A Belated Ringing in of 5780!

Adas Israel “Pathways” High Holidays Theme / photo taken by Rachel Mauro

We’re now deep into the fall holidays, so better recap my Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at Adas Israel! Here are my High Holidays Highlights:

• Joining the flash choir, led by Cantor Brown, has become a Rosh Hashanah Day 2 staple for me. So much so that I am now a “veteran alto” when it comes to singing Leonard Cohen’s rendition of Hal’lujah psalm as arranged by Elliot Z. Levine. We get new members every year, and very little time to practice because the Cantor is busy preparing services for all of the Holy Days! I got to help my fellow altos find their place. Felt good to be giving back.
• We were back outside for the “Return Again” Kol Nidre service–and I even found a seat! :0 I kid you not when I say hundreds of people were in attendance at the Adas Israel parking lot for the alternative musical service led by Rabbis Holtzblatt and Krinsky. Featuring such sundries as belting “Adon Olam” to the tune of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” at the end! But my favorite part was watching the full moon drift in and out of the clouds above the stage. Added quite the sense of majesty.
• The Yom Kippur afternoon guest speaker this year was Supreme Justice Elena Kagan–and I’ve never seen the Smith Sanctuary so full, even for RBG! (At least I got a seat that year!) But Kagan was worth balancing on my heels for, as she talked about her Jewish upbringing, eccentric legal jobs and Supreme Court junior justice hazing. 😛 She was also an advocate for compromise in our politically polarized times, and stressed that the justices don’t spend their time in enmity. (Also, when they did disagree, it’s on a more personal level than “Democrats” vs “Republicans.”) Powerful message…though later, when I heard some congregants gush about her speech, they added the caveat that they hoped Kagan could curb the “yahoos” of the court. 😛 Part of me agrees with them…part of me thinks we all missed the message of her talk!

What were your favorite experiences of High Holidays 5780? Feel free to share in the comments!

Sukkot continues through Sunday, Oct 20, followed by Simchat Torah on the 21st! Check out what local synagogues are up to by clicking here.