Our New Rabbi Invites You to Join the Conversation

Dear Friends,

I write to you with great excitement and anticipation as the new Kol HaNeshama rabbi. It is truly an honor to serve you in this sacred role, and I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you and bring the community together in meaningful and fun ways.

As we embark on our journey, I am reminded of a defining Jewish encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush. Some of you may recall my teachings about this during my initial visit. In that encounter, when Moses accepted his mission to go back to Egypt and free the enslaved Hebrews, he asked God about God’s name, and God responded: Eheyeh asher ehyeh, “tell them I will be what I will be. “

To me, this signifies a foundational aspect of any relationship— an invitation to embrace the mystery that lies within and between all things. This burning bush encounter is a beacon, reminding us to open to the unknown, to the mystery, and to tune in to the unfolding process of revelation.

In that same encounter God also made a promise: Eheye imach, “I will be with you.” This promise of presence— I like to call the “with-ness,” serves as an anchor for our ability to courageously and freely be in the mystery. It assures us we are not alone and reminds us we are connected and supported. I invite each of us to cultivate “with-ness” in our community as we navigate the joys and challenges of life and as we deepen our relationships with the mystery and with one another.

As your rabbi, I see my role as guiding our community towards greater spiritual freedom and deepening connection with Jewish traditions. I am committed to honoring our diverse traditions, embracing the evolving needs and aspirations of our time, community and members.

Together, we will explore teachings, traditions, celebrate holidays and festivals, and engage in prayer and contemplation. I am delighted for the opportunity to provide educational opportunities, meaningful rituals, and uplifting services that inspire and strengthen our bond as a Jewish community, as well as enhance our personal spirituality.

I aspire to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and compassion within and around our community. Acts of loving-kindness (gemilut chasadim) can uplift one another, extend a helping hand to those in need, and create a sense of belonging and support for all.

In the coming weeks and months, I will be working closely with our dedicated community leaders to plan engaging events, classes, and celebrations that will deepen our engagement with Jewish teachings and nurture our spiritual and intellectual joys. I am eager to hear your input, ideas, and aspirations as we shape the future of our relationships and community.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any ideas, contributions, questions, concerns, or simply wish to connect. Eheye imach, “I will be with you.”

The best way to reach me is via this link.

May we be blessed with a vibrant and growing community, united in our love for Judaism and our dedication to living kind, caring and meaningful lives.

With love and blessings,

Rabbi Sigal