Holding Our Jewish Communities in Care During these High Holidays
In this season, Jewish members of FAN observe the High Holidays or Days of Awe. They/we have already prepared deeply for this time, and celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the new year. Today, Wednesday October 1, begins Yom Kippur, a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, repentance and turning (T'shuvah). Our network hopes for a meaningful holy day and holds you/us in healing and prayer.
Rabbi Joseph Meszler of Temple Sinai in Sharon, MA, writes: "Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with our fellow human beings, ourselves, and God. As the New Year begins, we commit to self-reflection and inner change. He prays:
But amidst overwhelming forces of nature and humankind,
we still write our own Book of Life,
and our actions are the words in it,
and the stages of our lives are the chapters,
and nothing goes unrecorded, ever.
Every deed counts.
Everything you do matters.
And we never know what act or word
will leave an impression or tip the scale.
So, if not now, then when?
For the things that we can change, there is t’shuvah, realignment,
For the things we cannot change, there is t’filah, prayer,
For the help we can give, there is tzedakah, justice.
Together, let us write a beautiful Book of Life
for the Holy One to read." | 
