Rabbi’s & President’s Messages Hand In Hand President’s Message The first Hebrew prayer book ever printed was L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu! May 5780 be a sweet a High Holiday machzor called Machzor Minhag new year! Roma. Completed in 1486 by Joshua Solomon Soncino of Italy, it contains a prayer that appears in In a recent article, a Chicago-area the final pages of every holiday prayer book, “Atah Conservative Rabbi discusses a new version of Notein Yad.” We chant it at the very moment when “The Prayer for Our Country”. This version is our empty bellies are growling the loudest in our Yom the third iteration of this prayer and is “…a Kippur fast, entreating the Holy One: “You hold beautiful and timely reshaping of the current Rabbi Sharon Mars out Your hand to those who go astray, Your right Amy Weisbach one that fully maintains the centuries old hand opens wide to receive those who return.” God’s Temple Israel President tradition.” The rabbi’s revision was needed, he firm hand protects us in our state of fragility and uncertainty, lifts us up claims, because we, as Jews and as a country, and steadies our spirits, and holds us in love despite the list of are in a different place now than when the last revision was shortcomings we’ve enumerated from Rosh Hashanah through the Day made. Instead of asking God to protect our leaders and granting of Atonement. them the strength to make good decisions, it is a call for us to raise our voices, so that we recognize that we are the repositories The theological image of God supporting us with a Divine Hand of moral courage and religious conviction. may not be new to us, but most unique to this particular prayer is the fact that the Hebrew letters of “Atah Notein Yad” appear This is but another reminder that every Shabbat and this time of twice the size on the page of any other prayer in the machzor. The year provide opportunities to renew our bodies and our souls. words leap off the page at us! Why this special visual effect? What is the The High Holidays are a time for introspection, giving us the machzor trying to communicate to us here, just as the Gates of chance to discard the unimportant and reconnect to what is Repentance are closing at Ne’ilah? One theory speculates that the larger truly important in our lives. These are the moments to think lettering was actually trying to send a silent message of encouragement to about the future, to reconnect with God and to enhance our the Conversos of 15th century Spain. For those Jews who were forced to relationships with loved ones. Rosh HaShanah begins a period convert to Christianity at the beginning of the Inquisition, this secret when seriousness is wedded to celebration. Ten days later it is lettering communicated to them: “Be brave despite your plight. God’s culminates at Yom Kippur. These Ten Days of Awe draw our hand reaches out to you beyond the confines of your circumstance.” attention to judgment, repentance, memory, and the divine presence in the world. This message has resonated for centuries of Jews in challenging times and it resonates deeply for me now. I hope this message As much as the emphasis during the High Holidays is on us as can lead us on our collective journey this holiday season. What I individuals, they also are a reminder that we are responsible for pray is that we feel strengthened by an invisible hand belonging our community. As your president, I have spent much time to a Force of love and compassion as we enter the Days of Awe reflecting on where we need to renew and revitalize. My together - a hand that guides us on a path of courage in these predecessors have done much of the hard work. We can point to challenging times for our divided country, a hand that financial stability, a soon to be completed new home, a dynamic strengthens us as Israel moves into its next election, a hand that and exemplary clergy and staff. In order to continue that welcomes our doubt and embraces our wisdom. We need God momentum, our board will dedicate its energy to renewing our to be that helping hand of reassurance and repentance so that governance structure to insure that our procedures and policies we are led into a year of teshuvah, of change and of hope despite any will be appropriate for our new home. Our board is robust, filled fear or trepidation. with people who are not afraid of challenge. The board and I need to hear from you, whether it is praise or criticism. You, the May you and your families be blessed to encounter the generous congregation, are our partners, and we will be present among and encouraging hand of holiness as we enter the year 5780 you as often as possible. Look for us in the same way that we together! look for you. We are not strangers; all of us reside under Abraham’s tent. B’shalom - In peace, May we all be inscribed in the book of life for a healthy and a happy year! Temple Israel TIKUN (USPS 537600) is published 11 times per year, monthly except August by Temple Israel 431 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215-4004. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to Temple Israel Tikun, 431 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215-4004. 2 Temple Israel Services High Holy Day Service Schedule Tot Shabbat S’LICHOT Saturday, September 21 at JCC S’lichot Program .............................................................. 7:00 PM Preparing for the EREV ROSH HASHANAH Sunday, September 29 at JCC High Holy Days! Erev Rosh Hashanah Service .......................................... 7:30 PM Saturday, September 7 ROSH HASHANAH Monday, September 30 at JCC 10:00 AM Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service ............................... 9:00 AM Primarily for Non-Readers up to age 6 & parents — 45 mins at the JCC Rosh Hashanah Morning Service ............................... 10:00 AM Join Cantor Moses and friends as we learn all 2 1/2 hour service; Sermon, approx. 11:45 AM, followed by Shofar Service Rosh Hashanah Family Service ................................... 10:00 AM about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We’ll sing Primarily for ages 7-12 & parents; interactive worship, music & stories — 1 hr. songs, hear a magical story, and maybe enjoy some Rosh Hashanah Teen Program ................................... 11:30 AM apples and honey for a snack! Tashlich ......................................... following the Morning service EREV SHABBAT SHUVAH Friday, October 4 at JCC For more information, email Cantor Moses Erev Shabbat Shuvah ....................................................... 6:00 PM at [email protected]. SHABBAT SHUVAH Saturday, October 5 at JCC Jewish Meditation ......................................................... 10:00 AM S’lichot Service: To Forgive, To Be Forgiven CEMETERY SERVICES Sunday, October 6 Saturday, September 21 Memorial Service (Greenlawn Cemetery) ...................... 9:30 AM 7:00 PM Memorial Service (New Temple Israel Cemetery) ......... 9:30 AM at the JCC Memorial Service (Forest Lawn Cemetery) .................... 9:30 AM Join us for an evening inspired by NPR’s Moth Radio Hour! EREV YOM KIPPUR Kol Nidre Tuesday, October 8 at JCC Erev Yom Kippur—Kol Nidre .......................................... 7:30 PM Featuring: YOM KIPPUR Wednesday, October 9 at JCC Jillian Gustin Yom Kippur Children’s Service .................................... 9:00 AM Avi Reynolds Primarily for Non-Readers up to age 6 & parents — 45 mins Yom Kippur Morning Service .................................... 10:00 AM Abby Thomas 2 1/2 hour service Yizkor.................... following morning service, approx. 12:30 PM Jillian, Avi, and Abby will tell their stories of forgiveness. Yom Kippur Family Service ........................................ 10:00 AM Primarily for ages 7-12 & parents; interactive worship, music & stories Yom Kippur Teen Program ........................................ 11:30 AM CALLING ALL Volunteers Contemplative Music ....................................................... 1:30 PM Jewish Meditation ............................................................ 2:30 PM Take your Holidays just a little HIGHER – by Discussion w/David Frolick ............................................ 3:30 PM serving as one of our volunteer ushers, greeter, Afternoon Service, including Neilah .............................. 4:30 PM wayfinding, and welcoming your fellow Community Break-the-Fast ............ immediately following Neilah community members. Sign up via our website www.templeisrael.org/high-holidays Grateful thanks To JewishColumbus for providing funding to enhance our security. Mandatory High Holiday Security Briefings for Volunteers and Ushers Yom Kippur Book of Remembrance Sunday, September 15 or Sunday, September 22 Letters about the Memorial Book were mailed in early August. 9:30 AM at the JCC Please return your contribution for the Memorial Book by Due to new, added, security measures being implemented to assure September 9 to Alice Simon, 1053 Woodtown Drive, Gahanna OH everyone's safety during the holidays, all volunteers are required to 43230. For further information, please contact Alice at 614-353- attend a briefing. Choose the date which best suits you and come 8257 or at [email protected]. learn the new details for this year's observances at the JCC. Temple Israel 3 Services Where are my tickets for HHDs? Tashlich We’re breaking tradition. Instead of tickets, ALL our A Temple Israel Tradition members were sent a BRIGHT BLUE envelope containing our full High Holiday worship service Monday, September 30 schedule, annual calendar of events and our educational immediately following Morning Services program offerings this year. This packet was mailed in early September. ALL members will have name tags to What is Tashlich? pick up at the JCC for all the High Holy Days! If you The Tashlich service, held on Rosh Hashanah did not receive a bright blue envelope, please contact the afternoon, marks the beginning of the New Year office. when one symbolically casts away the sins of the past year by throwing bread crumbs into a flowing body of water.