Although we've moved to a mostly vegetarian existence in our home, neither my daughter nor I could imagine the holy days without chicken soup. The other day, I chopped vegetables to prepare them for the stock. As I worked my way through the onions, my eyes started to burn and fill with salty tears. I had to stop so I would not inadvertently slice through my fingers. I remembered how we used to tease my mother. She always wore goggles to cut onions. That adage to always listen to
your mother rang true for me as I prepared for these Holy Days.
Memory is at the heart of the holidays. Tastes, smells, jokes, laughter and tears. Memory keeps us connected in all directions, internally, externally, between one another, and even towards our future selves. Memory informs what we want to hold close and what we want to give away. At this time of year, we take on the practice of separating ourselves from what holds us back. We actively acknowledge mistakes we've made and distorted thoughts that keep us from becoming our full selves. Traditionally, we take these sins and release them into a body of water, symbolically casting them off and starting anew. For generations, people threw breadcrumbs into rivers at Rosh Hashanah. It turns out that practice is not great for the fish. This year, you might follow the practice of my childhood, using lint from your pockets. Rina Cohen Schwarz, our Education Director, invites you to use acorns. Attend Tashlich with her on Monday midday or be in touch with her to find out how she chose acorns.
You can also join me for Tashlich next Sunday, October 2 at 9:30am at Pier i (70th and the Hudson River Greenway) where I encourage you to bring stones to cast into the water. Not only are they natural, stones carry some weight. Together, we'll set our intention to release what holds us and experience forgiveness. You can throw your stone with whatever amount of force your wish, or can muster. You can also write the things you are releasing on the stone and then set it, and yourself, free. Watch your email today for a reminder message with times and locations for all of our Tashlich gatherings and outdoor Shofar blowing experiences.
We look forward to greeting you in varied ways as we welcome 5783 together. May it be a new year of sweet memory, justice, love and peace.
Shanah tovah u'm'tukah,
rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
