And the conclusion... and the beginning...

I'm a little sad to see the chagim end.

There was an added piece this year. Our Rabbi is leaving our community for a new job. His final hurrah was on Shmini Atzeret with a drash. And afterwards there was a lunch in his honor -- not the whole shul, just some special folks of which I'm proud to say I got to be a part. I really felt very united with the people there, and by Simchat Torah felt united too with all the others in my shul as well.

I had to return a book to the rabbi... I took it to his office. Most of the shelves had been cleared off and there was just a small pile of books on his desk. I added the book I was returning to this pile, but that image has stayed with me.

Don't know what's to come... for the new rabbi whomever and whenever he shall be, for the new year which now really begins as our celebration with Hashem is over.