Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Please read to the bottom for important info!
Here are my sermons from Rosh Hashanah:
Day 1: Loving Our Own, and Everyone Else Too
Day 2: Trusting the Spectrum of Kashrut
We had a beautiful tashlich on Sunday at Oak Knoll Park, with more people than I've ever seen at a Kol Rinah tashlich. There was something very moving about seeing all these folks streaming slowly towards our gathering spot. It sort of felt like a flashmob. The perfect weather didn't hurt, either.
Tonight begins Yom Kippur. The fast (and candlelighting) begins at 6:08pm, and ends Saturday night at 7:04pm.
Mincha for Friday afternoon will be in the sanctuary Sunday at about 5:55pm. We'll start Kol Nidre in both the sanctuary and the Staenberg Family Community Hall at 6:10pm.
The full schedule is here.
Some of you remember when musician/filmmaker/poet Alicia Jo Rabins was here this past winter. As a way of getting into the spirit of Yom Kippur, I offer you a poem of hers that spoke to me this year--about the trap of self-satisfaction in confessing, about the need to be radically honest and yet also gentle with ourselves.
ATONEMENT, by Alicia Jo Rabins
When I first learned
The confessional prayers
I was relieved.
Finally, I thought, my chance
To let go the burden
Of all I’ve done wrong.
I whomped my fist against my chest
Enthusiastically, the sound
Hollow, dead, flesh on flesh-cavity.
This fallible flesh, I thought,
This self caring only for myself.
Whomp for the sin of deceit,
Whomp for unkindness, for gossip
Whomp, impatience and anger.
Afterwards I felt cleansed
And slightly proud of my self-hatred.
Now that, I thought, is atonement,
Then added a few more to atone
For my pride and self-satisfaction.
One year an old woman approached me
After services. You know, she said,
The mystics say we tap
To open our hearts, as if asking
Someone to peek out the door -
First a sliver, then a foot, then
If we are patient and kind,
Maybe they will open it fully
And invite us in. We practice
Kindness in the most difficult
Arena: our imperfect selves.
I never saw that woman again. Perhaps
I never saw her at all. But I
Think of her on Yom Kippur
When I dress in white
And bow my head
And knock gently on the gate
Of my heart, whispering,
Open the door, I forgive you,
Self, my sweet fallible love.
Here are a few reminders for you throughout Yom Kippur:
1. If you are coming in person, please bring (back) your nametag, and wear it. (We'll have extras, and we have lanyards.)
2. We cannot accommodate everyone in one service at peak times--that's why we have two fabulous services going on! For Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning (9:30am through Yizkor), Rabbi Micah Buck and Will Soll will be leading a beautiful service in the Staenberg Family Community Hall, joined for Kol Nidre by our beloved Karen Kern. At this service, they won't do every word in the machzor--it's not a completist approach, but rather, a spiritual, musical, intellectual, emotional engagement with Yom Kippur. I'll be giving my sermons in both rooms. Come early to all services to get the seats in the space that you want. And they will both be fabulous!
3. Parking is complicated, but less complicated and more abundant since it'll be the weekend. Please check details here, and allow extra time to park, especially Friday evening when everyone will be arriving at the same time for Kol Nidre.
4. At 10:30am on Saturday, Rabbi Jessica Shafrin will be teaching in the chapel on:
“Teshuvah: A Paradigm for Healing”
As we spend time in prayer for healing and reflecting during this time of repentance, what does healing look like and what is the wisdom that can guide us towards wholeness? We will dive into healing through repentance and discover if they are one and the same and how they work together.
5. In addition to all the kids and family services, there will be a teen gathering on Monday in the courtyard at noon.
6. At 3:00pm, during "the break," Rabbi Scott Shafrin, Karen Kern and Will Soll will lead a niggun circle. Come to sing or listen!
6. As a reminder, in addition to fasting, it is appropriate to abstain from wearing leather shoes and makeup, and to abstain from bathing and intimate relations. Some people wear white on Yom Kippur. If you cannot fast, do not fast! There are fantastic resources on https://www.amitzvahtoeat.org/ for those who cannot fast.
7. Livestreams of all indoor services will be available from our website.
8. Feel free to wear a mask, and we have some seating reserved for masks-only.
9. Please do not wear perfume or cologne, as some people are allergic, and get migraines!
10. Always feel free to bring an appropriate book to read at shul.
11. If you are volunteering or working at Kol Rinah on the holidays, be kind, be patient, be gentle, be appreciative. And if you see someone volunteering or working here, or if you see anyone here at all, be kind, be patient, be gentle, be appreciative!
12. Sukkot is coming right on the heels of Yom Kippur! The deadline for Brotherhood's (Veggie or) Steak and Spirits in the Sukkah (Sunday, October 20) is Sunday, October 13. Sign up for Sisterhood's Supper in the Sukkah (10/22)! Sign up too for our Simchat Torah dinner (10/24).
Every Shabbat and festival morning, we are still reciting a prayer for the State of Israel, a prayer for Israel Defense Forces soldiers, and a prayer for hostages, who have now been in captivity 371 days.
May the one who makes peace in the heavens make peace over us, and over all Israel, and over all who dwell in the world.
Shabbat shalom and may you have a meaningful Yom Kippur.
See you in shul,
Rabbi Noah Arnow
ZOOM AND STREAMING LINKS
To join our Zoom Minyanim or classes, click on the desired meeting link, or call into either of the following numbers:
+1 312 626 6799
+1 646 558 8656
Then, when prompted, enter the Meeting ID of the desired minyan/class then press #. Then, when prompted, enter the password then press #.
Services (all times Central)
Evening Minyan on Zoom
Sunday-Thursday evenings at 6pm (but not on Jewish holidays)
Morning Minyan on Zoom
Monday-Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7am; Sunday mornings and national holidays at 8am (not including Jewish holidays)
(Please note that Thursday morning minyan is now being held in-person at 7am (8am on national holidays) and is not on Zoom)
Friday nights and Shabbat mornings
Fridays, 6pm in the chapel (no streaming)
Saturdays, 9:00am (9:30am when we are doing our musical Kol Chadash service)
Click the link below, for the stream, as well as for additional instructions:
https://www.kolrinahstl.org/kr-streaming
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Phone: 314-727-1747