This month is one giant "shehechiyanu moment" for me. I am filled with joy, gratitude and pride to be the new senior rabbi of Temple Sinai. I am especially grateful to Rabbi Reiner and humbled to join him and the distinguished rabbis who have served in this position be-fore me: Rabbis Brickner and Lipman, may their memories be a blessing and inspiration. Thank you to Rabbis Mindy Portnoy and Jessica Oleon, Cantor Laura Croen, Ellen Agler, Jill Stepak, Perri Iger-Silversmith, Robyn Helzner, Marna Barany and all the temple staff. They make up one of the finest synagogue leadership teams I know and I count myself lucky to be part of it. Thanks, of course, to Andrew Engel, Rosann Wisman, Bob Litt and all the members of the Search Committee and the Temple Board. I would not be here without your trust and sup-port. Special thanks to Nancy Liebermann and all the members of the Transition Committee. My first weeks at Sinai have been great thanks to you.

Nothing, however, is more important to me than you – the members, friends and families of Temple Sinai. My primary goal for this first year is to build meaningful relationships with you. At the core of any vibrant syna-gogue are people connected to each other. Each of us needs a place where we find support in difficult times, elevate joy in the best times, and join with others to share the traditions of Torah. This process begins with small and easy steps. Please be sure to say hello when you see me, introduce yourself and keep reminding me of your name even if we’ve met before. I encourage you to join me at one of the summer "neighborhood gath-erings" designed for more intimate meetings. Let’s pray and learn together at Shabbat services and Torah study throughout the year. I also have some loftier goals for us: that our engagement with the temple and each other should leave us feeling better, happier and more hopeful; that our connections to Torah, God, and Israel are strengthened; and we see the world improved because of our actions. I know how well Temple Sinai has served the Jewish community of greater Washington since our founders first gathered in 1951. I also know that together we will make those goals into a reality for decades to come.

The shehechiyanu blessing is so fitting for this occasion because, according to one of the Talmudic sages, it cov-ers both special moments in time and relationships that bring us joy. This is a time of new beginnings and great transition but it is also a time to celebrate the lasting, good relationships upon which our temple commu-nity stands. It is a "shehechiyanu moment."

My wife, Elizabeth, and our sons, Noah and Ariel, thank you for welcoming us so warmly and for inviting us to join you at Sinai.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higiyanu lazman ha-zeh. Blessed are you Adonai our God, sovereign of the universe for keeping us alive, sustaining us and bringing us to this moment.

-Rabbi Jonathan Roos