Showing Up, Stepping Up, and Going Forth
Mark First
Kol Nidrei Address 2024
Thank you, Rabbi,
Shabbat Shalom and Good Yuntif –
At a planning session one year ago, the senior leadership of Park Avenue Synagogue sat together dreaming about the future of this institution. And why not? It was the first year in more than a decade where there were no open clergy or senior staff positions, no ongoing construction projects, no COVID or second-order consequences from it, and no lay leadership transition. We had overcome our biggest challenge of the several years before as the community was showing up in person following COVID. The High Holidays had been a success, and everything pointed towards this past year being one focused on playing offense and creating our future … and then October 7th happened … and everything changed.
Israel was – and sadly still is – at war; the atrocities of October 7th are still vivid in our minds; Israel’s war was now with enemies from outside her borders, and very quickly the battles expanded to our own communities right here in New York City and across the country; uncertainties and emotional struggles remain to this day. Not only would our longer-term plans have to wait, but we at Park Avenue had to pivot. The needs of our community had changed, and we needed to respond. Our community was showing up in record numbers – for Shabbat services, invited guest speakers, travel – in fact, you showed up for everything – both in person and online! People needed to be together – for understanding, comfort and companionship, spirituality and prayer, and for hope. And it was Park Avenue Synagogue where you chose to show up!
It was not the first time in our 142-year history that there was war in Israel or adversity in our own streets, so your current leadership gained inspiration from those who came before us – and we powered on. So, how did we do it? Four ways, each beginning with the letter “R”…
First, Resilience: We did not panic, we compartmentalized our emotions, and we reprioritized our efforts. The clergy and staff acted with professionalism, excellence and compassion to support our community – even while they were – and still are – dealing with the struggles of their own families and friends in Israel. And the lay leadership of the synagogue showed up as well. Many thanks to our Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, Committee and ARMS chairs, and my Officer partners – Erica Friedman, Paula Gendel, Lauren Klein, Melissa Raskin, Stefanie Katz Rothman, Andrew Siegel, and our President, Lizzy Markus. Thank you for everything you do on behalf of PAS.
Second, Resources: Our superb administrative team led by Executive Director Valerie Russo worked tirelessly to respond to the last-minute programming additions and changes, to accommodate the greatly increased community attendance, to keep our facilities clean, and to make Park Avenue a sanctuary of safety in a world that did not – and does not – always feel so safe. All of this while keeping the regular operations of the synagogue running smoothly. Many thanks, Valerie, to you and your team.
Third, Resourcefulness: Our programming and clergy teams pivoted programming content to address the issues of the day. We added conversation and counseling sessions ranging from understanding the history of the conflict in the Middle East to helping people work through their emotions and struggles. Our rabbis added prayers to services and have not stopped helping us understand, while our cantors provided us inspiration and adapted their selection of music to reflect the moment. We are blessed to have such amazing clergy – including our Rabbinic team led by Rabbi Cosgrove, and with Rabbis Zuckerman, Zauzmer, Koffman, Solmsen, and Pink; and our Cantorial team led by Cantor Schwartz, and with Cantors Davis, Reisner, and Fox. Thank you for leading us intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.
And fourth, we served as a welcoming and inclusive place where congregants could not only be together, but hear, share, and understand different perspectives of the many complex and complicated issues that we face – and participate in civil discourse with the fourth R … Respect. I believe it is respect that is at the center of what makes our community show up, care, support, and thrive during these challenging times.
But our community went well beyond just showing up … you stepped up … we weren’t just physically present, but we also were emotionally connected and engaged. We asked how we could help each other, think beyond our regular programming and provide support to those in Israel ... and we acted with fervor.
Rabbi Solmsen led efforts to help our youth and their parents deal with the rising and prevalent antisemitism, hosting sessions at PAS as well as in our private school communities. Rabbi Cosgrove was out in front leading the conversation in the broader Jewish community … and no one will forget his call to action for this community to support Israel through UJA’s Israel at War campaign – in one week raising well in excess of his $18-million initial target. Rabbi Cosgrove, we are blessed to have you leading our congregation – all of the time and at every time, but especially “For Such a Time as This.” Thank you, Rabbi Cosgrove!
And our community stepped up as well. In addition to your financial support, we supported Israel with duffle bags of socks, uniforms for troops, and in more ways than I have time to mention. And stepped up by selling out two solidarity missions to show our community’s support for and commitment to Israel and Israelis. And in recognition of the one-year anniversary of October 7th, we are leading a “Resilience and Hope” trip to Israel. Registrations have been strong, but there are some spaces available if you are interested.
Here at home, you also stepped up in support of our annual Kol Nidrei Appeal. We exist for, and because of, you, our members, and your support is critical to PAS being able to offer our extensive amount of quality services and programming and to do so in a safe and comforting way … and at times like these, the demands and needs are greater, not less. Thank you in advance for supporting our Kol Nidrei Appeal again! And thank you to our many online community members who pray, learn, sing, and think with us from afar … please support us by clicking on the donate button on the website – again or for the first time. Thank you!
Which reminds me of a story of a synagogue that had never received a donation from one of its wealthiest members, Mr. LoNotain. So, the Rabbi called Mr. LoNotain and said, “I see your business is doing very well, and our records show that you have never donated to the synagogue.” The Rabbi asked if he would like to change that. The wealthy man replied, “Well, if you did so much research on me, did it show that my mother is quite ill with very large medical bills? And did it show that my brother is unemployed? And that my sister is broke and a single parent with four children?” With great embarrassment, the Rabbi replied, “I’m so sorry, I had no idea …,” to which Mr. LoNotain said, “Well that’s the situation … and if I don’t give to any of them, why would I give to you?”
Fortunately for us, we do not have any Mr. LoNotains in our midst – quite the opposite, we have a very generous and giving community. Thank you – we are incredibly grateful!
So, as we begin this new year, we remain burdened and saddened by the war in Israel and much of what is going on around us. We will continue to support Israel … and at the same time, we will continue to be responsive to the needs of our community … as well as continue to look forward. Park Avenue Synagogue is our sanctuary here at home, a guiding light to help so many of us through these challenging times. We are thought leaders, providing a place for important national conversations about all things Jewish. We are leaders delivering spirituality through our excellence in music. And we will continue to create the synagogue of the future, one that is welcoming, inclusive, and helps our members continue to live meaningful Jewish lives.
And beyond the programmatic, there is also the physical. We just completed the installation of a new sound system in the sanctuary, thanks to the generosity of a beloved congregant, Zina Stern. Thank you, Zina, … because of your support – in memory of your beloved Ernie -- everyone can now hear the beautiful music and inspiring words.
And we are evaluating a refresh of our almost 100-year-old sanctuary. The time has come for this planned second phase of our campus project began almost 10 years ago. This sacred and traditional space – one filled with history and memory, and the place where our community convenes to share moments of happiness, sorrow, and everything in between … should again shine.
Which reminds me of another story …
A visitor to Israel attended a concert at the Moscovitz Auditorium. He was very impressed with the architecture and the acoustics and asked the tour guide, "Is this beautiful auditorium named after Chaim Moscovitz, the famous Talmudic scholar?" "No," said the guide. "It is named after Sam Moscovitz, the writer." “Never heard of him," said the visitor. "What did he write?" "A check," replied the guide.
We happily accept checks, cash, credit cards, wires, gold bars – you name it!
So, as we all continue on our Jewish journeys and continue to navigate the challenges of the world around us, I ask all of you to please keep showing up and please keep stepping up … and we will continue doing our best to keep Park Avenue Synagogue as the amazing community that it is.
On behalf of the Officers and Board of Trustees of our Synagogue, I wish everyone a Shanah tovah u-metukah, a good and sweet year, and gmar chatima tovah, may you be written and sealed in the Book of Life. And I pray for a year of health and peace for you and your families, for our brothers and sisters in Israel, and for Israel herself.
Shabbat Shalom and Good Yuntif