Rosh Hashana

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Rosh Hashana was mostly very good. My rabbi gave an excellent sermon on Friday night and a pretty good one on Saturday morning; when he posts them on our web site (probably in a few weeks) I'll post a link. Friday night's was about strengthening our connections to God, torah, and Israel; he talked a lot about how a lot of people have children's views of torah (because that's when a lot of people stopped learning) and it's time to come look at the "adult torah" that has things to say about matters we consider important today. That resonates for me (not surprising). I can't do the sermon justice, alas.

I chanted torah Saturday morning and received many compliments, including from the associate rabbi (who's previously heard me read but not chant). We talked a bit about learning portions and I commented that knowledge of the Hebrew helps but I've got a way to go there yet. He said he's interested in doing more with teaching Hebrew, including to adults. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. He might be a more accessible resource for Hebrew than my rabbi is (because the new guy probably isn't as over-scheduled yet); I wonder what the best way to pursue that would be. (Can I trade for Hebrew tutoring with English tutoring, I wonder?)

During the morning service yesterday it looked like a congregant collapsed; we on the bimah had a clear view as people came in with a wheelchair to take her out (to, I presume, paramedics). I hope she's ok. It was hard not to look, even though I know that if everyone on the bimah is looking at something everyone in the congregation will follow their eyes. I certainly didn't want to contribute to embarrassing that person. My rabbi addressed it rather than ignoring it, which I think is right; he paused after finishing the prayer he was leading and inserted a brief prayer for healing. Good call, I think.

Most Reform Jews don't keep a second day of Rosh Hashana (myself included), but we have enough people who do that we had our first-ever second-day service this year. It had some new English readings; the phrase "creative service" usually makes me suspicious because they can be badly done, but this one was done well and left core liturgy intact. We got lots of positive comments from the 75-100 people who showed up. It'll be interesting to see what happens next year when the second day of Rosh Hashana is on a weekday. Attendance will be down, I'm sure, but if word of today's service spreads, it might still be critical mass.

We had guests Friday night and this afternoon, one couple each time. This allowed for some pleasant conversation without Dani feeling he was too outnumbered. :-) He had previously met (and been to the homes of) both couples.

Saturday was my birthday. I know that in reality, 1000 people did not get together yesterday morning to celebrate my birthday, but it still makes for a good line. :-)

Comments

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Thank you! And l'shana tova to you too!