In Preparation for a Spiritually Thoughtful High Holiday Season

Shalom Temple Beth Israel,

Welcome back everyone! I hope folks enjoyed the beautiful, hot weather this summer. As we return after a rejuvenating summer, where we reconnected with friends, family, went on new adventures, celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday, and watched an exciting summer of World Cup Soccer/football, I personally feel recharged and ready to usher in the 5787 High Holiday Season.

Cantor Ken Isman and I have been hard at work this summer crafting a meaningful and

enjoyable Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. In preparation for what I hope is a

spiritually thoughtful experience, I wanted to convey some of the themes I hope to touch on this season. On Rosh Hashanah, we will discuss the importance of making bold decisions and risk taking in our everyday lives as well as in the history of the Jewish people. We will examine some of our boldest, most daring risk takers in the effort to glean some chutzpah in our own lives for the upcoming year. On Erev Yom Kippur, we will explore how we can use the High Holidays as a means of forgiveness and an avenue into emotional/spiritual healing. In our effort to reach a more peaceful place, on Yom Kippur day, we will also touch on how Judaism has been a beacon of peace and forgiveness. Lastly this year’s special Yom Kippur afternoon discussion, which starts at 2:30pm, will focus on the fears and limitations of Artificial Intelligence. This informal discussion on Yom Kippur afternoon will take place in the social hall

and go until the beginning of the afternoon service, which starts with Yizkor at 4pm. Please consider attending one of our various High Holiday services this month.

In continuing with the Jewish holiday theme, Pizza in the Sukkah, will be held on Shabbat

Sukkot, Friday, September 25th, beginning with sukkah decorating at 5pm. Also, I wanted to proudly inform folks that on Sunday, September 27th from 1-3pm, Temple Beth Israel will host an interfaith clergy panel designed to address your most pertinent ethical and spiritual questions. This event is open to our entire interfaith community and one in which I am very honored and excited to personally participate.

May this year bring us healing, the confidence to take new risks, embrace peace, the strength to face our fears especially around technology, and the desire to stay curious and never be afraid to ask questions.

Shanah tovah u’metukah

Happy, sweet New Year

Rabbi David Joslin