side up. Vulnerability can turn to power. Terror can turn to joy. We celebrate this with revelry and noise and food and drink. We even try on different versions of ourselves as we dress in costume and yell during the public reading of a biblical text. We tell our children a story that includes attempted genocide and tremendous violence. But then we assure them that Esther’s bravery and cleverness helped save the Jews of Persia.

It has been my honor, privilege, and pleasure to serve the synagogue and the people who define the synagogue – shepherding enlightening programming, professionalizing administrative processes, bringing High Holidays worship services back into the city, engaging and supporting members, leading change, navigating the multitude of challenges through two years of COVID, and, yes, of necessity, tending to the bones of the physical facility of the building.

Since last Shabbat I have had, and have heard, a lot of reactions to what occurred in Colleyville. Fear that antisemitic attacks can occur anytime, anywhere. Anger that we still need to be vigilant about it. Relief that the hostages escaped. Solidarity from and with our partners in the ongoing fight against hate. These each have a rightful place in our consciousness.