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To my Temple Israel Friends,

As we approach the High Holy Days, a time of reflection, renewal, and return, our clergy are asking an important question: How do we challenge ourselves in a time that is already so challenging? In many ways, this question has guided much of my own journey as your Board President over the past year.

Like many of you, I have faced moments that tested my resolve—some operational, some financial, and some spiritual. Together with our leadership team, we have worked hard to face these challenges with honesty and transparency, always striving to make decisions grounded in accountability and in the best interest of our congregation. These choices are rarely easy, but they are made with deep care and commitment to the values we all hold dear.

Of course, not all challenges are structural—many are interpersonal. As in any sacred community, we have experienced our share of tension, misunderstanding, and disagreement. Some of these stem from differing views on world events, others from responsibilities or roles within our Temple Israel family. These moments are hard, but they are also deeply human.

In seeking guidance, I turned to a few past Temple Israel presidents, and one offered a simple but profound piece of advice: “Count to ten before you speak, act, or react.” As a lawyer, I couldn’t help but joke that this sounds more like premeditation—but the wisdom in it stuck with me. Sometimes the pause is where growth begins.

Conflict, after all, is inevitable. But it doesn’t have to divide us. When approached with humility and curiosity, it can become a doorway to understanding, innovation, and stronger relationships. One of the lessons I have learned this year is that we don’t have to resolve every disagreement—we simply have to stay committed to one another through them.

The Serenity Prayer, shared across faith traditions, offers a timeless reminder: 
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

This season, perhaps we can add a few verses of our own:
Help me to act with compassion,
To seek justice and pursue peace,
And to stay ever committed to the work of tikkun olam—repairing the world.

Let us not aim for a community free of conflict—that may be an impossible dream. Instead, let us work toward a community rooted in understanding, where we are tolerant of difference, united in purpose, and grounded in the sacred truth that we are all part of the Jewish people.

May these Days of Awe bring you clarity, connection, and the strength to face what lies ahead with open hearts. Together, we can emerge from “this season of turbulence”, stronger, more compassionate, and filled with hope for a brighter tomorrow.

L'Shalom, 
Justin Cooper 

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This letter was originally printed in the 2025 High Holiday Tidings.