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Jewish congregations in the Tri-Valley are getting ready for the Jewish New Year and high holidays, with the local observances that begin next week likely presenting a different feeling and significance this year given the events in the Middle East and how the calendar falls.
“The arrival of the New Year is supposed to fill us with joy and hope for the future,” said Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder, of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton. “These High Holy Days, however, will also be marked by solemn remembrance. Oct. 7 is the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ murderous assault on a music festival and villages in Israel. This year, that date falls between the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick of Chabad of the Tri-Valley, also based in Pleasanton, told the Weekly, “Ever since the terror attack last year, we have seen an increase in the number of Jews who feel the need to reconnect and strengthen their bond with their heritage, traditions and People. It’s at times like this when community comes together.”
Rosh Hashanah will run from next Wednesday evening (Oct. 2) until Friday (Oct. 4), with Jews gathering for evening prayers to mark the New Year on Wednesday and morning prayers on Thursday and Friday, Milder noted. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will follow on Oct. 11-12.
All holy days observances at Congregation Beth Emek, the Tri-Valley’s Reform synagogue, will be held in-person and online. See the full schedule of events at bethemek.org.
“Our hearts are with the men, women and children still being held hostage in Gaza,” Milder said. “In Jewish tradition, redemption of the captives is one of the highest mitzvot, one of the most important of our sacred obligations. We pray for the speedy return of the hostages to their homes and families, for an end to war, for an end to the suffering of innocent civilians, and for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
Resnick noted that the “center and focal point of the Jewish New Year is the sounding of the shofar (a hollowed-out ram’s horn).”
“By sounding the shofar, we infuse new energy and blessing into the universe and into our lives for this coming year. As we listen to the shofar’s piercing and penetrating sound, we are inspired to become better and holier people,” he said.
Chabad will sound the shofar at its Center for Jewish Life next Thursday and Friday at 11:45 a.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. at a special “Shofar in the Park” event on both days at Ken Mercer Sports Park in Pleasanton.
“Especially in light of the terror attacks in Israel, we encourage the entire Jewish community to join us for this important holiday observance,” Resnick said. “For Chabad, this upcoming Jewish year carries an extra measure of significance and joy. We are celebrating our 20th year serving the Tri-Valley’s community, and we are months away from opening our newly constructed facility.”
To learn more about Chabad’s three-course community New Year dinner and services on Wednesday and all other high holiday season events, go to www.JewishTriValley.com. Chabad is also hosting a free special event this Sunday (Sept. 29) at 7:30 p.m. with Itamar Shapira, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival from Israel.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews are also holding observances, including their annual Rosh Hashanah Celebration on Wednesday in Livermore with a pot luck dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by an hour-long ceremony of readings and music at 7:30 p.m. that is online as well as in-person.
Their Yom Kippur gathering with music, readings and discussion is set for 2-5 p.m. Oct. 12.
“Rabbi Judith Seid will lead a short ceremony of repentance and forgiveness at 2 p.m,” TVCJ reps said. “Discussions sessions following will include mental health, forms of governance, education and invasive/endangered species during which participants will be encouraged to examine how they can have impacts on these social problems in the year to come. The afternoon will conclude with a remembrance (nizkor) ceremony. Quiet activities will be available for children for whom the afternoon might be inappropriate.”
For more information, go to trivalleyculturaljews.org.
