Why does that resonate? Let go and let God — what does it even mean? And why does it offer solace and comfort at this time? I first heard that phrase from Rabbi Gadi during a Lunch and Learn about the Covenant of Abraham. As it replays in my head, the phrase becomes more and more relevant as we approach the high holidays.

During this time of the great pandemic, when we know and accept that this life is not as it was, we ponder what it will be. Even that is an unknown. Let go and let God. Surely, we know this is not business as usual. And yet we have turned that to our advantage. Our shul functions, our services and programs are delivered in new ways. And that wasn’t even part of a grand plan, just simply serendipity. We put our creative heads together and took a leap of faith. As a result, with unexpected intimacy, more shul members and friends than ever are engaged online with Congregation Tifereth Israel. More people than ever before have access to our new razzle-dazzle 2020 Virtual Journal.

As we prepare for a new version and vision of the high holidays, there is a growing and impassioned call for “empathy.” It has become the word of the day. The word of our time. It permeates the air waves, it infiltrates our day-to-day activities, and it guides our shul strategies as we move forward — as we let go and let God.

At the same time, we take action and responsibility for our community and our country. At this time of year, we reflect and we repent. We heed the biblical wake-up call of the shofar and symbolically cast our sins upon the water. L’Shanah Tovah.

—Judith Weiner