What did the reporter say?
Is it time to worry?
What about the “Winds of Change?”
The Scorpions’ words echo in my aching head.

Breathe, Love, Remember, Hope.
Words that are supposed to give comfort.
What is happening out there?
Israel? Ukraine? USA?

Words have power - but so do actions.
Both can be harmful; Both can be helpful.
Words and Actions can build or destroy.
The words of Pastor Martin Niemoller echo in my aching head.

I would like to pick up the phone and call someone…
God? Would you answer?

Trying to focus on writing my Rosh Hashanah sermons
I am alerted by an email
A new appointment
Day - blank
Time - blank
Location - blank
Memo - Unknown

I logged onto Calendly for some clarification
No new appointment appeared
And yet, another email…
Another new appointment
Day - Every day
Time - All the time
Location - Everywhere
Memo - Keep on…

Again, I looked at Calendly for answers
There, the appointment showed up
However, The return email was blank
The name was blank
I closed my eyes, confused and unsure.

Then it came to me - focus, think, reflect
Coming into focus - not easy these days
Was the following word:
Hope.

Today, tomorrow, every day afterwards - Hope.
When I am not able to focus - Hope.
As the days drudge along - Hope.
Tikvah. Hope.

​Today, I decided to close my eyes and picture Gan Eden.
What did I see? Total darkness.
I could hear no sounds…it was as if nothing existed.
Then, a light appeared - a hand reached out to me.
No matter how hard I tried, I could not reach it.
It was out of reach - but I knew it was there.
I wanted to find something, see something, hear something.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the rain falling outside.
The noise of the world was all that I could hear:
Distractions, distractions, distractions.

Shabbat is here - time for rest, reflection and refresh.
What if I am unable to focus?
The day moves along, regardless.

It is time to turn my attention to today.
The weight of the world and my worries must be shared.
My community gives me strength.