This High Holy Day season will be unlike any other.  But, isn’t everything?

Abnormal is the new normal. Irregular is the new regular. Up is down and down is up. Why should High Holy Days be any different? We need to differentiate these special days even as most days blend into one another. Our holy days are meant as a time to reflect on how to do and how to be better. We need to take a few deep breaths and then emphatically say “a pandemic is not going to steal Rosh HaShanah… Yom Kippur...my Judaism… from me. My soul needs to be refreshed.”

As a community, we are moving forward with our services. As I write this letter, a team of staff and congregants are already producing segments of our services so that it feels different than a standard online gathering. Choirs are being recorded, documentary style segments are being taped, and services are coming together in a form never previously done at Kol Tikvah.

The majority of them will premiere on Facebook, Youtube and our website. All pre-recorded services will be followed by zoom gatherings so that we can do a prayer or two together as a community. 

So, here’s our request, no matter how tired you are looking at screens, don’t skip Judaism’s most special days. 

Participate. 

Invite your family and friends to participate, too. 

Here’s a hidden blessing -- for once you can pray in the same service with relatives and friends no matter where they live in the world. Make Kol Tikvah the community and the service for your family and friends. 

We look forward to praying and reflecting with you this High Holy Day season. Our energies will be renewed, giving us the strength to heal our world.

L'Shalom, B'Shalom,

Rabbi Jon Hanish                                                    Cantor Noa Shaashua                                                   President Robert Mulein