August 2023 - See You in September

One of the phrases which comes out of my mouth very often is, “I know a song about that!” For several months now I have been preparing for the High Holidays, and I do know a lot of songs about them. So do you! We’re getting ready to sing about apples and honey, about the shofar, and about Avinu Malkeinu, about God who is King, and to wish each other a sweet new year. All of this reminds me of the title of that song, “See You in September.”

This year it will be especially sweet as we all return to the synagogue and say together, “The great shofar is sounded, and a still small voice is heard.” This year we do not blow the Shofar on the first day of Rosh Hashanah since it is Shabbat, although we will talk about it and read the relevant prayers. This year we have the opportunity to listen to the silence as we cross the threshold into the new year. That silence can be powerful and stirring, as we hear the still, small voice. Whose voice is that? Is it God telling us to own up to our shortcomings and to do better? Is it our own voice, our conscience, telling us to fix what is broken? Is it the voice of our community or beyond asking for us to help our neighbors near and far?  

Then on the second day, Sunday, when we have our new Family service, which is really for all of us, regardless of age, we will blow the shofar and perhaps have a different experience, equally meaningful. There are many ways to access the work we need to do and I invite you to use all of the pathways that our tradition offers.

One more way is to perform Tashlich, symbolically casting our sins into the waters, on the second day after our congregational luncheon. Bring your stale bread and join us as we walk a few blocks to the water together and say or sing the prayers.  

I look forward to seeing you in September, as the song goes, and to celebrating the return to synagogue, to God, and to one another. It’s never too early to wish you a Shana Tova, a happy new year!

B’shalom,
Cantor Rena