Sun’s Renewal

Today marks a rare moment in time – one that no one alive will experience again. It is the 14th of Nissan, the eve of Passover, a full moon, all of which represent the beginning of spring and the renewal of life. The 14th of Nissan comes around every year.
Today is also the day we celebrate the return of the sun to its place in the heavens at the precise time of creation – Birkat HaHammah, Blessing of the Sun. On Birkat HaHammah, we set aside time to appreciate the gift of the Sun and all life that comes from its energy. This day happens once every 28 years.
Tradition states that the confluence of these dates, this particular arrangement of the cosmos, has happened only twice before: first, when the Israelites emerged from the bondage of Egypt to become a People; second, when they were saved from the evils of persecution under Haman.
On this day of celebrating new beginnings, beginnings of natural life cycles, solar capabilities and the Jewish people, I, too, celebrate a new beginning.
Over the past two and a half years I have had the honor and privilege of journeying with the Jewish community as we seek to become true stewards of the Earth working to fix the world we have been destroying. Though I continue on this personal and communal journey of sustainability, I will no longer be doing so with COEJL.
This morning I had the privilege of waking up at dawn to watch the sun rise above the Long Island Sound, and for the first time in my life recite two blessings, neither of which is unique, but together, marked at extraordinary powers and potential of the day.
For Birkat HaHammah (and natural wonders like lightning and grand vistas) we say:
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the Universe, who does the works of creation (also can be translated as beginnings) - oseh ma-aseh bereishit.
For the wonders of this moment (and any firsts) we say:
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the Universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this sacred moment - shehechiyanu, v’kiemanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.
This morning, these blessings were filled with the moment, thoughts of the past years at COEJL and the hopes of the years to come. I thank each of you for journeying with me on this mission and sustaining me in this sacred work. The wonders of this world are the constant moments of renewal and birth. Today, Jewish tradition encourages us to celebrate this with the hopes of spring and the renewable energies of the sun. May all of our beginnings commence with the powers of this day.



the bins downstairs, but unlike cities like 



