High Holiday Message 5784

L’Shanah Tovah! 
 
Our theme this year is Kehillah Achat – One Community. We come from diverse backgrounds and represent the span of generations – and we all have a home, a purpose, and an extended family at CBE. We choose to come together for different spiritual, educational and social opportunities. Some of us are primarily involved in our wonderful religious school or preschool. Others find meaning in our Shabbat services, social action, brotherhood, or sisterhood activities. No matter what brings you to CBE, we are all connected and an important part of one family, one kehillah, one community. 
 
This fall, we are back to a new normal as we welcome more of you back to our in-person services and activities. We hope that everyone will find hope, joy, and inspiration in our holiday services and celebrations. 
 
Last year, we received very positive feedback on our streamlined High Holiday services and innovations. Our services this year will have a similar pace and length, with some additional moments for silence and reflection. Our Torah readings will again focus on stories of forgiveness and reconciliation, and we will offer an alternative to Untaneh Tokef with words and music that acknowledge both the uncertainty of life and our power to take action to make our world a better, kinder place. 
 
We will offer a version of the Aleinu prayer created by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi zt”l that emphasizes our shared human destiny, sung to our familiar melodies.  During the Great Aleinu, Rabbi David will invite those who wish to do a full bow to the ground.  
 
We’re also excited to include an optional lay-led chanting of the book of Jonah and a guided meditation, right before our Yom Kippur afternoon Mincha discussion with Rabbi Mintz. 
 
Community participation makes our services special. If you haven't already, you can still sign up for an honor. We especially welcome all interested in joining our Shofar Choir! Please note that we will have a shofar service on the First Day of Rosh Hashanah, which falls on Shabbat, so that everyone has a chance to hear the sound of the shofar this year.
 
Finally, we encourage you to sign up for our luncheon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah (details to come), a beautiful opportunity to relax, socialize, greet old friends, and meet new people. While we will still have ZOOM, we encourage you to attend in person this year if you are comfortable doing so.
 
We’re looking forward to coming together this fall to celebrate a New Year of wholeness, strength, renewal, and blessing for all of us as an even stronger, unified community - a true kehillah achat!
 
Rabbi David and Cantor Sarra