This Rosh Hashanah is like no other. I am in my apartment in Chiang Mai, Thailand, observing via Zoom with my hometown congregation at B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston, West Virginia. COVID-19 has changed everything. 

Reflecting on the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement, I realize I have not been with my family during this time since 2014. Where have I been?

2014 - Charleston
2015 - Paris
2016 - Chiang Mai
2017 - Bangkok
2018 - Chiang Mai
2019 - Budapest
2020 - Chiang Mai

Being in a time zone that is eleven hours ahead means I join the evening service at 4:45 a.m. and the morning service at 8:00 p.m. For the first time in six years, I see familiar faces, hear familiar voices, and understand the sermon. Although far away, I feel connected to a place I once called home, and to a congregation, I consider family. 

On the homepage of B'nai Jacob Synagogue's website Rabbi Victor Urecki writes: 

"A Thought For Rosh Hashana"

On Rosh Hashana, we read
the story of the Binding of Isaac.

I cannot help but recall the powerful story
told by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
when he, as a boy of just 7-year-old,
heard the Akeda story for the first time.

He recalls how his own heart beat faster
as he heard his rabbi tell the story of Isaac going
up to Mount Moriah with his father.
As Isaac was placed on the altar,
bound, and about to be sacrificed,
Heschel's heart froze with terror as
he worried for the safety of Isaac.

When Abraham lifted the knife, 7 year old
Heschel almost couldn't take it anymore.
Finally, when the the voice of the angel said:
"Abraham, do lay not a hand upon the lad,
for now I know that you revere G-d,"
young Heschel started to cry.

His rabbi asked him:
Why are you crying? Isaac was saved!"

Heschel said through his tears:
"But, Rabbi, what if the angel got there late?"

His Rabbi smiled and calmly told
him that angels never come late.

Heschel uses that story to teach us
that while angels never get there late,
we human beings are often too late.

And we have to live with that for the rest of our lives.

As we begin a new year,
who have you been meaning to call,
but just haven't gotten around to it yet?

What person have you not told in the most meaningful
of ways that you love them and care for them?

What cause have you wanted to be involved in
but continue to say "one day..."?

What charity has needed your help
but the envelope remains on your desk?

What needs to be done to make a difference in our
world, but you just keep waiting for someone to step
forward first?

Angels are never too late.

Human beings are often too late.

And we regret it for the rest of our lives.

Let us make this year one where we never have to say: I
was too late.

Shana Tova U'mtuka

Rosh Hashanah: A Special Time
To Reflect | To Seek Forgiveness | To Embrace Life