Shabbat service, discussion, lunch

The arrival of the High Holidays next week means many of us will be seeing a lot of each other. Even so, I want to invite you to consider joining me and other Nafshenu friends this Saturday morning for a pre-holidays service, discussion and potluck lunch. We'll be in our regular space at Prince of Peace Church in Marlton.

I’ll supply the hummus, pita and salad. Side dishes, other entrees, desserts and drinks are welcome.

Below is a taste of what I hope we can talk about Saturday. I’ll keep the service itself fairly short so we have room for discussion and give-and-take. Hope you can be there! 

                              Best—Rabbi David

PS, please drop me a text or email (248-508-0874 or rebdovid@nafshenu.org) if you think you’ll be there, so I can figure out how much food we need. But come regardless, if you’re able.

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'Comfort, comfort …’

We’re in the traditional period of Selichot (סליחות), or prayers for forgiveness, that are meant to prepare us for the release of our sins. And while seeking forgiveness from others – friends, family, God, even – is admirable and important, there is someone else each of us needs to say “sorry” to. This year, more than most, we need to apologize to and reconcile with ourselves.

This has been a hard year for many of us personally. And, boy, has it been hard for us as Americans and Jews. Our homeland, America, is going through wrenching political conflict and is facing an election whose outcome frightens everyone, Democrats, Republicans and independents alike.

Meanwhile, our ancestral homeland, Israel, is caught up in a bloody and multifront war. Its ripples have reached around the world, and we are seeing a rise in anti-Jewish racism from a segment of the people engaged in pro-Palestinian activism.

To these burdens and challenges, I want to offer words from Isaiah (40:1-2) in one of the pre-High Holiday Haftarah readings:

“’Comfort, comfort my people,’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and tell her that her sentence is up, and she has paid the dues for her sins.’” 

Addressing the Jews in Babylonian exile 2,500 years ago, Isaiah says that they have suffered enough. A better future is ahead, and it’s time for them to shed the sorrow and anxiety that have burdened them as “strangers in a foreign land.” (Exodus 2:22).

Now it would be foolish to suggest that we can just chill, that everything will turn out fine, that we have no cause for alarm about our future as Americans and as Jews. What I do suggest is that we cultivate an inner calm, that we feed the flame of hope in our hearts, that we not give in to fear and despair. And I suggest that we be gentle, kind and forgiving not only to our loved-ones and neighbors but to ourselves.

An important first step in the struggle for peace in the world without is finding peace within. 

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A REMINDER OF OUR HIGH HOLIDAY PLANS

A New Year is coming. Your friends at Nafshenu hope you’ll be able to join us for the High Holidays this year. Comfort is the theme for our services – comfort for each other and ourselves. At a time of discord and conflict, we will focus of understanding, mutual support and peace.

Please click the links below to register for our ROSH UNDER THE BIG TOP on Rosh Hashanah Eve (Wednesday, Oct. 2) and ROSH HASHANAH DAY service the next morning (Thursday, Oct. 3).

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6pm: Rosh Under the Big Top, picnic dinner, apples and honey, and Erev Rosh Hashanah service under the tent at Prince of Peace Church, Marlton.

Bring Your Own Meal (Not a Potluck) and Enjoy an Outdoor Service, Picnic Style!

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ROSH HASHANAH MORNING

Thursday, Oct. 3, 10am: Rosh Hashanah morning service, apples and honey, and refreshments in the social hall at Prince of Peace.

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Register Here to Sign Up to Help With Rosh Hashanah! We appreciate You!

I would love hearing from you, if you have any questions or just want to talk! 

-- Rabbi David Goodman

248-508-0874, rebdovidg@gmail.com

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