As all of you know, October begins with our observance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, so I would first like to wish each of you a Shanah Tovah Tikateivu. Every year I look forward to reconnecting with you at the High Holy Day services. I actually can see all of your faces from the bima at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, even those of you in the balcony. And as I march with the Torah during the hakafot, I enjoy the hugs and handshakes we share for those brief moments.

But I hope I have the opportunity to speak with all of you personally as we begin this new year together. If you are new to Temple Micah, please introduce yourself to me. I would love to get to know you. If you are truly brave, come and sit in the seats on the bima at MMUMC and we will surely have time to chat. And please consider taking a class, participating in a program, volunteering, as this is the best way to get to know me, the rabbis, Teddy Klaus, Debra Beland and the other members of the temple.

There's still time to get involved in a number of temple programs that are about to start up again in the new year. Two It's a Girl Thing groups (for sixth to ninth graders) meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 16; the Jewish Parenting group meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 20 (babysitting is available), and the New Member Group meets at 7 p.m. that evening for dinner and discussion. Tot Shabbat is at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21 (there will be no potluck dinner that evening). On Nov. 1, we will begin our second Adult B'nai Torah class, at 7 p.m. Please register as soon as possible, or let me know if you would like to participate in a Daytime Hebrew group.

If you have any questions about Temple Micah programs, please email me. I look forward to beginning another enjoyable year with you.

From my family to yours: A happy and healthy New Year.