Rabbi Strauchler's Message

The Jewish people have a revolutionary message: God cares about our actions and we can change God’s will with our conduct. This message is most clear on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. If we pray harder, give more charity, repent more earnestly – we can change an evil decree to good.

Let’s approach the new year with this in mind. We have the power to make our ritual, professional and personal lives matter; we have the ability to make Israel and the Jewish people matter.

Shaarei Shomayim is a place where we can accomplish this. This is our spiritual home, and it is here that we may realize our potential as individuals and as a people. Our synagogue is where that the idea of God, embodied by the Torah comes to life.

Avital and I wish you a shana tova umetuka, a sweet and good new year, and a ktiva vechatima tova, a good decree from God for the coming year.

President Brian Lass' Message

Leading a community is awesome and humbling at the same time, especially at the High Holidays. Humbling, because this is such a great institution and I have a very very small part. I am surrounded by wonderful people and it is awesome to see their great and ongoing contributions. It is the tremendous and often invisible work of our volunteers, board members, officers and professional staff at Shaarei Shomayim that makes our shul work, and makes our shul our home.
 
I hope you’ve noticed some of our exciting new initiatives: our updated logo, the big blue sign on the side of the shul, and the CJN ads. Please let us know what you think. Your opinion matters! Tell us where you think we’re doing great work. Tell us where you can help in continuing our work to grow and to meet the needs of all our members. Shaarei Shomayim is where you matter.
 
Brenda and I, Melissa, Jordan & Shira wish you a Shana Tova, a year of health and happiness.