Lehigh Valley Jewish communities try to inspire awe during Rosh Hashana
The days between Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, and YomKippur, the Day of Atonement, are typically called the High Holy Days, or Days of Awe.
The two holidays are the holiest for Jews, and mark a time when nearly everyone comes to synagogue for services, even if they’re not observant during the rest of the year.
As Lehigh Valley Jews prepare to welcome the new year at sundown Friday with apples and honey to symbolize hopes for a sweet year, many won’t be gathering in synagogues. Instead, they’ll stream services or attend socially distanced services outside.
Area rabbis said the unusual circumstances offer a chance for congregants to be especially reflective as they observe at home or participate in a service free of the usual trappings and social obligations. That self-reflection is a key part of the holiday, and this year could be shaped by the tumult of the last few months.
“Frequently on the high holidays we take a lot of what’s going on around us and look inward and see, ‘What role am I playing in this? What can I do?’ ” said Rabbi Nisan Andrews of Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown. “Or if I’m concerned, how do I express that worry to my friends, my family and to God?”
Rosh Hashana marks the creation of the world, and 10 days later Yom Kippur marks the day of judgment. The time between is supposed to be a time to repent, when Jews can set the record straight with God, themselves and each other, said Rabbi Seth Phillips at Keneseth Israel.
“When we think about greatest good, when is that mountaintop moment ... these days have that potential,” he said.
Congregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown didn’t want its members to lose sight of the Days of Awe, so it sent “bags of awe” to help congregants feel connected to their synagogue.
“Our goal was to make the holidays feel as personal and spiritual as possible even though we can’t do it in the normal way,” said Vikki Dunn, an administrator at the synagogue.
The bags have labels designed by a congregant, and contain booklets so members can follow along with streamed services, a book of activities created by congregants that families can do together, notices, and, of course, some honey. Other synagogues sent similar bags to their members.
Phillips said the bags both deliver sweetness and the tools needed to transform the home into a spiritual place.
The High Holy Days can be a performance, where people show up once, watch the performance of services, and go home.
“Turning your homeinto a holy place with various resources, that’s what we’ll take forward next year and hope to bring a higher level of Jewish involvement and knowledge and passion for our members,” he said.
One hallmark of Rosh Hashana is the blowing of the shofar, an instrument made from an animal’s horn. Hearing blasts directly from the instrument is considered a mitzvah, or good deed. Without meeting in person, most congregants won’t be able to hear it directly.
That’s why Jay Needle, a Lower Macungie Township resident who sounds the shofar at Temple Beth El each year, has been stopping by homes and assisted living facilities all week so congregants will have a chance to hear it.
He said listeners are joyous, especially on the last blast, which is held so long his face turns red.
Needle will be one of a handful of congregants present during the synagogue’s Rosh Hashana service this year, which will be livestreamed to members. The synagogue’s Rabbi Moshe Re’em said congregants should take care to create a clean and organized sacred space in their homes and act as if they’re in the presence of God, even if they’re not in synagogue.“The question is how does one obtain a sense of awe when one is at home, when one is in a space that isn’t normally associated with a prayer space and when one is surrounded with messages of so much fear and anxiety,” Re’em said.
Temple Bnai Shalom in Easton will host High Holy Day services on YouTube. The synagogue, which merged two Easton congregations Aug. 1, has been doing weekly services over Zoom.
The pandemic in some ways allows more people to access services because they don’t have to go to synagogue. But it also represents a loss, Rabbi Melody Davis said, especially since so many Jews only come to synagogue for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.“(For some people, those two big holidays of the year are the days they reaffirm they are Jewish, and not to have that opportunity is really difficult”) she said.
Sons of Israel will offer socially
distanced, in-person services under a canopy. The synagogue is Orthodox and adheres strictly
to Jewish law. Harry Fisher, co-president, said they don’t record on the Sabbath or a holy day. Regular prayer sessions during the week are done using Zoom, he said.
The synagogue’s High Holy Day service typically runs for 5 ½ hours, but this year it will run for 2 ½ hours to reduce exposure, Fisher said. There will also be less singing, which will cut down on length and also make the gathering less risky.
Andrews, the Sons of Israel rabbi, expects the social distancing to lead to more self-reflection or introspection. While typically people come to Rosh Hashana services and see friends they don’t normally see, this year they’ll focus more on the prayers.“If you’re making the effort to come out you’re going to appreciate the prayer service a bit more,” he said.“Those staying at home will be praying, saying everything they are supposed to, and it won’t be encumbered with all the social expectations of being pleasant and nice and greeting your friends.”