Rosh Hashanah 5787
September 12, 2026
Thank you—thank you all for being here. Part of what sanctifies this day is that we gather here, all together – those of you who I know well, those of you who I wish I knew better, and those who I haven’t met yet.
On this subject, I urge you — wear your nametag. My skills with names and faces are not strong, and whether I met you last spring at a Hebrew School dinner or took a Me’ah class with you 20 years ago, I will still be embarrassed when your name is hiding in the attic of my memory and refuses to come out.
But whether I can recall your name or not, I am grateful for your presence.
Lloyd Simon told me his father worked in Concord after the Second World War, in a shop on Main Street near Vanderhoof’s. And notes were slipped under the door, “Jew, go home.” Lloyd’s father was astonished in 1989 by the cheerful people waving to the procession of our founders, including Lloyd, carrying the Torah to our brand-new building. For many of us, Concord has “always” had a synagogue, our Jewish home. Today, Hinenu, here we are.
Kerem Shalom is our refuge when the world is dark. Twenty-five years ago, we faced the 9/11 attacks, six years ago, the pain and loss of COVID, three years ago, October 7th, and, in recent years, the rise of antisemitic acts, so much, too much to recount.
We are here because KS is vibrant, inclusive and welcoming. Because Kerem Shalom is home. And as any homeowner knows, a home does not take care of itself. The garden needs weeding, the furnace maintenance, windows cleaned, an endless list. And the same is true here. We thrive only through the ongoing attention from our community, from you. Each volunteer says Hinenu, here we are, ready to take responsibility for our home.
We are here, have been here, and will be here, for one another in joy and sorrow. We come to pray, to learn, to question, to celebrate, to grow. Today we pause in gratitude – but the work is not finished. We pause in gratitude, and in gratitude we roll up our sleeves and get back to work.
When you volunteer – to help set up an Oneg or clean up, to help with logistics for a celebration, or join a group, like Chesed, Social Action, Adult Programming, the A/V team – you are here, part of our present. If you haven’t volunteered, if you don’t know how, reach out to Robyn, our amazing administrator, or to me directly, and we’ll get you connected.
And I am grateful to all of you who have stepped up, this year, and in years past. Such as the volunteers who set up the chairs and prayer books for today, and our members who have given above and beyond their dues. We’re especially grateful to those who have given year after year to the Annual Fund and in freewill gifts. We could not be here without you. I cannot thank you enough.
Some of you may remember ten years ago, then-president Cherry Muse here on the bima announcing “L’Dor V’Dor” – From Generation To Generation – a capital campaign that nearly half of the congregation participated in – a shining example of community stepping up, taking responsibility. And the money raised enabled the following wonders:
- We reduced the mortgage on this building to less than half
- We responded to COVID, pivoting to online and installing a camera to allow hybrid services
- Replaced our crumbling steps and failing HVAC units
- And invested in enhanced security and increased our police details
Today we pause to remember our stories, our families, and those who have prepared the way for us, together in this building, a building that holds us in its embrace. Since the L’Dor V’Dor campaign, many families have joined, many children have been called to the bima as b’nai mitzvah, and several members, including some of our founders, have passed.
Today we launch our new capital campaign, called “Hinenu” – We are Here – to strengthen Kerem Shalom for our children and our children’s children.
With the funding of this campaign, we will be able to retire the current mortgage. This will free up funds from debt service, to support the staff and programs that make our congregation the vibrant community it has become. We’re excited to make Kerem Shalom more resilient, to prepare for the future, and better serve our community.
Our hopes are lofty, but as I look at you, I know that we can make it. We already have commitments for almost half our goal. That’s thrilling. You can carry us onward.
When the campaign reaches out to you, answer the call. Literally – answer the call, the campaign committee wants to know what you think and how you want to be involved. Be part of Kerem Shalom’s future.
There is so much in this building, not just at the High Holidays, but every week — Sukkah decorating, Simchat Torah, Hebrew school, Shabbat services, Israel conversations, Walking Groups, Growing Older in Community, LED talks, all sorts of programs.
With your presence, you are building the world we long for, you are bringing the Holy into our lives. Stop – feel – as you enter the building, with our refreshed steps and handrails, in the people around you, in the sight of Rabbi Darby and Molly on the bima, in our teachers at work in the classrooms.
You are part of all this. Today. Every day.
Shana Tova!