Dear Friend,

It was so beautiful celebrating Lag B’Omer together this past week and seeing the incredible young entrepreneurs at the Palisades Children’s Business Fair alongside our PJECC Open House. Watching children proudly share their creations and families reconnect in the space as we prepare to reopen our preschool in the fall was truly special and inspiring.

In this week’s Torah portion, we learn about blessing, struggle, effort, and responsibility. At the heart of it all is a powerful message: growth is rarely comfortable, but it is always worthwhile.

The Torah says, “If you will walk in My statutes…” A Jew is meant to walk, to keep moving forward. Life can sometimes make a person feel spiritually tired or emotionally stuck. We may look at our shortcomings and wonder whether meaningful change is truly possible.

But growth in Judaism is not measured by perfection. It is measured by direction. A small step toward goodness has enormous value in the eyes of G-d.

There is a story told of a chassid who complained that despite years of effort, he still struggled with the same weaknesses. His Rebbe answered, “The battle itself has already refined you more than you realize.”

That idea changes everything. We often focus only on results, while G-d treasures the effort, the persistence, and the refusal to give up.

We are reminded that holiness is not created in one dramatic moment, but through steady choices made day after day.

Never underestimate the power of continuing to try. A soul that keeps striving is already shining.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin