It has been an exciting summer, topped off with Camp Or L’Dor our Ruach Israel – New England Messianic Jewish Council teen camp. What a mechiah (a blessing) it was! Twenty-eight teens from as far away as California and Brazil spent a week together enjoying the outdoors and one another under the attentive spiritual leadership of Sid and Diane Cohen, Nathan and Raina Joiner, Becky Ziino and others. The camp was a triumph in every respect. The staff deserves our sincere applause for what they were able to accomplish in the lives of these young ones for the sake of Messiah’s kingdom.

But now it is time to look forward to the next year in the Jewish calendar 5711 which begins on Rosh Ha Shanah, Sept 9th.

I see a challenging time for the United States and the world this coming year – a very challenging time. But, I also see great potential blessing for our Ruach Israel community and for people everywhere who have the spiritual eyes to see what the God of Israel is doing in his subtle, but profoundly powerful way. Some specifics here at Ruach Israel:

On the educational front, I anticipate a year when our children continue to develop their abilities to memorize passages of Scripture, thus allowing the truths of Torah to penetrate deeply into their welcoming souls. I see a year when Yeshua – his magnificent person and his work as the quintessential Eved Adonai – the Servant of the Lord – is more deeply integrated into the Jewish rhythms of our educational program. God will surely smile on our efforts here. Our new Director of Education, Mark Seide, will lead us forward in these and other initiatives, focusing and unifying our educational program.

On the liturgical front, I see our musical dimension developing new and creative elements to help us all enter the presence of our King with greater kavanah (intentionality and inner passion). Senior Cantor Phil Bromwell, Dave Nichol and Cantor Ben Ehrenfeld are key players here.

As for outreach, I see our integration into Jewish communal life in New England and beyond gaining momentum. Surely, our summer camp experience and Ruach’s new relationship with Christians and Jews United for Israel give evidence of this wonderful trend.

Regarding congregational leadership, Nathan Joiner will, God willing, soon become Ruach Israel’s first Assistant to the Rabbi. This vitally important role is the step just before Smichah (ordination), which will qualify Nathan as a rabbi in our community. We all know what a blessing Nathan and Raina have already become to our synagogue community.

Yes, the coming year may bring great challenges both nationally and internationally. But at Ruach Israel we share a great truth – a truth worth celebrating every day of our lives together. That truth is simply this…

There is a great God – the God of Israel – who loves his creation so much that he got personally involved in making right the dismal ecological, social and political situation we have created here on planet Earth. And we, his people Israel, along with all who love Him, are his junior partners in fulfilling his plan through the power of the Risen One, our brother, our friend and our King - Messiah Yeshua.

L’shanah tovah!

Rabbi Rich Nichol