Congregation Beth Shalom

September 16, 2019 – 16 Elul, 5779  

Shalom, Beth Shalom and Friends!

Selichot means prayers, poems, and meditations of forgiveness, referring specifically to the liturgy recited prior to and during the High Holyday season. While Rosh Hashana is commonly considered the official start, tradition, however, teaches, that this sacred season begins a month earlier in order for us to prepare meaningfully, taking stock of who we are, where we have been, and how we intend to proceed with our lives.

Formal Selichot liturgy is recited beginning this Saturday 7:00 pm, September 21, here at Beth Shalom. Opportunity is the theme for our Selichot. We are poised to welcome the new year embracing the opportunities before us.  We have the opportunity to forgive others and ourselves, we have the opportunity to change, or, at least tweak our behavior to improve our lives. We have the opportunity to be more compassionate to others; we have the opportunity to give and share more and speak with sensitivity to the power of our words. We have the opportunity to accept what life offers and actively engage in taking control of what we can.  Selichot will tend to our unique awareness of opportunity.

Selichot’s penitential prayers and liturgy resonate forgiveness and mercy tailored to direct our hearts and minds towards Teshuvah (repentance). They include the words "God will answer us," recalling the times in Jewish history when God answered those who have called for guidance and love. And, God will answer us today, as we yearn for inspiration.

All are welcome to our musical and spiritual Selichot when we remove the Torah scrolls from the ark, change the mantles to white marking the onset of the High Holydays. Welcome the opportunity of a clean slate for us to inscribe our hopes and wishes and pray for God’s inscription that we be granted a year of blessing. Following the one hour Selichot ceremony we share an Oneg of sweets.

Shana Tova Umetukah-May you be blessed with a sweet new year. Leheetraot- Looking forward to seeing you.   

Rabbi Mark Kula

This Wednesday at 4 pm we excitedly begin Shalom Kids, our Jewish learning program for kindergarten to Bar and Bat Mitvzah.  Thank you to our volunteer teachers, tutors and Amber for her leadership of Shalom Kids.  If you know any students or families who would benefit from Shalom Kids let them know they are welcome and we would be happy to reach out to them.

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Amber's Voice 

The High Holidays bring us some of our most beautiful melodies and heart-wrenching prayers. Listening to or chanting them on our own is a wonderful way to prepare for this time of introspection, transformation, and t’shuva - returning to our truest selves. Below are some recordings of holiday tunes to get you into the spirit of the season (that you won’t hear over and over again on the radio!). Try playing them or singing with them as a meditative practice while you’re sitting or lying down, focusing on your intentions for the New Year. You’ll be hearing these on Selichot this Saturday and throughout the High Holidays, so now you can get a head start on being able to sing along during services.

Return Again
Achat Sha'alti
Sh'ma Koleinu

Lyrics for all here.

May our voices be heard and our prayers received,

Amber

Amber Ikeman, Cantorial Soloist/Program Director