I love the Jewish month of Elul; we are in Elul now. Much as I hate to see the summer fade I love the renewal of communal life that comes with the fall. Now the synagogues rev up, there is the bustle to prepare for the holidays, the round up of volunteers who help with…
Read More »High Holidays
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur begins Wednesday night I hate fasting. Let me count the ways. 1. I hate having to get off coffee and caffeine so that I won’t have a headache all day. 2. I hate feeling weak and lacking focus. 3. I hate being thirsty and that dry sound your mouth makes. 4. I hate…
Read More »Shana Tova!
Shana Tova! Happy New Year! Do Rabbis have a Sense of Humor about the High Holidays? Take a look at this video and you tell me! That’s Rabbi Bloom of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland. You can join him for Yom Kippur or all year long on Shabbat. Call the synagogue for more information: 510-832-0936….
Read More »Yom Kippur thoughts
Here’s what Rabbi Roberto Graetz of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette sent to his congregation just before Yom Kippur. We are reaching the holiest of all Jewish holy days. It is a day of fasting and prayer, of reflection and silence. Rabbi Larry Tabick in a light tone reminds us of the essential nature of the…
Read More »A Bright New Year Begins
The new year will begin next week. Every year at this time I reflect on the blessings that have been given to me. That I was born into the most prosperous country on earth. That I enjoy great freedoms, among them religious freedom. That my family is happy and healthy, that I live in a…
Read More »Free and Low Cost High Holy Day Services
August 27, 2007 Dear Interfaith Families and Friends, Just wanted to send you a quick note with some FREE and LOW COST High Holiday options. You can go online to look at the services schedule at synagogues near you. You’ll find information about buying High Holy Day tickets. Remember that Jewish Community Information and Referral…
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