During the Jewish High Holidays, one of the most powerful and sobering prayers we recite is Un’taneh Tokef. The traditional text reminds us that so much of what will happen in the year ahead is beyond our control. It is a prayer that confronts us with uncertainty and vulnerability.
While at Temple Israel in Natick, MA earlier this week, I was introduced to Rabbi Joseph Meszler’s alternate version of Un’taneh Tokef in which he reframes the prayer in a way that felt deeply relevant to both my personal life and the work we do at the JCC. Rabbi Meszler states:
“We still write our own Book of Life,
and our actions are the words in it…
and nothing goes unrecorded, ever.
Every deed counts.
Everything you do matters.”
Where the traditional text emphasizes fate, Rabbi Meszler emphasizes choice and responsibility. We may not control every circumstance, but we do shape meaning through our actions, relationships, and commitments.
This idea reminds me of one of my favorite books, The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. The authors explore how certain experiences stand out in our lives – defining moments that create lasting memories and shape who we are. These moments rarely happen by accident. They’re built with intention; by noticing, by elevating the ordinary, and by seizing opportunities to create meaning.
That’s what we do at the JCC. Every program, every class, every act of care or kindness we extend is more than just an interaction. It’s a potential moment. A moment that can lift someone’s spirit, foster belonging, or inspire growth. Rabbi Meszler’s teaching shifts us from a passive mindset and questioning whether our actions matter at all to an active mentality where since we never know which act will matter most, we should approach each one as if it could.
As we enter the New Year, may we take comfort in knowing that while we cannot control everything, we can shape meaning and live with intention. Together, let us continue writing a “Book of Life” that reflects the very best of who we are as a community, and may we fill its chapters with moments of connection and purpose – moments that will be remembered long after this year is complete.
Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom. G’mar chatima tova.
Jason
Be sure to join us on October 2 for our Yom Kippur program, “From Division to Renewal: A Conversation on Forgiveness and Democracy.”
