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As we prepare to observe the most solemn and sacred day in the Jewish year tomorrow evening and Saturday, it is admittedly difficult to focus on the important, personal work of teshuva that Yom Kippur lays before us. Serious and catastrophic issues call out for our attention from almost every direction:

• Our hearts unquestionably remain in the East as Israel continues her battle against terrorists and enemies whose sole mission is Israel’s destruction on several fronts (Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Iran, and others). As rockets continue to rain down on Israel from Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, as they have by the thousands since October 7, even resulting in the deaths of two civilians in Kiryat Sh’moneh yesterday, we continue to express our firm resolve and solidarity with the people and State of Israel and pray that victory will come speedily and soon in this New Year, and that all who remain in captivity will be returned to their loved ones soon.
• And, there are causes for more proximate which also cry out for our attention and support. By now, most have seen images of the staggering devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene which completely ravaged and destroyed regions of Western North Carolina, parts of Georgia and Florida. Rabbinic colleagues, friends and family members of congregants in Asheville have made it clear that there is still no way to distribute well-intentioned collections of goods to residents in the area at present, thus the way we can truly can be most helpful at this point is through financial contributions.
• Add to this natural disaster the as-of-this-writing unknown degree of destruction that Milton will wreak in Florida where numerous family members and friends live, and we understand further why our attention and spirits are being pulled in so many directions. 

So many among us have expressed the sincere desire to do something, anything, to help our neighbors in desperate straits to the north and the south in the wake of these disasters. Consequently, as we have done in previous instances, we are launching a Disaster Relief Effort to raise funds to be directed to residents of Western North, to the Jewish community of Asheville, and depending upon the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton in the coming days, to residents of Florida in the most hard-hit areas as well.

Even as we prepare our hearts and souls for what I pray will be a meaningful Yom Kippur, I encourage all who are able to make a donation to Support for Hurricane Victims here or through the QR code.  We will ensure that all of the contributed resources go directly to causes that we are confident can put the dollars to best use.  Thank you for your support of those in need.

Brad, Sam, and Beth join me in wishing all who observe the ritual a meaningful fast and the shared hope for everyone that this New Year will be sweeter and more peaceful!

Gmar Chatimah Tovah – May all be sealed for goodness in the Book of Life!