Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
To accommodate those who would otherwise not participate in formal Rosh Hashanah synagogue services, Rabbi Scheiner of Boulder Center for Judaism is promoting a brief, open to all, Rosh Hashanah ceremony that includes the primary observances of the holiday. There will be a special activity for kids and a small holiday gift takeaway.
The “Community Tashlich & Shofar Service” will take place on Sunday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m. in Admiral Arleigh Burke Park 490 Mohawk Drive near the picnic tables. This year due to the first day of Rosh Hashanah falling out on Shabbat shofar is only blown on the second day of Rosh Hashanah in orthodox synagogues.
Tashlich is a practice rich in symbolic and mystical meaning, which is customarily performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. A brief prayer is recited near a body of water, preferably containing live fish; in which we express our prayerful hope that G‑d cast our indiscretions into the depths of the sea, and that we be granted a good and sweet new year filled with G‑d’s abundant and manifest blessings.
The sounding of the shofar is the central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. Typically, it is part of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services. However, if for any reason one did not attend services, the shofar sounding can be fulfilled throughout the day of Rosh Hashanah. The mitzvah of shofar also contains many deep and inspiring messages for us to reflect upon. According to Jewish tradition the gates of heaven are open on the New Year, and G‑d accepts prayers from everyone, and that served as our inspiration to create Rosh Hashanah opportunities for everyone in the community.
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews. During the High Holiday period, accessibility can mean different things to different people. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashanah.”
For more information about this ceremony contact Boulder Center for Judaism at 303-494-1638 /boulderjudaism@gmail.com or visit www.boulderjudaism.com.
