Courtesy/LAJC
By RABBI JACK SHLACHTER
Los Alamos Jewish Center
In communities around the world, countless rabbis are at this very moment engaged in the enormously challenging task of exhorting Jews to attend the local synagogue for the upcoming holidays of Rosh HaShanah, the “New Year,” and Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement.”
As in everything, however, Los Alamos is unique – our rabbi (yours truly) is only gently encouraging Jews to come to the Los Alamos Jewish Center for these Jewish High Holidays. If ever there was a time in the past several decades when identifying with the Jewish community is important, however, that time is now. And there’s probably no better opportunity to express that identification than the Jewish High Holidays.
Recognizing that a major barrier to synagogue participation can be a lack of familiarity with what takes place in a communal worship service, I’m offering two free-standing, hour-long primers on the Jewish High Holidays on two Friday evenings in September. These no-cost classes are open to Jews, people who are Jewish-adjacent, the Jewishly curious, and the general public; no knowledge of Hebrew or of Jewish practice is required.
After Friday evening Shabbat (Sabbath) services on both Sept. 5 and Sept. 19, we’ll take an in-depth dive into the Jewish High Holidays: we’ll explore their meaning for today, the liturgical passages that most resonate in the 21st century, and ways to feel comfortable in a setting that may not be terribly familiar. The two sessions are somewhat independent, and we welcome those who would like to join one or the other rather than both. Anyone who would like to come earlier and participate in the regular Friday evening Sabbath services is welcome; services start at 5:30 p.m., and are followed by light refreshments at approximately 6:30 p.m.
For me, being “religious,” in Judaism, does not refer to how often someone attends a synagogue. I tend to think of Judaism not as a religion but of Jews as an extended family, with members whose beliefs range from atheism to mysticism, and whose ritual practices range from daily prayer to never setting foot in a synagogue. What Jews do share is a national homeland, a broad set of values focused on the immense worth of human beings, and a collection of ancient traditions that include many holidays throughout the year. From my perspective, those who participate in worship experiences are not necessarily more religious than those who don’t participate.
For those who do participate in communal worship, having a little preparation before entering a synagogue service makes the experience more meaningful. So, whether this is your first High Holiday season at LAJC or your 50th, please join me for these two exploratory sessions on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Who knows – you may even want to attend the holiday services!
The Sept. 5 and Sept. 19 sessions begin at 7 p.m. at the Los Alamos Jewish Center, 2400 Canyon Road. Please see the Jewish Center website www.lajc.org for information on other LAJC events, including discussions on the Hebrew bible; Saturday morning Shabbat services with Torah reading; family events such as Tot Shabbats; monthly community Shabbat dinners; get-togethers for Jewish 20s/30s; holiday celebrations; and more. www.lajc.org, phone messages: 505.662.2140; email: losalamosjewishcenter@lajc.org.