A Time of Joy, A Time of Reflection
Chaverim Yekarim (Dearest Friends),
As we gather to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, known as zman simchateinu – the time of our joy – I find myself reflecting on the profound journey we’ve shared over the past five years. This column marks the conclusion of my weekly columns as CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, and like the holiday itself, it’s a moment of both celebration and introspection.
Sukkot teaches us many lessons, but perhaps none more poignant than the importance of faith, community, and the cyclical nature of growth. As we sit in our temporary dwellings, we are reminded of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness – a time of uncertainty, but also of divine protection and communal solidarity. This resonates deeply with me as I consider the role I have been privileged to hold these last few years.
The responsibility to help build our community, ensure its safety and sustainability, and lay the groundwork for future endeavors has been both a challenge and a blessing. Like the farmers of old who built sukkah’s in their fields, we have worked tirelessly to nurture and harvest the fruits of our collective labor. And just as they needed faith that their produce would sustain them until the next harvest, we too have relied on faith in our community’s resilience and potential.
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Next week, as we conclude Sukkot with the holiday of Simchat Torah, reading the final words of Deuteronomy before immediately beginning anew with Genesis, we are reminded of a profound truth: while the words of the Torah remain constant, we approach them each year as changed individuals, enriched by another year of experiences and understanding. Similarly, while our community’s core values and traditions endure, those of us tasked with its stewardship evolve, bringing fresh perspectives and insights to our shared mission.
I am reminded by the words of inspirational speaker and author Simon Sinek: “A great leader doesn’t only inspire us to have confidence in what THEY can do. A great leader inspires us to have confidence in what WE can do.” This sentiment encapsulates what I have strived for during my tenure. My goal has never been to be the sole driver of change, but rather to empower each member of our community to recognize their own potential for impact.
Unsurprisingly, Sukkot’s themes of gratitude and communal celebration find echoes in the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Both festivals, rooted in agricultural cycles, remind us to express gratitude for our blessings and to share our abundance with others. As Jews worldwide gather in our sukkot, we are fulfilling the biblical commandment to: “rejoice in your festival… for Adnai your Gd will bless you in all your crops and in all your undertakings, and you shall have nothing but joy” (Deuteronomy 16:14-15).
The great sage Hillel once said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14). These words have guided my approach to leadership. We must have the confidence to act, the wisdom to consider others, and the urgency to seize the moment. Our community thrives when each of us embraces these principles.
As I prepare to pass the torch, I am filled with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me and for the countless moments of joy we’ve shared together. Like the sukkah, my time in this role has been temporary, but the bonds we’ve forged and the progress we’ve made together will endure.
As we enter this new cycle – both in our Torah reading and in our community’s leadership – let us approach it with renewed vigor and optimism. May we continue to build on our strong foundation, always striving to create a community where every member feels supported, valued, and inspired to contribute.
In the spirit of Sukkot, let us rejoice in our achievements, remain steadfast in our faith, and look forward to the bountiful harvests yet to come. Thank you for the privilege of serving this extraordinary community. May we go from strength to strength, and may our joy know no bounds, and in the words of the traditional saying recited at the conclusion of reading a book of the Torah, chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek – be strong, be strong, and we will be strengthened. Because we are…
Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom.
