It's a beautiful time in the Christian calendar, a time when we linger over the Light that has come into the world. With candles lit each week of Advent, we've together ritualized our anticipation of the coming Christ, and of the hope, peace, joy and love that characterizes His presence. Yes, the presents are unwrapped. Visiting family members have likely gone back home. We're back to familiar routines... and yet the Light! It's still here for us.

I would begin my note this Sabbath by thanking you all for your faithful participation in Hollywood this past year. Despite the departure of Pastor Branden last Fall, your leadership rose to the occasion, and worked through months of intervening space and time before I was appointed Interim Pastor in March. We all worked through the uncertainties of process, and I want to thank you for choosing us as we chose you! Jill and I have loved our year here!

We live in increasingly dangerous times, with social, political, and religious tensions growing globally. Antisemitism is on the rise in the U.S., with 2024 holding the record for the most reported antisemitic incidents. The Anti-Defamation League shows an 893% increase in these incidents over the past decade.