Rabbi's Weekly Email

                                                         
                                     
Sept. 14, 2020 / 25 Elul 5780                        

Dear Friends,

The New Year 5781 is just days away. We each have yearly practices to help us prepare. Maybe it's making family recipes, polishing silver or setting out a special prayer shawl. In our home, it was taking out my father's shofar.

This year, I encourage you to prepare your space to welcome the new year as well. Praying from home has its benefits, less travel time, less coordination with family and friends and lunch is steps away. To make the most of your time in sanctuary, it's worth giving some

attention to your home prayer space (or wherever you'll be) before you open the computer/phone/ipad to zoom in.

The way we interact with one another, ourselves and our space are what create sanctuary. Be gentle with yourself and anyone else who will be praying in the vicinity when planning your set up. Especially in a NYC apartment, there may be ongoing constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing. That's certainly the case in my home. 

Here are some questions to consider as you prepare to be shul ready for the new year.

Where will you set up to pray?
At the main table? Spread out around your home? On the couch with others? In your favorite chair? On the floor with the dog? 

What will help make your space feel sacred?
Do you have a special pillow, blanket or wall hanging to designate your area as comfortable space for prayer? Would keeping a family kiddush cup, candlesticks or other ritual item nearby remind you of why you are there? Maybe you have High Holy Day cards from before the days of paperless post to hang on the wall, set on the table, or use as bookmarks. In our home we're using homemade paper flowers to decorate the table (they won't spill on the computer!). Embrace the concept of hiddur mitzvah/beautifying mitzvot and create the space in which you want to pray.

What items will you need close by? 
Where will you keep your Machzor/High Holy Day prayer book, Tallit/prayer shawl, kippot/yarmulkes, kleenex and water bottle so they are close at hand?

What will you wear? 
These are High Holy Days so consider something appropriate for the new year. Many wear white. Some wear a new item or article of clothing on the second day of Rosh Hashanah over which to say sheheheyanu/the blessing for reaching that day. Take into consideration where and how you will be sitting. We're planning for short breaks to stretch etc. in between discrete portions of the prayer services. You'll still want to wear something comfortable that will support your expression of prayer and not make you feel constricted.

How will you keep from being distracted?
It's helpful to set your extra devices aside and silence the audible notifications that alert you when texts, Facebook and Instagram posts arrive. Imagine yourself in shul - because you are! And, if you become distracted, so be it. Machzor Lev Shalem is designed to empower each of us to immerse ourselves in the liturgy and engage with the themes of the High Holy Days. The right-hand margin offers commentary and context along with history of the liturgy and explanatory comments. The left-hand margin provides readings, meditations and reflections with a diversity of view. See what catches your eye and don't be afraid to have an opinion and be in conversation with the text. 

How do I keep from fiddling with the computer?
To provide the best sound and hold the sacred nature of community, we ask everyone to mute their computer microphone. With the exception of the Mourner's Kaddish, there will be very few instances in which you'll need to manipulate the screen and sound. So settle in and enjoy the davenning. 

How will I feel connected?
While this year is different, for sure, zoom allows us to be together and see one another. Take some time to enjoy the gallery view. See who is with you on these holy days. Extend High Holy Day wishes in your mind and hugs from your heart. Follow up afterwards as you would if you were together in 3D. If you have people with you, remember to offer greetings and say l'Shana Tovah. Consider taking a page out of the Passover playbook of coronatimes and gather with friends and family on zoom for meals.

Creating an intentional mikdash m'at/mini sanctuary and prayer space to welcome the new year will add a sense of sanctity to your celebration. So make your preparations and plan to join us Friday evening at 6:30pm in our virtual sanctuary for familiar melodies, a sense of community and teaching to set the tone for our High Holy Day experience as we begin Rosh Hashanah and welcome the New Year. May our attention and our intention help make new memories to rest alongside those of past years, elevating our call to the Holy One, zochreinu l'hayyim/remember us for life.

Shavua Tov and L'Shana Tovah,
rg