Think & Reflect:
The days of Rosh Hashanah, the ten days of teshuvah (repentance), and Yom Kippur are both happy and reflective. We are looking at the past year and both our “sins” and even the good things we may have missed doing and planning for the coming year. Forgiveness is first for us with others and then for us with G-d. We must also remember to forgive ourselves!
These are key holidays in the synagogue but also with home celebrations. Often when asked where are you going for the holidays, we are asking about to whose home or who is coming to you rather than where are you going to pray. Traditions include eating apples, honey, round challah, and a new fruit (so you can say the Shehecheyanu blessing). However, the liturgy and Torah portions are fascinating at this time. We use a special prayer book called the Machzor. On Rosh Hashanah, we read about the Akedah, the binding of Isaac, and on Yom Kippur the story of Jonah. Although familiar, re-reading, again and again, each year brings new insight as we are always in a new place ourselves.
Questions to Ponder
Traditions are to share memories but you can always start a new tradition! What will you do at home to make the holidays special? What new fruit, perhaps, will be added to your table? What new questions can you prepare to ask at your table to add more meaning and learning to these days? There are resources galore – just google! Check out JewBelong for a different view: jewbelong.com/holidays/rosh-hashanah And don’t forget: myjewishlearning.com and Chabad.org and aish.com and urj.org and so many more possibilities. Open yourself to new learning and wonderful traditions.
Do & Share
On Rosh Hashanah, read the Akedah (Genesis 22) and then find commentaries. It is a challenging story and one with so many messages. Check this resource: www.judaismunbound.com/akedah This is a story read every year when most Jews are in synagogue. Why?? What do you take from this story? Find a friend (or more) and talk about it!
A Challenge for a Week (or longer)
Children’s books are the best! Check out a few on the story of Jonah and the Whale (even if you are an adult) or try to remember the story you were told. After that, read the real Book of Jonah in the Tanach – read it all the way to the end. Many children’s books end when the whale spits out Jonah, and he goes to Ninevah. The people repent, and that is the end – but it isn’t! The story ends with a question! There is much to learn.
Laura Seymour | Camp Director Emeritus | Jewish Experiential Learning Director
Lseymour@jccdallas.org
