Rabbi's Blog

It is easy to focus on the big moments in life, like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and forget that G-d is present in our everyday lives as well. Yet, when we take the time to slow down and pay attention, we can see G-d's hand in everything; from a chance encounter with a friend to a beautiful sunset.

This week I am reflecting on the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A time when we are in limbo, waiting for our verdict from G-d which happens on Yom Kippur. This is a time when our relationship with G-d is at its strongest.

It is clear how G-d guided my steps this week. I went to talk to the school board about keeping Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as days off (Please fill out the survey here). I also spoke to the Great Wolf Lodge about getting a sukkah for their Jewish clientele. Neither meeting was on my calendar. However, G-d guided me to end up there. These are two very different things, but both show that G-d is working in my life, even in the small and seemingly insignificant moments.

It’s important to work on seeing G-d in the ordinary. It is a reminder that G-d is always with us, even when we don't feel it. And it is a challenge to us to be open to G-d's guidance in every aspect of our lives.

As you reflect on your life, try to see where G-d has been leading you. Be grateful for the many ways that G-d has blessed you (and challenged you), both big and small.

I am writing this in a coffee shop, where I didn't plan on being, waiting for a flight to arrive. Why? Hashem wanted me here!

Do you sometimes see G-d in the mundane, simple parts of life?

That is what I am reflecting on these days. What are you reflecting on?

Have a good Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

A bee is a little insect, and it's not considered "kosher", however on the special day of Rosh Hashanah, we eat honey that comes from bees.

Sometimes in life, we do things that aren't so good, like the non-kosher bee. And sometimes, we have tough experiences that feel like stings too. But just like we use bees to make sweet kosher honey, we can turn those not-so-good things into something sweet.

On Rosh Hashanah, we try to become our best selves, like going back to our true and good inner selves. We talk to G-d and say, "If I did things that weren't so good, help me transform them into something sweet like honey." And we also say, "If life gave me tough times, I'll try my best to make them better, just like turning stings into honey."

There's a lady in our community who lost her job, and it was really hard for her. But after a little while, she saw that losing her job might have actually been a good thing. She became calmer and happier. She started doing things she loved, like spending time with her family, helping others, and enjoying hobbies she had forgotten. She also spent more time thinking about and talking to G-d.

We hope that we won't have to deal with bad things or stings in the coming year. But if we do, we hope we can turn them into something sweet, like a strong connection with G-d.

We send our best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year that's full of sweetness.

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman