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Dear Central Great Lakes,
Rosh Hashanah is almost here! Where are you on your Elul journey of reflection and introspection?
According to tradition, during these weeks of Elul, we’re to turn inward and dedicate some serious, quiet moments to looking back on our life. Here, tradition is our spiritual lifeline here as it proposes a way that we can improve our days in the year ahead: we need to unplug, look inward, soul search, and spiritually reboot.
During this “accounting of the soul,” Cheshbon Hanefesh, we revisit how we navigated life’s challenges -- all those twists and turns that were placed in front of us during our personal Back-to-the-Future adventure. We revisit health issues, family issues, deaths, disappointments, loneliness, misunderstandings, and difficult choices. And that’s only the beginning.
We question: What could we have done differently? What roads could we have taken? What could have been if we chose differently? How could we have made the world a better place?
Not an easy task or a smooth journey, and probably the reason why we are given a month to complete!
This journey of teshuvah is very complicated. Looking back, we see how practical circumstances posed unbelievable challenges, many unexpected. However, looking back in this sort of slow time-lapse photography that catches the multi-image movements of our lives, we're jolted with the realization that we are the authors of our lives. And this perspective now drives us to ask, "Where do we go from here?"
This is our Aha flash! As challenging as it is to find any quiet moment for Cheshbon Hanefesh, it’s important to make the effort. It leads us forward.
Within this kaleidoscope of would’ve, should’ve, could’ve, is the opportunity to discover what we can be. Jonathan Sacks, z"l, teaches that Cheshbon Hanefesh provides us with the map for worthy living, helping us to identify what we are doing with our lives and then guiding us to live with purpose.
Through this reflective prism, CGLR is a pathway to living a life of purpose and for being a part of something larger than each of us individually. From the philanthropic work of Torah Fund in support of five Jewish Theological Seminaries around the world and our support of the Shifrah and Puah Maternity Center in Uganda to Women’s League Cares, an initiative to help those in need in Maui, Hawaii and so very much more, there are opportunities to become engaged and involved. You can find out more in this issue of The WAVE (Always a good read!)
Now, as we all begin to create the structure and substance of the year ahead for our CGLR and for our affiliates, we can do so within the parameters of a renewed perspective of who we are individually and collectively -- with an awareness of our value and strength individually, as well as within the dynamic community of an affiliate, and as part of our region.
We are a dynamic force for good for this new year on the horizon. As the leaders that you are, I encourage you to see our work within CGLR as a way make a positive difference.
My personal wish to all of you, the wonderful women of CGLR, is that the year ahead will be filled with endless possibilities for personal growth, fulfillment, and with the laughter and joy that comes from sharing goals and working together to achieve them.
May the work of our hands and our vibrant spirit continue to be a unique blessing to others in 5784.
To you and yours, I wish Shana Tova – a sweet and blessed year.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pam Schlosberg
CGLR President
cglrpresident21@wlcj.org
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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