Dear Friends,
I am overwhelmed by your response to the opportunity to purchase and to dedicate copies of the new Rabbinical Assembly publication of Mahzor Lev Shalem for our Temple's use in the High Holidays.In just a few short weeks, our members purchased and dedicated to Rodef Sholom Temple well over 350 mahzorim, and with your help we were able to order 500 mahzorim for Rodef Sholom Temple at the pre-publication half price.Yasher koach!

Mahzor Lev Shalem includes a more literal translation than the one we had before alongside the Hebrew prayers including transliteration of the sections that are generally sung by the entire congregation, a column to the right of the page with historical notes on the prayers, and a column to the left of the page with modern meditations and readings.As services progress, we will now be able to delve more deeply into the mysteries of the prayer, to learn more about the context of the development of our prayers, and to glimpse the wisdom of our Sages, even as we hear the familiar melodies and as we sing and participate in the service.Lev Shalem means "a whole heart" or"a heart at peace".It is my hope and prayer that the new Mahzor will help us to enjoy the richness of our traditions and of our prayers with a whole heart and that we will find new and inviting paths to greater inner peace as we come together in prayer.

When the ritual committee first considered the change to the new mahzor, one of the concerns raised was whether we would be "out there" on our own, with a mahzor that would not be used in other Conservative synagogues across the nation.I am happy to report that as of the end of the pre-publication deadline of January 31st, 82,000 mahzorim from over 67 sites were ordered through the United Synagogue Bookstore, which is handling the sale and distribution of Mahzor Lev Shalom for the Rabbinical Assembly.We will not be alone in our use of Mahzor Lev Shalem.We will be, as we have been before, in the forefront of a new and exciting development in the Conservative Movement.

Mahzor Lev Shalem will go a long way to take us to the next level.As a congregation we are "warm and weIcoming" as we should be, thanks to our committees and to our individual volunteers.Hopefully, our efforts in this regard will continue and our door will be open to all who seek Jewish community and extended family.At the same time, at RST we strive to provide a place where people who are searching for real life answers feel they can come, not only to be welcomed, not only to pray, but also to delve into Jewish sources in search of those answers, and to share in Jewish learning and in Jewish discussion. Our education programs, including our religious school, family education and adult education classes already help us to create such an atmosphere.Now Mahzor Lev Shalem will help us to better connect on this level to those seekers who will pray with us during the High Holidays.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a happy Purim and a happy and a kosher Pesach.

Rabbi Gilah Dror