This past Friday (9 of Elul) was my dad’s twelfth Yahrzeit. It’s amazing how quickly time goes, though his memory does not dim. My dad died during the Hebrew month of Elul, the month we begin reciting Psalm 27 in preparation for the holiday season.

One line in this psalm took on an entirely new meaning since his death and the passing of my mom two years before his – “Though my father and mother leave me, the Lord will care for me.” Every single time I recite these words, I am moved by them. They are a poignant reminder that I am now parentless. I lost my parents when they were still relatively young. Some of my dear friends have lost their parents at much older ages, and still, for them, too soon. No matter the age, we are changed by that reality of losing a parent.

This line also moves me because it is an affirmation that even when our parents are gone, we are not alone. The Psalmist reminds us that God is there for us when we let him in. For me, it goes even further than God’s presence. I am ultimately drawn to the reality that I am not alone because I have a wonderfully loving and caring wife and beautiful children and grandchildren. How can I ever feel uncared for or alone when I am surrounded by such a family?

And it is not only my family. I am also lucky enough to be surrounded by dear and special friends and caring communities both in Schechter Bergen and in Teaneck. Creating a caring community at Schechter Bergen is part of who we are and is reflected in our core value of Kehillah Kedosha - “We create a sacred community of students, families, and educators based on a shared commitment to each other and to Jewish life and learning. We promote positive, healthy relationships in an environment of mutual respect.”

You can see our Kehillah Kedosha in action in many ways. In fact, I have already witnessed it in action during this first week of school. I have observed students reach out and befriend new students, making sure they know where to go and helping them adjust to a new environment and new routines. I have observed teachers patiently and lovingly help young children acclimate to new expectations. I observed the Kavod (respect) our Seventh- and Eighth-Grade students show to Morah Ricky as she recites the Mourner’s Kaddish in Tefillah and the respect I personally felt doing the same on my father’s Yahrzeit...these are just the moments I have observed this week and with my own eyes.

I also had the pleasure of receiving a note from an Eighth-Grade parent that shared with me how wonderfully our students acted at a recent party. The employees at the venue commented that they never saw such a respectful group of kids, including their willingness and helpfulness in cleaning up after the party. Similarly, just this past Sunday another Eighth-Grade parent reached out to share how overwhelmed they were by the outreach and kindness of the staff and fellow parents in our community, after their son broke his arm at school.

I know that as the year progresses I will collect even more examples of how being a Kehillah Kedosha comes alive everyday through the actions and words of our students, staff and parents.

I recently came upon this quote: “A healthy social life is found only, when in the mirror of each soul, the whole community finds its reflection, and when in the whole community, the virtue of each one is living!”

As we approach the Hagim and begin a promising and wonderful new school year, let us all work together in supporting and enhancing our sacred and caring Schechter Bergen community for our children and for all of us - And let the best of our Kehillah (community) be reflected in each one of us and all of us together!