Dear Addlestone Community,

In the South, we know fall has arrived when college football returns. In Texas, however, there are 3 seasons:  (i) football season; (ii) spring football season; and (iii) recruiting. Familiar traditions resume, and communities gather again around something they have anticipated all year.

Our Addlestone community is a little different. Life is more than a tailgate. Our “season,” which began with the start of school, is also marked by the approach of the High Holidays and the traditions that bring us together each year. In many synagogues, we have been blowing the shofar since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Ellul to announce that the High Holidays are coming. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur give us an opportunity to step away from the regular pace of our lives and focus on what matters most—how we live our values, the strength of our families and community, and the example we set for our children. The shofar and the holidays call us to reflect on the year behind us and consider with intention the year ahead. Introspection is generally a good thing, but we are reminded that we are very much part of a community.

At Addlestone, that sense of tradition and responsibility is particularly important. Our school exists not simply to educate our children but to help ensure that Jewish values, identity, and community remain strong from one generation to the next. The High Holidays are a powerful reminder of both that responsibility and that privilege. We serve a lot more at our “tailgates” than apples and honey; we provide the opportunity to reflect on our values, especially the ones we teach at Addlestone, and consider how to implement them in our lives during the coming year. 

As we enter the High Holiday season, I hope each of you finds meaningful time for reflection, renewal, family, and community—with some time to enjoy the familiar traditions of football season as well. May the rituals of this season remind us of the values and relationships that endure well beyond it.

In recognition of the High Holidays, we will take a brief pause from our regular Board emails and resume them next month.

May the year ahead be one of health, happiness, purpose, and peace for you and your families, and for our entire Addlestone community.

L’Shanah Tovah,

Morris Ellison