Page 3 - 2020 High Holiday Shofar
P. 3
Rabbi Carolyn Braun
This Rosh Hashanah, each of us enters this
sanctuary with a different need.
Some hearts are full of gratitude and joy: they are
overflowing with the happiness of love and the joy
of life; they are eager to confront the day, to make like no other. By now, you have seen the plans: a
the world more fair; they have recovered from diversity of opportunities from private
illness or have escaped misfortune. And we rejoice meditation to small group, “bubble” prayer
with them. groups, to in-person, masked and socially
distanced services. I know that for me, I have been
Some hearts ache with sorrow: disappointments getting lost in the planning and dreaming and
weigh heavily upon them, and they have tasted have yet to dive in the spiritual realm of the
despair; families have been broken; loved ones lie “Days of Awe.” While most things in our lives right
in bed in pain; death has taken those whom they now are different, this reading from our Machzor
cherished. May our presence and sympathy bring (High Holiday prayer book) reminded me that
them comfort. some things are the same, including the purpose
of these holidays.
Some hearts are embittered; they have sought
answers in vain; they have had their ideals mocked Even amidst the tumult of COVID, elections,
and betrayed; life has lost its meaning and value. societal injustice and unrest, school openings and
May the knowledge that we too are searching closings, job losses, and what seems like an
restore their hope that there is something to find. eternity of social distancing, we have still
experienced gratitude and joy, as well as ache,
Some spirits hunger: they long for friendship; they sorrow and disappointment. Some of us have
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HIGH HOLIDAYS 2020 May we in our common need gain strength from from the youngest to the eldest - have been
crave understanding; they yearn for warmth.
“sought answers in vain,” and probably all of us -
longing for friendship and yearning for a warm
touch from family far away. Though so much
one another, sharing our joys, lightening each
other’s burdens, and praying for the welfare of our
about our world has changed over the past year
including gatherings in our sanctuaries, I am
community. - Chaim Stern (adapted)
comforted to remember that the sacred core of
All the members of the High Holiday Task Force, who we are has remained the same. This is part of
SHOFAR רפוש our staff, Rabbi Shoshana, the Board of Directors what I love about Judaism! Even though times
change, our values and holidays do not. Even
and various, talented members of our community
have been working tirelessly to reconstruct and
3 recreate a High Holiday experience that will be continued on next page
