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The Music of the Shofar Service
Tekiah! Teruah! Shevarim! Tekiah Gedolah!
Un’taneh Tokef: The Awesome Sanctity of This Day
In the traditional liturgy, the special character of each holiday is particularly conveyed by the piyyutim (hymns, liturgical poems) that are recited or chanted on that day. Most of these piyyutim have been omitted in Reform liturgies since the nineteenth century, out of a sense that their Hebrew diction is too arcane and their theology too medieval. Yet, some of these poems have routinely been retained in Reform High Holy Day prayer books, particularly for Yom Kippur.
A Jewish Response to Political Scandal
As we witness public figures dismantled by the revelation of ugly episodes from their pasts, we parents must distill these events and their aftermath for our children.
When You Get Stuck in the Fish
Every Yom Kippur afternoon, we read the story of Jonah, perhaps because Jonah is the story of all of us.
Wrestling With Abraham
Each Rosh HaShanah, the Akedah ("The Binding of Isaac"), Abraham's near sacrifice of his son Isaac at God's behest, highlights for us the impenetrable paradox of affirming a good, omnipotent God who causes bad things to happen to good people. How could God promise to make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars of the heavens, and then order Abraham to "Take your son…and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering…"? (Gen 22:2)
Celebrate Rosh HaShanah with Shalom Sesame: Sounding the Shofar
Watch this Shalom Sesame video with your children and try these fun activities to explore and learn more about the shofar, Rosh HaShanah and the High Holidays!
Celebrate Rosh HaShanah with Shalom Sesame and Rosh HaShanah Hannah
Watch this Shalom Sesame video with your children and sing along with Rosh HaShanah Hannah! Try fun activities to explore and learn more about Rosh HaShanah and the HIgh Holidays.
Learn About Yom Kippur with Shalom Sesame: Saying Sorry
A new way to explore the meaning of Yom Kippur with your family: watch these Shalom Sesame videos with your children to learn about the concept of saying sorry, and try some of the activities suggested by Reform Jewish educators.
6 Ways to Prepare for the High Holidays
Jewish tradition provides us with several reminders of the upcoming Days of Awe, as well as a number of ways we can prepare for them.