From Our Inbox

From Our Inbox 

Dear Rabbi Paltiel,

First of all, I want to thank you and tell you how much I enjoyed and found insightful your meaningful Rosh Hashanah services. Last year was the first time that my grown children and I shared the High Holy days with you.

I grew up conservative/ went to Hebrew School at Rego Park Jewish Center in Queens, where my grandparents were founding members.

When we moved to the North Shore in 1987, I chose an area Temple for our family. My children grew up with the school, camp, high school and teen programs. When they were younger we participated year round. Now, we are basically "3 day a year," Passover & Hanukkah Jews.

If just a few years ago, someone would have told me that I would have gone to Chabad for the holidays I would have said, " No way, why would I?"

The " why," is not really that important, or maybe it is, but just "a little."

And if they said that I would enjoy the services without the choir and music, I would have said, " You must be joking, after all, even Rego Park had a small choir; that's the only way I know."

I have to tell you Rabbi Paltiel, that your extraordinary presence/ personality is "louder" than the music at our temple. 

I'll share one more thing... Something that I found very interesting ...

When praying in shul, especially on Yom Kippur, I have always felt a " connection" to all the Jews in the world.

This Rosh Hashanah, praying in your Shul, I suddenly felt a connection to the generations of Jews, in my family, that came before me.

Abruptly, moving on.

In your Chabad calendar, I saw an advertisement for a course "How Happiness Thinks" starting in November. How would I sign up for the course? I did read in your calendar message, that all are welcome to " pick from your Temple programs."

Thank you for your time to read my email and for answering my four questions.

With Esteem,
C.W.L.