Dear Friends, 
Welcome to 5786! I am privileged, blessed, and overjoyed to step into the new year with all of you.

OUR THEME THIS YEAR IS JOY! 

The state of the world is challenging to say the least. It may seem counter-intuitive, but times like these are exactly when it is critical to seek out and capitalize on anything that brings us joy.*

To the extent that each of us is able, let us challenge ourselves to go out of our way to create, find, and sustain the joys in our lives. It’s not self indulgent or frivolous--it’s essential.

During High Holy Day services, different members of our CBE family will share what brings them joy. If you would like to speak for one minute or less on the bimah about what brings you joy, please let me know asap at cantor@betheltx.org so I can add you to the group! No doubt, it will be a magical and uplifting part of this season.  

ROYAL WEDDING!

One of the greatest JOYs of the lifecycle is a wedding. 
In the final scene of last year’s purimshpiel --fanciful Purim play -- King Achashverosh was so moved by the beauty of Judaism as well as Esther’s and Mordechai’s devotion, that he decided to convert! (Someone recently asked me if that’s true. Nope, I totally made it up. Creative imagining brings me joy!)

So now it’s time for them to renew their vows with a Jewish wedding on April 26, 2026!

In preparation, we are creating a new cover for our CBE chuppah -- wedding canopy. Everyone in our congregation will be invited to sign their name (parents sign for littles) on a cloth that will become our new chuppah cover. The Religious School kids who were here on the first day of school have already signed their names!

The cover will be displayed for signing during the High Holy Days, Chanukah, and other times when we gather together in larger numbers. 

The goal is to embroider everyone’s name to create a beautiful tapestry of our community. Anyone who would like to help with the embroidery is welcome--we’ll even have lessons!

We will display the cover in the building, and as more folks join our congregation, they can add their signature -- a beautiful, ever-growing symbol of our interwoven ties to each other.

That’s what it’s all about--our community, our relationships, our common values, our interconnectedness, our reliance on each other, our commitment to personal growth and to the growth in so many ways of our sacred community.

Shanah tovah and Chag sameach
a good year and joyous holiday to all of us!

Cantor Waghalter, Dave, and Zev

*Something to keep in mind: Seeking and reveling in joy does not come easily to all of us. That task may be too much for those of us struggling with difficult circumstances. 

Several years ago, I spoke on the dangers of toxic positivity. Toxic positivity says “only good vibes” “Always look on the bright side of life” and doesn’t allow for negative and troubling emotions. 

Our emphasis on joy this year is not meant to exclude difficult emotions or expect everyone to “put on a happy face”. It’s about doing our best to nurture ourselves and others so that we can create the space we need for joy. It’s ok if you’re not feeling it. And remember, I am here to walk with you through difficult times   CW