Rabbi's Chayva's Chat

Can you believe that we’re already into Elul, and Rosh Hashanah is three weeks away? Two weeks ago, I gave an overview of the schedule in my Dispatch note, and now that Am Tikvah members have received the High Holy Day packets in the mail, I want to draw your attention to things that will be new or different this year. (Also: if you are a member and have not received your packet, please call the office at 415-586-8833.)

First, we are going to bring back Reverse Tashlich, the tikkun olam opportunity of cleaning up our beautiful Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica on Sunday, September 29, 1-2 pm. This year, we’re partnering with Or Shalom, and the event is open to everyone, so feel free to bring your friends, gloves, sneakers, and trash bags.

Second, the Rosh Hashanah hike that was previously on the second day of Rosh Hashanah will become a spiritual practice to prepare for Rosh Hashanah. It will follow Reverse Tashlich on Sunday, September 29, from 2:00 to 3:00 or 3:30 pm. We will hike up to Mori Point and open ourselves up to the awe and peace of the ocean. 

A note for both Reverse Tashlich and the spiritual hike: make sure to allow time for travel and possibly carpool, because they will overlap with the second day of FogFest in Pacifica. We’ll be away from the heart of the festival, but best to plan just in case.

I’ll try to cover the rest succinctly. (The key word is “try” - I’m a rabbi, we like words.) 

For the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we will join Ner Tamid for a creative service built around the music of Leonard Cohen, with a few Carole King songs included for good measure. We will still chant the Akedah, the binding of Isaac, and we’ll teach about Rachel’s tears in the haftarah. Ner Tamid will join us at Am Tikvah on Saturday morning for Shabbat Shuvah services as well, completing the exchange.

Since the second day of Rosh Hashanah is on a Friday, our Friday night services on October 4 will be Zoom only. It will be low key, just a moment for us to be together and come down from the heights of Rosh Hashanah to the peaceful groundedness of Shabbat.

For better or for worse, the anniversary of October 7 lands right between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. Rather than turn inward, we are going to join the greater San Francisco Jewish community at the joint service at Congregation Emanu-El. As this anniversary approaches, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or others to talk about what it brings up for you.

On Yom Kippur afternoon this year, we have a mix of new and old: Rabbi Laura Geller, my mentor and friend, will lead a workshop along the theme of her Yom Kippur Morning sermon and her book, Getting Good at Getting Older. I recommend buying the book in advance if you plan on going. Following Rabbi Geller’s workshop, our very own Beth Weisberg will lead a QiGong and gentle stretching session, which is back by popular demand! Finally, we’ll have a music and meditation service in which Jerry Bernstein will lead the meditation, and Ariela Morgenstern, Jodi Meromy, and I will lead reflective, secular song.

Almost there! We’ll have our regular Sukkot programs this year, but I want to give you a heads up that the office will create a sign-up sheet so that people can host group events in the sukkah. Do you want your committee to have a meal together? Is your group of family and friends game for a singalong? You’ll be able to plan your own Sukkot events in the Am Tikvah sukkah - keep an eye out for the link in future Dispatches. 

Finally, youth and family services will precede Erev Rosh Hashanah and Erev Yom Kippur services this year, rather than happen concurrently with morning services. I keep asking, but God still hasn’t granted me the ability to be in two places at once (which is probably wise). There will still be childcare during adult services.

That’s all the new stuff! If you made it to this point, then perhaps you’ll join me in how I feel while writing this: excited, ready, and with a huge sense of “I can’t wait to see you!” See you soon!