Good evening,
As we begin reading the Torah anew with Parashat Bereshit, we are reminded of the profound beauty of new beginnings. The words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” call us to reflect on the potential of creation and renewal. Just as God brings light out of darkness, we too are invited to bring new light and meaning into our lives. This cycle of renewal is especially poignant as we revel on the wings of the celebration of Simchat Torah, where we completed the reading of the Torah and immediately began again. The flow from end to beginning is a reminder that in Judaism, there is no true end—only transitions and new starts.
In last night’s festivities, we honored two special members of our congregation during Simchat Torah: our Kalat Torah- Melissa Kirkland, a long-time member who received the Aliyah for the final portion of Deuteronomy, and our Chatan Bereshit- Matthew Prost, who received the Aliyah for the beginning of Genesis. The Kalat Torah’s Aliyah was a fitting tribute to her support and involvement as we completed the annual cycle of Torah reading. In contrast, the Chatan Bereshit, chosen from one of the new families who recently joined our community, received the first reading of the new cycle, symbolizing renewal and the fresh start we are given each year. These honors remind us of the importance of both acknowledging the past and embracing the future.
The Torah begins with the letter Bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, rather than Aleph, the first. This teaches us that we are never truly starting from zero—there is always something to build upon. The letter Bet is open on one side, representing the endless possibilities ahead of us. As we begin again with Bereshit, it is not just the Torah we renew, but ourselves. Whether it’s through learning, reflection, or action, we are constantly invited to grow and evolve, just as God did in creating the world. We chose Laureen Izygon- the devoted teacher of our Consecration class to receive the honor for the children’s Aliyah, as these youngsters begin their own sacred journey with Torah.
Ultimately, Bereshit teaches us that renewal is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Just as creation continues in every moment, so too do we have the opportunity to continually renew ourselves and our community. Anyday, Everyday. As we step forward into this new cycle of Torah reading, may we carry the spirit of renewal with us. Let us create, grow, and learn with ever comes up, always remembering that every new beginning holds the promise of light and possibility.
Shabbat Shalom.
