President’s Message November 2008

L’DOR VADOR, FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, is a basic tenet of Judaism and one of the congregation’s favorite songs. Over the past few weeks it has resonated with me as I observed it in practice in different settings. During our Rosh Hashonah service, the congregation proudly watched as three of our teenagers (now strapping young men) held the Torah and passed it to one another. Until this year, this was an honor given to their parents. It was wonderful to see our senior members kvel as the younger generation accepted their new role in the synagogue with confidence and ease. By always including our youngsters in Saturday services, it was a natural progression for them, from observance to participation, to accepting a major honor. It is how we pass on our heritage to our children.

On Kol Nidre evening, the concept impacted me again as I watched Breanna Goldner play the Kol Nidre on the cello. For its second rendition, Daniel and Sara Shaykevich were on the Bema as their grandfather, Mark Arzon, chanted the symbolic melody we all associate with the evening service. Not only was it a beautiful and meaningful way to begin our observance of Yom Kippur, but it also illustrated how deeply we at B’nai Harim are commited to the practice as well as the concept of L’Dor VaDor.

Shortly after observing the holidays that were conducted so wonderfully by Rabbi Peg assisted by Cantor Roffman, Gene and I headed for a trip to the Carolinas to see family, friends and attend the Bar Mitzvah of the grandson of very dear and longtime friends. On a personal level, the message was there for me once again. Having known the father since he was two (I was at his Bar Mitzvah and wedding) here we were to see and witness his son being called up to the Torah. Yes, he resembles the man I knew and had watched grow up, but he is a blend of not only both parents, but of two families from different parts of the country; their physical traits and value systems. In him, and in all of our children, we pass down to the next generation our Judaic culture and a piece of ourselves to help perpetuate our religion. What a precious legacy to pass on. We pass on material things to our children in our wills, but we instill our beliefs and customs in our children every day.

Anita Schneider