High Holy Days 2021/5782
Dear Congregation Beth Ahabah Family,
At this time last year, as we prepared for Congregation Beth Ahabah’s first ever virtual High Holy Day Service offering, it seemed strange and scary, yet, as I hoped, many found true celebration and felt a connection to community as we joyfully welcomed the New Year from our own homes. I also know that others found it challenging and had a real sense of loss from not being able to be physically present in our magnificent Sanctuary and from not being able to all be together as a community. Last year, as we entered the New Year separately but together, we did not know what was to come. On the other hand, as we approached THIS year’s High Holy Day season, the world looked a little brighter. It seemed as though the vaccine was having a positive impact; restrictions were being lifted and in-person gatherings were becoming more frequent and getting larger. Then, as you know, the positive trajectory turned with the rise of the Delta Variant. As was often the case throughout this pandemic, we took two steps forward and one step back. This is where we find ourselves as we approach the Jewish New Year of 5782.
Your health and safety have always been the most important things to Congregation Beth Ahabah, and they will remain so. Thus, High Holy Day services this year will be a hybrid offering. ALL of our services will be available virtually AND those who are fully-vaccinated are welcome to join us in person for select services. We do understand that this means no children under the age of 12 will be able to attend in-person this year. That decision was not made lightly or quickly, but rather with input from pediatricians, the health department, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis along with our own Return to In-Person Events Committee. Our leadership showed great intention, patience, and courage in making the decision to protect our most precious resources – our children and all of you. It was, and remains, a heart-wrenching decision, but we believe that it is the right thing to do this year. We understand also that many families may choose to stay home even if you are all fully vaccinated. We understand also that many of you will be ecstatic to join us masked and vaccinated in the Sanctuary. Both are correct and perfectly okay. We want you to feel no pressure or guilt in regard to where or how you experience the High Holy Days this year. Please do what is best and most comfortable for you and your families.
For some this will be a great relief. We know that many of you enjoyed participating with your family in a comfortable setting and comfortable clothing from home, and there is good reason to have that experience again this year. For some, there will be feelings of loss. For others, there will be feelings of disappointment, and for all of us, things will once again feel different. It is, however, my sincerest belief that we can and will have another unique yet meaningful High Holy Day experience as we enter 5782.
In our lives, knowing and certainty are given a premium. Our culture rewards knowing and makes not-knowing a liability. Today, information is just a click away, and we have grown accustomed to finding answers before the questions even arise. Between digital calendars, endless alerts, mobile organizers, GPS and the like, we have nearly perfected our ability to plan and yet, life remains unpredictable. We have not been able to conquer all of life’s unknowns. Never has this been more apparent than through the last 18 months.
Perhaps we weren’t meant to know everything and vanquish the unknown. Imagine if we had a crystal ball and could see into the future. I’m not talking about those black plastic Magic 8 Balls that when turned upside down give us Yes or No answers. I’m talking about a powerful crystal ball that could foresee our future from one year to the next. What if we could see what will happen five years from now? The horrible things that happen to us today would be softened if we knew they would have a positive outcome. But, on the other hand, imagine our terror from knowing the worst possible outcomes ahead of time, outcomes we can see but can do nothing to alter.
The humility of these Holy Days emerges from not knowing the future, as excruciating as it can feel at times. And it comes from living in a state of hope and faith as well. So, as we approach the New Year of 5782, looking forward to the sacred mystery and majesty of it all, wherever and however we will experience it, let us approach it with hands and hearts open to the future, open to this new year, whatever it may bring.
At the end of the day what we can control is our outlook and our response. This year we have been constantly reminded that our lives and our world are fragile. Things can turn on a dime. We can only prepare so much – the rest is learning to accept what comes with grace.
During the High Holy Days we strive to follow the advice of Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl who said, “Everything can be taken from a person, but one thing – the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way...When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
As we prepare for that important work, please know that if I have done anything to hurt or offend you in the past year, I am sorry and I ask for your forgiveness and another chance. I will afford the same to all of you. Please join me as I continue to pray for the wellbeing and benefit of all members of Congregation Beth Ahabah and all whom they hold dear.
Congregation Beth Ahabah is always striving to meet the needs of our community and the realities of the world in which we live. Below is some specific information for the 2021 High Holy Day Season.
- High Holy Day Tickets and Materials
High Holy Day Tickets and other materials to help you participate in person and from home should arrive in the mail next week. Please also keep an eye on your mail for a second small delivery to help sweeten this new year!
- Machzor (High Holy Day Prayer Book Information)
Free Online Flipbooks will be available for all services except the Young Family (9am) Services. Additionally, there is the option to order your own copy of the prayer books at a discounted rate either in e-book (Kindle) or printed formats. Please check the High Holy Day Resource page on our website for detailed information at www.bethahabah.org/hhd-2021.
Members will be allowed to borrow prayer books for the Young Family Services. Please coordinate with the temple office to pick up a set of Young Family Service Prayer Books during regular business hours by contacting 804-358-6757 or a.shiflett@bethahabah.org.
- FeedMore Food Donation Drop Off Information
Congregation Beth Ahabah will still be collecting food for Feed More during the High Holy Day Season. Please stay tuned for drop off times and locations.
- The Full High Holy Day Service and Program Schedule can be found on our website at www.bethahabah.org/hhd-2021.
To close, I would like to say once again how proud I am of this congregation and its leadership, and of its continuing ability to grow, serve, and provide needed services and outreach especially during these difficult and trying times. We couldn’t have done any of it without you.
May the New Year be a sweet one for you and for all those you love. May the New Year be a year of blessing for us, for our people, and for all the world.
On behalf of the Board of Managers, Clergy, professionals and staff of
Congregation Beth Ahabah, and my entire family, I wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Scott Nagel,
The Sophia and Nathan Gumenick Senior Rabbi
