Friday, August 17, 2018
From our rabbi
Bring it on, 5778! It has been wonderful to start the year together with so many of you at our High Holiday services. During our reflections, we touched on ways we can make this a year of hope, a year of appreciation, a year of legacy and a year of good luck, of mazal tov. And now is our time to make those prayers, make those “pleases” that came from our hearts, exist in the reality of our lives.
We are working so hard to make sure Or Shalom feels like a supportive family and community, where you can find partners and projects to help each of us in our efforts to make this year the best it can be. We strive to make this a place of love and hope for all who come to us. And while we may not always get it right, I’m hoping we can partner together in overcoming flaws when they arise, so we can continue building, together, on what makes Or Shalom the home you want it to be.
As I reflect on this past year in terms of Or Shalom, I am constantly heartened by the growing participation in the events, the teachings, the Shabbat services, and the social action projects that we experience together. I look forward to continuing this momentum and finding ways to engage even more of our Or Shalom family with meaningful moments. For this New Year, I am so thankful to the Board of Trustees and our Cantorial Search Committee for bringing in our incredible clergy partner, Laurie Akers, to be our cantorial soloist. Laurie adds wonderful ideas, amazing music, and a deeply caring heart to our clergy team. I look forward to gathering with all of you on October 20, for her special “official welcome to Or Shalom service,” where she can experience the warmth and enthusiasm that comes when we share uplifting moments as a community.
Within the pages of this Shofar, I hope you’ll pause for a moment, and look—truly look, with the openness and curiosity we used during our High Holidays—for something that can respond to one of your “pleases.” When you find it, see if there is any way you can mark it down and make it happen. Here’s hoping we can bring wonder to 5778, together!
L’shalom,
Rabbi Ari N. Margolis
Congregation Or Shalom
21 Hawthorn Parkway
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Office Hours
Mondays: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
P: 847-362-1948
F: 847-362-7348
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