The Jewish New Year

I was raised in a Conservadox home, where my mother shared intellectual understanding of Judaism, and my dad set the tone for Orthodox observance. There were times, such as Friday night, where I was given the honor of dancing the Sabbath Queen into our evening service. I remember the transcendent state I entered into as I descended the stairs to our kitchen, with tiara and magic wand to usher in the magnificence of Shabbat and spread the spiritual gift of Shabbat throughout our home accompanied by my dad's beautiful voice rising up in heartfelt song to welcome me, and the Sabbath.

The Sabbath day itself rarely matched the spiritual elevation of the Friday night service in our kitchen. We all attended the Orthodox synagogue where men sat in the front and mumbled into their prayer books; where the stern rabbi demanded silence from the children; and where women sat hidden behind a carved divider upstairs in the balcony and gossiped througout the service. Every now and then, spirit entered the room as my dad's beautiful voice rose above the murmuring crowd in deep devotion and song.

There were many decades of wandering away from my tradition, where I sought out places and experiences which elevated my soul. Now, I find myself yearning for my roots, for a revival of the spirit I had embodied as the dancing Sabbath Queen.

This year I found it, as friend and cantorial soloist, Jodi Blankstein, hosted a small service in a rented community hall in Newton, Ma. Rather than spending time searching for the right page in a prayer book that held endless prayers, readings and repetitions, the service was based in song and music, and nothing can match the heart-opening experience of the Kol Nidre, first chanted by Jodi, then repeated by two cellos played with exquisite harmonies.

I left the service refreshed and uplifted, seeing my life and world with far greater compassion and joy. To all who celebrate the Jewish High Holidays, I offer my best wishes for a happy, healthy, forgiving, compassionate, loving New Year. May you all be inscribed in the book of life.

G'mar Chatima Tova!