Rosh Hashanah

I suppose nobody would be surprised if I said that Rosh Hashanah in Israel is a unique experience. I'm not sure it was all that unique though. The first day of the holiday fell on Shabbat this year though, and so the environment in Jerusalem was really not very different from any other Saturday. It continued an extra day though. Most of Israel does celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, contrary to popular belief. There are some people who do not, but it is still a holiday here, with schools (including HUC), stores, and businesses closed on the second day.

My experience was interesting, to use a fairly neutral word. HUC encouraged us to attend at least some of the High Holiday services there, in support of the student choir, among other reasons. The choir, made up of the 7 cantorial students in my class and about 7 or 8 rabbinic students with amazing voicesl, sang beautifully. I went to services at HUC on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Rosh Hashanah services at HUC were an experience. Unfortunately, they were more of an observing and listening experience than a participatory experience. The cantor is very classically Reform, enjoying a good solo (or a dozen good solos) more than congregational (audience?) participation. It was frustrating, to say the least. The cantor has a fabulous voice, and the choir was a beautiful addition. I just wish they could have found a better balance between vocal performance and congregational involvement.

Highlight: the shofar service. I have been craving a great shofar service. There were two shofar blowers, my classmate Josh and one of the professors. They each did one section, and they did the last section in unison. Except, it was really in unison. It sounded like they had practiced together, and when one of them finished, the other finished. Rather than elephant-like, it was beautiful and impressive!

On the second day, I wanted to try a different synagogue, hopefully somewhere with more congregational participation. Some friends and I went to Kol Haneshamah, a local Progressive (Israeli Reform) congregation. When the service started, 10 minutes late, there were about 25 people in the room. Over the next hour or two, the other hundreds showed up. It was a nice service. It was out of the Israeli Reform Machzor, of which they have not yet made an edition with English translations, so the whole book was in Hebrew. It was a little intense and intimidating at first, but as the service went on, it was encouraging how easily I could follow and how much I understood! There was no sermon, but two different people spoke about various Torah portions. In Hebrew. When I was trying hard to pay attention (which was hard, since I was really tired and there were so many people to watch!), I could understand, which is always exciting. If only they spoke so slowly and clearly on the radio. The service was almost an hour shorter than HUC’s service the morning before…but we did more. As in, there was an entire extra (fairly long) section that is not even in Gates of Repentance, and we finished all of that in 25 percent less time than it took the cantor and the choir to get through a more abbreviated (but more chorally choreographed) service. Kol Haneshamah does not have a cantor, but instead had this service led in sections by different congregants and the rabbi. I enjoyed it, and I am planning to return there for at least part of Yom Kippur.

Highlight: the shofar service. I have never seen a shofar service with so much joy! After each section, there was joyous singing, and parents dancing with their kids. It was so much fun! I also liked watching the shofar blower, who did the whole thing very quietly and modestly. He had a small shofar, rather than a big long curly one. He did not stay on the bima to receive any glory, but stepped up at the appropriate time and then immediately returned to his seat. I was impressed. Also, there were two shofar services, which I have never seen before. Remember that section of the service that is missing from Gates of Repentance? It includes a second shofar service apparently, which was a fun bonus.

I most definitely was missing the Beth Ami services all weekend. As one friend not-so-kindly pointed out though, chances are that none of us will be at our home congregations for the High Holidays again for a VERY long time. I find that very sad. I was thinking of you, and I will be again on Yom Kippur. (When, of course, I will be fasting!)

Also, the Redskins won this weekend. YAY! I got to see a little piece of the game, including one touchdown. It was beautiful:)

Now it’s back to the grind, at least for a few days: we get a four-day weekend this weekend, because we’re off on the day of Kol Nidre and for Yom Kippur. Then we return to school for three days, and then it’s vacation! It’s all so close. Time flies!

Shanah tovah, a good new year!