Thoughts to Nosh On

The spines of our succulent saguaro cacti are turning brown. The readings from our outdoor thermometers have dropped to a mere one hundred degrees. We are even unpacking our winter T-shirts for the brisk days of autumn. Yes, Fall is in the air. In the northeast, thoughts turn towards car trips to view the autumn foliage, but here in Tucson, our attention turns towards High Holy Days in the desert.

Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Teshuvah, and Yom Kippur represent what many consider to be the most spiritually challenging time of the Jewish year. It is a time filled with prayer, reflection, introspection, and even perhaps a little kadosh or holiness through personal separation. It is a time of spiritual upheaval as we seek to both address the wrongs of the past as well as right our courses for the upcoming year. This is certainly not a task to be taken lightly, nor a journey that is ever truly completed.

It is the very nature of the High Holy Days that calls out to all Jews to enter into sacred spaces of worship. It is the sounding of the shofar that beckons us. It is the opening of the gates of teshuvah that invite us in. It is beautiful and melodic sounds of our choirs that lift up our souls. And it is the warmth of a people gathered together in prayer that encourages us to remain with one another.

It is with all of these important elements in mind that this year we will be trying something entirely new at Temple Emanu-El. In addition to all of our High Holiday services offered on Country Club Road, we will, for the first time, also be offering Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in the Northwest as well. These worship services will be led by myself, Rabbi Sandy Seltzer, and Cantorial Soloist Nicole Hellman in a way that promises to be holy and awe-inspiring. All of you are invited to join us as we will gather together at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in observance, worship, and song.

Speaking of attending, we will also have numerous opportunities for congregational participation in our Northwest services. If you are already planning on attending, and would like to participate whether by opening the ark, blessing the Torah, or even lighting our Erev Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur candles please call me at 327-4501. It is your presence that will help make these a truly high and holy experience.