Dear Riverdale Community,
Resilience, communal support, and deep resolve have brought us here.
A year ago we worried like never before about our family and neighbors as Covid drastically affected the health and wellbeing of the community.
A year ago we questioned like never before how we would ever open our doors again if they closed.
And in the days since, we discovered like never before that our tradition and peoplehood can overcome any adversity we face.
We reconfigured and reimagined our practices and programming. We were reminded of the strength that comes when a diverse Jewish community unites around common needs.
The festival of Purim is upon us. The essential narrative we read from the Book of Esther is that of a people threatened and discovering inner strength to overcome adversity. It is clear that we have all struggled, and we know that difficulties remain ahead. In the face of it, let us not forget that there is still hope and opportunity.
Let us together remember …
- … Passover meal distribution strengthening each other.
- … the multiple communal messages and videos we shared together.
- … the book clubs to raise awareness and combat racial injustice.
- … multiple blood drives bringing much-needed support.
- … communal commemorations, over Zoom, such as Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.
- … public shofar blasts for homebound individuals.
- … Sidewalk Sermons presented by the diversity of our leadership.
- … organization and navigation through the vaccination process.
- … the babies being born, the Bnai Mitzvah being celebrated, and holding the memories of loved ones no longer with us.
We recommit and call upon each other to continue our Covid safety protocols of distancing and mask-wearing, in an effort to be mindful of all our community members.
We recommit and call upon each other to reach out in support of those seen and unseen as a reminder we are not alone.
And may the words of the Megillah, the Book of Esther, echo in our hearts, strengthening our resolve:
לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר
“The Jewish people had light, and happiness and joy and love” (Esther 8:16)
With thanks and blessing,
The Riverdale Jewish Community Partnership
