CBE President: Today the World is Born Anew

This article first appeared in our Aug/Sept '26 edition of The Bulletin

“Hayom Harat Olam” - Today the world is born anew.

These beautiful words from our High Holy Day liturgy remind us that each New Year offers the gift of a fresh beginning. As summer gives way to autumn, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on where we have been, celebrate all we have accomplished together, and look ahead with hope and purpose to the year that lies before us.

While many of us have enjoyed time with family and friends over the summer, the work of Congregation Beth Emeth has continued. At the beginning of August, our Board of Trustees and Mission, Vision, and Values Task Force will gather for our annual Board Retreat. Guided by our consultants, we will spend the afternoon working together to refine our goals and priorities for the future of our congregation. This important process has been strengthened by the ideas and participation of so many members of our Beth Emeth family, and I am grateful to everyone who has shared their time, insights, and commitment. Together, we are creating a roadmap that will guide our congregation for years to come.

This High Holy Day season also brings another exciting milestone. We anticipate the completion of our new HVAC system, making our sanctuary and building more comfortable for worship and celebration. This important improvement is one more example of our commitment to caring for our congregation and ensuring that our sacred spaces continue to serve our community for generations to come.

As we gather for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will once again experience the power of praying together, hearing the sound of the shofar, and reconnecting with friends old and new. Whether you are a familiar face each week or returning after some time away, know that you are an important part of our Congregation Beth Emeth family. The High Holy Days remind us that we are strongest when we come together - in prayer, in learning, in acts of kindness, and in service to one another.

The strength of Beth Emeth has always been found in its people. Every volunteer, every committee member, every teacher, every usher, every choir member, every donor, and every congregant who extends a warm welcome helps create the caring and vibrant community we cherish. If you’ve been thinking about becoming more involved, I encourage you to take that first step this year. There are countless ways to share your talents and make a difference, and together we will continue building a congregation that is welcoming, compassionate, and engaged.

As I begin my second year serving as your president, I remain deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me and inspired by the dedication of our clergy, staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees, and each member of our congregation. It is truly an honor to serve alongside all of you as we continue writing the next chapter in the story of Congregation Beth Emeth.

As we welcome 5787, may it be a year of peace, good health, hope, and blessing for each of us, for our congregation, for the Jewish people, and for all who seek a more compassionate and peaceful world. May we continue to grow in faith, strengthen the bonds of our Beth Emeth family, and embrace the opportunities before us with open hearts and renewed purpose.

On behalf of my family and me, I wish each of you and your loved ones a sweet, healthy, and joyful New Year. May you be inscribed and sealed for a year filled with happiness, meaning, and countless blessings.

L’Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!

Robin Sobol, CBE President