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Category: Rosh Hashanah
A Talmudic Reading Of The High Holiday Prayer Un’taneh Tokef
Un'taneh Tokef: What makes this prayer so attractive? Could it be the poignant question, “Who will live and who will die?”
Dr. Judith Hauptman
September 23, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
תכלה שנה וקללותיה – תחל שנה וברכותיה
ובאמת, לצד האסונות שידענו לאורך אלפי שנות קיומנו, ידענו גם לקום, להתאחד ולהתחזק מתוך השבר. וכך יהיה גם הפעם.
Rabbi Nathalie Lastreger
September 23, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
End the Year and Its Curses – Begin the Year with Its Blessings
Despite the disasters we have faced, we have known how to rise, unite, and grow stronger from the fractures.
Rabbi Nathalie Lastreger
September 23, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Caring For Creation Prayer
A short prayer, inspired by and quoting the Prophet Isaiah, connecting us to nature, the environment, and all of creation.
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
,
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner
September 23, 2024
Climate and Environment
High Holidays
A Meditation/Kavannah on the Shofar and Civic Engagement
May the shofar blasts become our catalysts inspiring us to civic participation and the preservation of our democracy.
Rabbi Josh Ratner
,
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
The Shofar Is Calling Us Toward Queer Reconciliation: A Kavvanah
The shofar's call urges us to examine our own biases and privileges, to stand in solidarity and to advocate for change.
puckmaren glass
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Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
,
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
Social Justice Commission High Holiday Reader 5785
Our tradition teaches: the sound of the shofar can literally break down the walls, both physical and spiritual. It can shatter complacency and indifference.
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Approaching Tashlikh: Casting Off Racism
May our casting of the bread upon the waters lead to a concerted common effort to confront and confound racism throughout the New Year.
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
,
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Hagar, Enslaved Woman
May these Days of Awe help us understand more deeply and act more forcefully on behalf of the enslaved and marginalized in our society.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
,
Social Justice Commission
September 22, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Sovereign of All the Earth: The Meaning of the Malkhuyot
Acknowledging God’s sovereignty marks our responsibility toward all of life, through which the one creative, life-sustaining spirit flows.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
September 19, 2024
Climate and Environment
High Holidays
The Binding of Isaac: What Does God Want?
How might we make meaning of the Binding of Isaac, a troubling, watershed story that shakes us to our core? What can we learn?
Rabbi Nelly Altenburger
September 19, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
High Holiday Liturgy: Making Meaning from the Metaphors for God
By understanding the nuance of Divine justice, we are given a powerful model for healthier relationships in the human realm.
Rabbi Amalya Volz
September 18, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Holding Both Joy and Sorrow
Our hearts are big enough to hold all the emotions we feel during this holiday season, as we pray, eat, and observe the holidays together.
Rabbi Jeremy Markiz
September 17, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
How to Prevent High Holiday Burnout
The delicate balancing act of celebrating and observing the High Holidays can be mixed with a bit of overwhelm. Here's what you can do.
Rabbi Amy Grossblatt Pessah
September 17, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
Davening with Leonard Cohen
A rockstar-poet-monk and a humble Jew, a roshi and just another rabbi. In some moments, we trade places, imagining what could have been.
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover
September 17, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
The Power of Memory-Making
Memory-making, the way we tell ourselves our story, the way we frame our history, offers the opportunity to give us power and, ultimately, hope.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
September 17, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
High Holiday Reader 5785: Not A Mahzor
Exploring Judaism's 2024 (5785) High Holiday Reader, Not A Machzor, includes essays to inspire a meaningful Holiday season.
Exploring Judaism
September 13, 2024
High Holidays
Holidays
How To Get Religious Accommodations At Work
Want to know your rights as a Jew in the workplace? Need religious accommodations? Find out what your rights are and how to exercise them.
Andrew J. Horowitz, Partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP
September 9, 2024
Elul
Government
Listener of Prayer
"Listener of Prayer" is an important phrase in many of our blessings and prayers. Learn more about why that is.
Rabbi Alex Hamilton
July 3, 2024
Amidah
Every Day
Netzach and Hod (Rosh Hashanah)
Rabbi Friedson explains the middot—soul traits—of netzach and hod and relates the required tenacity and glory to this time of year.
Rabbi Sarah Freidson
November 5, 2023
High Holidays
Holidays
Hope is a Rope (Rosh Hashanah)
We learn from Rabbi Friedson to keep our hope in mind for this next year. Our hope is a rope, just as strong and tenacious.
Rabbi Sarah Freidson
November 5, 2023
High Holidays
Holidays
How to recite Kiddush on Rosh Hashanah (even on Shabbat)
On Rosh Hashanah, we recite a special kiddush blessing that marks the moment. On Shabbat and Saturday nights, there are special inclusions.
Rabbi Jeremy Markiz
September 14, 2023
Holidays
How to observe Rosh Hashanah
What Can I Expect at My First Rosh Hashanah Services?
The intensity of Rosh Hashanah can be intimidating; read this guide to get to know what to expect at services on our New Year.
Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack
September 11, 2023
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah
When the Holidays Are Hard
Everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah differently, but sometimes, the holidays are hard. What can we do when this is true?
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman
September 11, 2023
Elul
Holidays
Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home
Celebrating the high holy days from home gives us ample opportunity to bring the sacred even further into our lives.
Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein
August 13, 2023
Elul
High Holidays
Tashlikh: A Quick Overview
One of the beautiful customs associated with Rosh Hashanah is Tashlikh, a brief service that takes place by a body of water.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 20, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What is Tashlich?
What is Tashlich? How do you do it, what is its history, what are the environmental concerns and, of course, why I love Tashlich.
Emily Jaeger
September 19, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Dress to Impress Yourself…Into the Book of Life
Sara Beth Berman teaches us: Everything you need to know about clothing the body that holds your precious soul for the High Holidays.
Sara Beth Berman (she/her)
September 19, 2022
Clothing
High Holidays
What to Read to Prepare for the High Holidays this Year
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover recommends these reads to help you prepare for the themes, liturgy, and spirit of the High Holidays.
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover
September 16, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service
The Musaf Service for Rosh Hashanah contains familiar opening and closing blessings of the Amidah with the usual High Holiday interpolations.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah
Sounding of the shofar is a characteristic mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is alternatively called the Day of Sounding the Shofar.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Torah Reading
Rosh Hashanah Torah reading includes Abraham, Sarah, and the Binding of Isaac. Haftarot tell the story of Samuel and other relevant themes.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Synagogue Services
For most people, Rosh Hashanah means a lot of time spent praying in the synagogue. These are the complex explanations behind those prayers.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
My Bangin’ Rosh Hashanah Seder
Emily Jaeger explains to us: What is the Rosh Hashanah seder, how do we perform it, and why you might consider doing one too.
Emily Jaeger
September 15, 2022
Food
High Holidays
Being Called by God
When we say hineni to ourselves and our lives have a spiritual center, our existence will be more meaningful, and we'll live a more purposeful ...
Rabbi Mark Zimmerman
September 15, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah At Home
Personal and at-home Rosh Hashanah rituals include candle lighting, eating apples with honey, and sharing meals.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 15, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Candle Lighting for Rosh Hashanah
When and how to do Rosh Hashanah Candle Lighting. We usher in Rosh Hashanah by lighting candles, just as we do on Shabbat.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 12, 2022
Blessings
Every Day
Customs before Rosh Hashanah
There are customs in order to prepare for Rosh Hashanah, including Selichot, physical changes in the synagogue, and immersing in the mikveh.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 30, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Living With No Regrets
While introspection is healthy, too much regret can discourage us from embracing our unchangeable past and our openness to future choices.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
August 25, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
(Not) Announcing Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we do not recite the traditional blessings announcing a new month for a variety of different reasons.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 21, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
When is the Jewish New Year?
There are four New Years, each with its own purpose. That said, the counting of the new year begins with Rosh Hashanah, in the seventh ...
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 21, 2022
Elul
High Holidays