Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

It is officially ten days since the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. We have arrived at Yom Kippur, the most holy of all days. Many of us come to Yom Kippur feeling hurried, I certainly do. We may be thinking less about prayer and more about whether we ate enough before services or should we have worn more comfortable shoes? But hopefully, these thoughts will begin to settle down as we rise and begin Kol Nidre, our ancient prayer of the evening.

Kol Nidre reminds us of the importance of the task at hand this holiday. The prayer and melody of Kol Nidre is so profoundly moving that the name itself has become synonymous with the service and the beginning of Yom Kippur/erev Yom Kippur. The rabbis are Jewish law experts first and foremost, and Kol Nidre is an ancient prayer with a legal formula. It must be sung three times. Some congregations are creative with how this is done. Some will do a chanting in Hebrew then the English of Kol Nidre, followed by the Hebrew again. Some congregations will use a violin or a cello as one of the three versions. Whichever way it is done, the effect is powerful. We are transported to an ancient time and an ancient call. Kol Nidre speaks in the holy language of our yiddishe neshamas, our Jewish souls, and calls us back to ourselves. Will we answer the call tonight? 

Two quick reminders: 

1. Fasting is a large part of Yom Kippur, but only if your health allows it. It is a rabbinic commandment to not fast on Yom Kippur if you are unable to because of health reasons. Modern rabbinic ruling includes disordered eating and other mental health needs in this category. Please take care of your wellbeing and be mindful of others during this time. It is not shameful to take care of yourself, rather it is the commandment. 

2. All of the service times and the Zoom link can be found on our website or in the e-bulletin which was sent out on Wednesday. 

G'mar chatimah tova, may you have a meaningful holiday, and may you be sealed in the Book of Life. 

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz