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“The test of faith is whether I can make space for difference. Can I recognize God's image in someone who is not in my image, whose language, faith, ideal, are different from mine? If I cannot, then I have made God in my image instead of allowing him to remake me in his.” —-Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory.

During this High Holy day season, we do what we always do: we reflect on the past year, we assess how we did, and we resolve to do better. It’s never easy because despite our best efforts we come up short. We’re human. But we know that when we are truly contrite and committed to improving ourselves that G-d will forgive us and give us another chance to make ourselves and the world a better place. A place that makes space for differences, according to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l.

At Beth Shalom, giving space for differences is one of our nicest qualities, in my opinion. I believe our diversity lies at the heart of our character as a congregation. We don’t all look alike or behave the same way or belong to the same political party or live in the same size home. We aren’t all Jews by birth or Jews who believe the same things or follow the same rules. The space we give each other to be who we are allows G-d to remake us in G-d’s image. Or, in my words, for G-d to live within us and (by extension) to live at Beth Shalom.

I feel our greatest strength as a congregation is our diversity. We treat everyone equally (no privileged High Holy day seats) which demonstrates to ourselves and to G-d that we are all equal here on Earth and in G-d’s eyes. May our character as a congregation that includes everyone and celebrates our differences continue to define us. And for year 5786, may we all be written in the book of life for good health, happiness, and prosperity.