Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Here are my sermons from Kol Nidre and Yizkor on Yom Kippur.
We enter Yom Kippur with a measure of trepidation, ready (or not ready) to say "we have sinned," and proceed to enumerate our flaws and shortcomings for twenty-five hours. But through Neilah (the "closing of the gates"), as we edge towards the end of Yom Kippur, the feelings of joy and relief (we hope) take over.
We have a brief four-day interval of chol--of non-festival days, and then begin Sukkot--zman simchateinu--the season of our rejoicing.
With Israel's wars with Gaza and Hezbollah (and Iran?) simmering, with about 101 hostages still in Gaza, our elections three weeks away, and the general state of the world, nine days of joy may not feel like where our heads or hearts are at.
As if this all weren't enough, this holiday period concludes with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah Thursday and Friday of next week. Shemini Atzeret is also the first yahrzeit (anniversary on the Jewish calendar) of October 7.
It can be hard to generate a sense of joy when it's not entirely organic. We may even feel guilty for being happy, when we know others are struggling and suffering much more than we are.
Joy, I think, comes most profoundly from two linked experiences. The first is gratitude. Awareness of the ways, even amidst everything, we are blessed with so many blessings, the ways our cups run over, can be a profound source of joy.
Second, helping to "fill the cups" of others, to bring a measure of joy to others, can be joyful too. About Sukkot (as well as Pesach and Shavuot), the Torah tells us that we're supposed to celebrate with our families, but also with the biblical world's most vulnerable--the stranger, the widow, the orphan (Dt. 16:14).
So, if you're having trouble generating joy this Sukkot, focus on your gratitude, and think how you can bring some joy to others, by donating, by inviting, by sharing, by giving.
These are two of the best recipes I know for cooking up joy.
And also, it never needs to be that we only feel joy; our hearts and emotions are capacious and complex enough to be able to feel multiple and conflicting feelings simultaneously. But this season, we strive extra hard to make joy at least part of our emotional mix.
Sukkot begins tonight--Wednesday evening. Candle lighting is at 6:03pm.
Services Thursday (1st day of Sukkot), Friday (2nd day of Sukkot) and Saturday (Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot) will all be in the sanctuary starting at 9am. Services will include Hallel and Hoshanot!
Bring your lulav and etrog Thursday and Friday (but not Saturday).
Saturday, we'll also read from Ecclesiastes, and have kiddush in the Sukkah.
Please note that there are no evening services any of those evenings, not again until Sunday evening on Zoom.
Our Grief Havurah, led by Rabbi Jessica Shafrin, will still meet this Wednesday evening (i.e TONIGHT) at 6:30pm at the synagogue, in the Sukkah.
A reminder (second of three times this season) about Eruv Tavshlin!
Usually, one is permitted to cook on a festival day only for that day, and not for the next day. However, since Shabbat comes right on the heels of the first two days of Sukkot, we are permitted to cook on the second day of Sukkot (Friday) to prepare food for Shabbat, as long as we begin our preparations before the festival begins, by making what is called an eruv tavshilin. Click here for instructions.
Next week, minyan will be on Zoom Sunday evening, Monday morning, Monday night, Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening.
Also Tuesday evening, starting at 7:30pm, Bais Abe is hosting a Hoshana Rabba Night of Learning in the Sukkah at Bais Abe, cosponsored by Kol Rinah and CRC. Join us for some great learning and community building, even if you come late (like after the Sisterhood Supper in the Sukkah).
Wednesday morning, Hoshana Rabba services (with the year's craziest nusach--the melodies/chants used) and the opportunity to BEAT WILLOWS ON THE FLOOR will be at 7am in person (and not on Zoom).
Here's the full end of holidays schedule:
Hoshana Rabbah (Erev Shemini Atzeret) – Wednesay, October 23
7:00 am Shacharit (in person—not on Zoom!)
5:45 pm Mincha, Festival Maariv/Yizkor*
Shemini Atzeret (Erev Simchat Torah) – Thursday, October 24
9:00 am Festival Shacharit*
10:45 am approx. Yizkor*
5:30 pm Simchat Torah Dinner (RSVP required by end of today)
6:15 pm Maariv, Simchat Torah Hakafot and Dancing*
Simchat Torah – Friday, October 25
9:00 am Shacharit with Hakafot and Dancing*
Shabbat Breisheet--Saturday, October 26 at 9:00 am*
I'm excited that my friend Pastor Carlos Smith of Refresh Community Church (formerly known as The Journey Hanley Road) will be giving the sermon this morning (about 11:15am). Come hear from him and welcome him!
(* The asterisk indicates services that will be livestreamed.)
As we know, elections are coming soon. Our Tzedek Committee has put together some fantastic non-partisan election resources on voting, finding about what's on your ballot (including all the various amendments and propositions), and ways to volunteer to serve as an election judge, and more.
For more and collected Israel information, see this page on our website, as well as the Jewish Federation of St. Louis's Israel Resources page.
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 376 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.
Chag Sameach, Shabbat shalom, and 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)
t(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