Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Echad.
In the sacred words of the Shema, we affirm not only the oneness of God but also the profound interconnectedness of all existence. God is not merely a distant deity; He is the essence of everything, the divine thread that runs through every aspect of our lives. When we truly understand this, we come to realize that we are all part of a greater whole, bound together by our shared humanity and our shared connection to the Divine.
That is why I am excited to invite you to join us for a special community concert for adults and kids on Sunday, March 10, Rosh Chodesh Adar II. This event, organized by Teaneck Together (TeaneckTogether.com) is geared towards bringing the entire Jewish community together and to provide a space where we can enjoy being with each other regardless of religious background. It is more than just a gathering; it is a celebration of us all and a time where we can find our happiness despite what is going on in the world around us. By coming together in this way, we can bridge the gaps that divide us and build a stronger, more cohesive community.
The more we come together, the more we can recognize the oneness of Hashem. In a world that often emphasizes division and discord, it is essential that we actively seek out opportunities for unity and collaboration. When we join together, we can see that our differences are not as significant as we once thought. In fact, we discover that we share deep bonds of kinship and understanding, for we are all children of Hashem, each endowed with a divine spark.
In this week’s parsha, we read about the breaking of the luchot, which could be seen as one of the greatest tragedies in human history. However, we also learn that through this brokenness, there is an opportunity for teshuva, for returning to Hashem and to our true selves. Without the brokenness, we would not have the chance to come back stronger and find something even greater than what was before.
As we navigate the challenges of our world today, let us remember the power of unity and the importance of coming together as a community. As we have seen, when we come together, we can overcome any obstacle and create a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference and build a more inclusive and understanding community.
I would especially like to thank Arzei Darom, Bais Menachem, Beth Aaron, Lev Le’Daas, Netivot, Ohr Saadya, The Jewish Center and Zichron Mordechai for supporting this initiative and recognizing the importance of bringing our community together. It is because of their dedication that we are able to have these events that are open not only to their respective membership but to the community at large.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday March 10 and if you have not yet reserved your spot you can do so at TeaneckTogether.com.
Dr. Josh Schwarzbaum is a transformative coach and a triple board certified physician in emergency medicine, addiction medicine and emergency medical services. You can lean more about him at www.healthyinside.net.
