CBI Blogs

While I am afraid to admit it, the High Holy Days are truly right around the corner. That means we will celebrate Selichot this Saturday, the beginning of this sacred time. The word Selichot translates to “forgiveness,” which is certainly the theme of the High Holy Days. The Selichot service offers penitential prayers, or prayers that ask for forgiveness, as we begin the process of atoning for those moments in which we missed the mark this past year.

As mentioned in previously blogs, we officially started that process during the month of Elul, the Hebrew month which immediately precedes the High Holy Days. We initiate the process of Cheshbon HaNefesh, the accounting of our soul. We take note of things we have said and actions we have taken, whether intentional or not that have hurt others. We think about how we can and will be better in the year to come, better to others, to ourselves, and to God.

Selichot offers us a starting line. With Selichot, we take all the accounting we’ve done and put it into action. We have words and prayers to speak. We can take our reflections and do the work to make amends. By starting with Selichot, we have the chance to enter the New Year with our best kavannah, our best intentions.

What is your kavannah for the year to come? How will you work towards creating a safer, more welcoming space? What will you do as an individual? What can we do as a community? As Rabbi Folberg said in his blog last week, “This is worthy spiritual work for us to do, as individuals and with the kavvanah of striving to be an exceptionally welcoming and embracing synagogue.”

Join us for our Selichot program and service to think about the necessary changes we each need to make as we move into the New Year. Our program will provide an important perspective about the experiences many clergy have encountered throughout their careers. However, this is not just about clergy alone. Unfortunately, most people have experienced these various situations in their lives, including within our own beloved CBI building. We will engage in deep, meaningful conversation about the film, our reaction to the film, and think about how we want to shape the future of our community.

Our Selichot service will provide us with the opportunity to ask forgiveness for the mistakes we’ve made over the past year and years, as well as give us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to making the world better. We will begin that work as individuals, then expand to our greater community, and perhaps, the world as a whole.

I hope that each of you will consider what kavannah you’re bringing to this New Year. And, I pray that you will find that wholeness and peace, however you enter the year to come. As our High Holy Day liturgy reminds us, “Through repentance, prayer, and tzedakah (righteous giving), we can transcend the harshest decrees.” May we all do so in the year to come, and may the New Year be full of sweetness, good health, and joy for all.