Embracing Uncertainty: Courage and Resilience for the New Year

You can still plan to be with  us for the Holidays. All the information is HERE

As we stand at the threshold of a new Jewish year, our hope for a fresh start is shadowed by the challenging and difficult past year. Many of us may find it hard to welcome the new year with genuine hope and joy because we feel weighed down by a time of heightened uncertainty and fear. The world seems to be speeding up, becoming more divided and polarized, threatening both our personal and societal well-being. The news—whether from Israel, the world at large, or our own neighborhoods—often leaves us holding our breath, anxious about what comes next.

In such a climate, it is natural to crave certainty, to wish for a guarantee that everything will be okay. In the absence of such assurances, I invite you to lift your eyes above the abyss of despair and see the possibilities on the edge of this uncertainty. Jews have lived on the edge of uncertainty for centuries, and in doing so, we have stayed together and cultivated resilience through qualities such as determination, curiosity, creativity, ingenuity, and innovation. These qualities can help us not just survive but grow stronger, even at the edge of the unknown.

So, what can we do on this edge of uncertainty to foster strength and resilience? Both personal and communal Jewish practices offer support:

1. Don’t Isolate—You Are Not Alone
   In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to remember that you are not alone. Gathering with others is always important, but it becomes essential during times of conflict and uncertainty. Being part of a community offers emotional and spiritual sustenance, allowing us to face challenges with the support of others. With this in mind, we’ve created my✡︎TRIBE at Congregation Kol HaNeshama, offering new ways to gather, connect and thrive. The invitation is to experience joy and meaning in a friendly supportive network of care and love. More detailsand a form is at KHSarasota.org.
2. Lean on Tradition and Ritual
   Our rich Jewish tradition offers a stable ground beneath our feet, especially during turbulent times. Sharing experiences and rituals with others creates a rhythm in life, offering moments for reflection, gratitude, and connection. The High Holy Days, in particular, are an opportune time to join in the rhythm of the Jewish year, allowing ourselves to be integrated anew into the fabric of community and ritual. These gatherings and rituals do more than mark time; they provide a structure that helps us navigate life’s uncertainties with greater ease.
3. Cultivate Personal Spiritual Practice
   On a personal level, practices such as prayer, meditation, and learning offer profound comfort and guidance when living on the edge of uncertainty. Prayer, for example, provides a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, offering solace and strength. It can be a source of hope, helping us find peace of mind amidst chaos. Through prayer and meditation, many find clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of direction. These daily practices contribute to well-being, balance, strength, and resilience. Personally I have found that my daily spiritual practice is invaluable, especially during the past year’s turmoil in Israel. My daily prayers are an anchor which enable me to face uncertainty with greater courage and trust (ometz ve’bitachon).

As we enter this new year, may you find your tribe—a community where you are seen, supported, and loved. May you discover communal and personal practices, learning, and rituals that bolster your spirit and resilience. May you find purpose and peace in the face of uncertainty.

Le’shanna tova u’metukah.

May this new year be full of sweet connections and reconciliations, where we meet each other and the unknown with courage, open hearts and renewed spirits.

I end with prayers for peace and calm in our country, in Israel and everywhere in the world.

(Published in the Jewish News – Sarasota Manatee October 2024)

Holidays information is HERE