Days of Awe

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and one week later, Sukkot, offer us an amazing start to our Jewish year.  Folks come out for them for a reason!  They offer us our central Jewish teachings: we are here to get along, to share, to be introspective — at this time of year in particular the tradition insists we slow down and reflect [as hard as it may be].

Rosh Hashanah – Sunday/Monday, October 2/3

First we celebrate the sweetness of what is possible, and we have our shell, our hardness, healthfully softened by the cries of the shofar.  We toss breadcrumbs in the water, developing an awareness of our imperfect ways.

*We’ll celebrate in the evening, at 6:00pm, in Huntingdon Valley, with a musical, uplifting, family service, followed by a potluck dinner.

*In the morning, we’ll be in Shortridge Park, Wynnewood, starting at 10:00am.  By 10:45am our youth will be gently guided down the stream for more singing, allowing adults to reflect and make community in adult ways.

Before noon we’ll celebrate with Tashlich and blow the SHOFAR!  Bring blankets, folding chairs, and if you like, a picnic.  See the calendar for additional details.

Yom Kippur  - Tuesday/Wednesday, October 11/12

It’s been this rabbi’s favorite for years, as it’s a holiday of great joy.  With HaLev Yom Kippur, as the tradition would have it, is about light.  At it’s core, Yom Kippur is not meant to bt somber, nor judgmental.  It’s the opposite, learning and lifting ourselves from our judgmental ways.  Yom Kippur is the day we learn that firstly, God is not judgmental.  It is us human beings who are.  Yom Kippur is about realizing, no matter what we have done, or said, what we have thought, how we have cheated, lied, no matter what – we are able, all of us, at Yom Kippur, to come to a new self-understanding — of our soul’s purity.  We pray together as one, for more compassionate living, a more confident self, community and world.

We’ll gather three times on Yom Kippur:

* Kol Nidre – in the evening, on the Mainline, at 6:30pm;

* Morning Service – in Huntingdon Valley, at 10:00am;

* Yizkor is at noon – in Hungtingdon Valley, at noon.

Sukkot/Simchat Torah – Sunday, October 16, 6:00 – potluck dinner

We’ll gather in  the succah, sing, invite ushpizin, shake the Lulav, and really work on learning how to celebrate!  Sukkot is the precursor to our American Thanksgiving – so, let’s gather to see how Jewish communities over the centuries get in touch with their feeling thankful and how we express this gratitude!

* Location TBD – see calendar for details