KA CC Archive Jan 2025

I was introduced this month to a new challenge that people are taking on this year - No Whining January.  Try to get through all of the first month of the year without whining.  The idea being that when you are presented with something that would generally bother you, a time when you would complain about your situation, that in that moment you should look for something positive about it instead of whining.  Instead of saying “ugh, I’m stuck in traffic” one could say “well, I have more time to listen to my favorite podcast or music!”.  Of course, I was introduced to this on the last Sunday of the month so I was a bit behind.  

It also isn’t an idea that is so foreign to us.  While I think that no one could go through life without complaining at least a little bit, we are certainly trained to think with the intention of being grateful.  In Hebrew we call this Hakarat HaTov, recognizing the good.  While we do this in different ways, it is rarely something we make a big deal of since it comes so naturally.  Maybe we get an aliyah and recite a Mi Sheberach prayer for a lifecycle event -  an anniversary or a birthday, an aufruf or becoming a Bar Mitzvah.  Some will bench Gomel, the blessing one says after recovering from an illness.  All of the other good things that happen in our life tend to be celebrated outside our religious life - retirement, promotions at work, new grandchildren, passing a big test, or visiting with family you haven’t seen in a long time.  Why not celebrate it with joy in front of the Torah?

Each Shabbat, usually after the 5th aliyah, we say a Mi Sheberach L’Cholim, a prayer for those who are ill.  We read the list of names that people have submitted, we rise surrounded the care of our community and add those who may be in our thoughts at that moment.  We ask God to bring healing of body and soul as well as to protect those who care for the people who are ill.  

Beginning in Mid-February, we will add another moment.  We will invite anyone who has something happy to announce to stand, to share their happy moments, to celebrate volunteerism, new skills, and excitement in our lives.  We will take a moment in front of the Torah to recognize the good in our lives and have a Mazal Tov moment, a moment to recognize all the good in our lives.

I look forward to celebrating with all of you!

Rabbi Blatt