Shalom to y'all back home,

I am attending the Biennial and having a great experience.  So far I have been to 7 workshops most that have been meant for people in small congregations.  I don't have too much time to share with you now (there are people lined up to use the computers and my next workshop is scheduled to start shortly) but you can be sure I will be returning next week with new thoughts and program ideas.

I am looking forward to attending Shabbat services with thousands of other Reform Jews tonight and tomorrow morning.  Visiting NJC this weekend is Sami Gannon from the ISJL (Institute of Southern Jewish Life) so I hope you attend and enjoy Shabbat services and the teaching of this special guest.  Services this evening are at 7:30 pm and tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Have a Shabbat Shalom and see you in a few days.

B'shalom,

Rabbi John

A few weeks ago I was asked to write something for the Northshore Jewish Community’s newly redesigned website.  My previous and only blog article was what I “produced.”  It was a publicity piece for an upcoming event in the Greater New Orleans Jewish community that I simply retyped.  My assumption was that the piece for the blog would be a test article to see if the tech genie (his name is Shawn in case you are wondering) could make it appear seamlessly on the website.  I was taken aback when that article went “live.” I was in a minor panic.  What could I do about it?  Would someone see it?  Would I get accused of plagiarism?  I didn’t know how to undo what had been done.  Those words were out there, floating through space or however they get from my computer to another one.

Now it is approaching a week past Yom Kippur.  We are in the midst of the holiday of Sukkot, the Festival of Booths.  It is certainly different observing this holiday down here in the Greater New Orleans area than back in my previous state of Connecticut.  I don’t have to think about frost in Mandeville, at least not for a few months   

At any rate, my point is that before the High Holy Days are too far in the past, it is appropriate to remember that everything we do, everything we say, everything we write – it all gets recorded.  Think of all the recordings that pop up on the internet that show things that vary from silly moments to crimes that get recorded on an onlooker’s cell phone. 

Even when no one appears to be watching or listening, someone is.  For example, if we take a cigarette when no one is around to be bothered by second hand smoke, or we consume that extra piece of cake while everyone is asleep in the house, there is a witness.  Yes, this can refer to G-d who our tradition teaches us sees all, but I am referring to ourselves.  If we think we are getting away with something because no one is observing us, it will only lead us to continued bad habits.  Our tradition teaches us that just a one mitzvah leads to another, one transgression leads to another.

So before we hit “send” or “reply” or prior to our doing something negative that no one will see, let’s pause, think, and choose to act correctly.  The message of the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe doesn’t end on Yom Kippur.

Have a hag sameach.

Rabbi John

P.S.  Services this Friday evening are at 7 PM – note the earlier time.  We will be celebrating Simhat Torah and consecrating the new students in our Religious School.  Shabbat morning services at 10 AM will continue our celebration of both Shabbat and Simhat Torah, and will include Yizkor Services.

On Sunday, October 25th there will be a Community Tzedakah Fair at the uptown JCC.  The event begins at 10:45 am.  Students (and their parents) from grades 6 - 12 from all the Greater New Orleans area have been invited.