At our Shabbat service in January, we will honor the Board of Directors of this venerable institution. Our congregation has been successful over the years in attracting talented individuals to come forward and contribute not only personal resources but more importantly, personal commitment. It takes a great deal of effort, time and money to ensure growth, stability and continuity, not only for our synagogue but for our community as well.

But the real essence of our thriving continuity is our understanding of the meaning of the conduct that is required to achieve and maintain this camaraderie: It is called the importance of words.

All too often we say things we do not mean or say things that are mean. Sometimes we talk and do not realize that what we say can be hurtful. Words are important in the scheme of things. For example, the power of words brought the world into being. Creation occurred because “God said.” We too have the power to create with word – a Great Society, a great life, a great community and a great congregation, which is a vital part of this community.

That is what leadership is all about: listening and then saying what is beneficial to all. We listen to hear what is being said, how people feel and think. Then we respond – we talk to one another, fully cognizant of the impact our words have. To be a leader in the community or right here in our own congregation requires patience. We, the leaders, need to remember that our words can and should bring about the caring and loving that we display day in and day out. Our lives and our future depend on these words.

And above all we need to remember that our words are very dear to God who listens to our prayers, listens to our wants and knows our likes and dislikes. And if we falter, it is not God who has caused faltering, but rather we, because of words that sometimes do not matter, because we sometimes lose sight of our responsibilities toward one another.

So yes, the chosen leaders of Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation deserve our gratitude for their pledge of service. We are grateful for their willingness to step up to the plate, as the saying goes. I wish there were more of us that had the same courage and strength. We may be getting older but also maybe a little lazier.

As we go forward from this place to face another year, let us remember what the Midrash says: Perhaps in the coming world we will be asked as to what kind of person we have been and we can answer (with pride that we were not like anyone else) that we were ourselves. That is all we can ask of each other – to be ourselves. And then we will be able to be objective and continue to be caring, which is what makes us so unique.