High Holy Days and "Ha'azinu"
Wooh hooh! We did it! Beineinu completed it's first High Holy Days. The journey was exhausting and exhilarating! We did it! And we couldn't have done it without all of you! We hope the experience was energizing and meaningful.
We are grateful to everyone who was able to join us. Your presence, participation, warmth and care made it possible for us to connect with one another, with the self and hopefully something greater than self.
Thank you to all of our volunteers. Thank you to the incredible staff that made sure we were comfortable and prepared. Thank you to our off the charts musicians!
The journey was exhausting and exhilarating!
Beineinu, we created holy space.
We look forward to many opportunities to gather in the coming year.
B'vracha(in blessing),
Laurie and Daphna
A little Torah:
It's only fitting that this week's Torah portion is "Ha'azinu", which means "Hey all of you people! Listen up! Listening was a major focus in our work together over the High Holy Days. We explored the essential role listening and hearing play in the path towards repentance and forgiveness.
How do we put ourselves in a position to really listen?
How do we truly hear our voice and the voice of the other?
This is Moshe's farewell speech to his people. He has spent his life guiding, supporting, nurturing and loving the Israelites. Moshe dedicated himself to God and to cultivating a nation. It is now time for him to say "good-bye". He wants the full attention of all of the people as he reviews their journey from slavery to freedom.
The journey from slavery to freedom is the path towards repentance and forgiveness. It's the High Holy Days all over again. (And we thought we were done until next year). When we engage in a process of true repentance we are accepting responsibility for our actions. We are holding ourselves accountable. The High Holy Days gives us permission to ask for forgiveness from others and almost more importantly gives us permission to forgive ourselves. This leads to freedom. This leads us to a place of renewal and has the potential to lead us into a place of joy. When we forgive others we are releasing them from the weight of their wrong doings. When we forgive ourselves we do the same.
One of the most compelling aspects of Judaism is that we are never asked to be perfect. We are always asked to try. We are always expected to do better the next time.
The work continues throughout the year. We take the themes of the High Holy Days into the coming year as a way of checking in with ourselves. Are we on the right track? Which way are we steering? Are we steering towards kindness and compassion?
Remember, we are not alone. Ki anu amecha, "Because we are Your people." We are part of something greater than the self. We hold each other in tenderness. We hold each other in kindness. We hold each other in love.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we make our way into Shabbat and into the New Year, may we have the strength to continue the process of reflection, repentance and forgiveness. Let us lead with open hearts and open minds. May we blessed with meaning and joy.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach(a peaceful and blessed Shabbat),
Laurie
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