The High Holydays have passed and, I will admit, I did enjoy leading the worship services. There must be something to the expression “absence makes the heart grow fonder” since, as the days approached, I encountered a good number of rabbinical colleagues who spoke of their “fear and dread” of all that was coming at them. For my part, I couldn’t wait to see how each part that was planned would unfold.
Several highlights that I want to underscore. First, there were numerous individuals who shared pieces of themselves and their talents which really enhanced the experience and kept it from being a purely clergy-driven service. Working with Rachel and the choir was a dream. She and the choir simply get better and better. We are unbelievably fortunate to have Rachel’s skill and spiritual presence.
Second, I have a picture in my mind of the 50 or so children from our congregation marching up to the bimah to the singing of Avinu Malkenu, dressed in white tops, and placing their prayers in their own sefer chayim, Book of Life. As we came to the end of Neila, the auditorium was full, and the energy was palpable. The children will long remember being on the bimah for the final blast of the shofar and havdallah. I trust that this new custom will have a long history at Adat Shalom and that all families will make a point to be there with their children in future years.
Third, and perhaps most memorable, was the exchange I had with Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain of Georgetown University on the second day of Rosh haShana on the lessons of the binding of Isaac story. I got my share of raised eyebrows upon announcing the plan in the High Holyday bulletin. As the dialogue came to its conclusion and we finally joined arms in singing, Od Yavo Shalom, “Peace will yet Come” with its alternating Hebrew and Arabic words for peace, Salaam/Shalom, there were tears in the eyes of most of the people in the sanctuary. It was an experience of teshuva, of turning, repentance and reconciliation of the highest magnitude. We can only pray that what happened in our small corner of the globe might echo and be repeated in many other places in the world. God knows, the world needs it. I trust that there might be ways that our community can follow up on the spirit of that morning in the year ahead.
It is my privilege to serve this community as its founding rabbi. With deep gratitude and appreciation.
Rabbi Sid Schwarz