Hello Friends,
As we head into Shabbat, I am reflecting on the momentous days ahead for our congregation and the Jewish people as we enter into this most extraordinary High Holy Days.
5780 has made ample demands that we take stock on nearly every level of personal and collective life, and now we have reached the season in our people's annual arc that is all about reflection and integrating what we've learned and choosing our next step. Our question these past weeks and months has been "How will we answer the call?"
Maimonides taught us that "The human being is unique in this world among every kind of creature in this one way: a human, by it's own knowledge and reflection, can know what is good and what is evil and can resolve within itself to do either what is good or what is not."
This weekend, we begin this most human endeavor, to use our own knowledge and reflection to resolve within ourselves to do what is good. Of course, as Jews, even when we reflect by ourselves, we never have to do it alone!
To help us on this HHD path, KHN congregants have created resources (like the magnificent Days of Awe Reflection Journal created by Margaret Hobart and the prayerbook check-out opportunities led by Religious Life and friends) and will be leading online services and activities throughout the coming weeks.
I must say, when I see how our congregation has answered "the call" and stepped forward in service this year, especially to know that our youth will completely lead our services on Rosh Hashanah morning, I am filled with hope and humbled with pride in our mixed multitude here at KHN. Thank you. This time is precious, and I am thankful to get to share it with you.
Here are our High Holy Day 5781 services and events:
Saturday, September 12
4pm | S'lichot Service: Open the Gates! Teshuvah & Black Lives Mattering, led by Phil Bereano
7pm | Havdalah & Forgiveness Story Slam, hosted by Shannon Ninburg
Sunday, September 13
11am | First Steps workshop Toward Dancing at Simchat Torah: A Journey of Writing & Reflection, co-presented by Merna Anne Hecht and Fredda Jaffe
1pm | Puget Sound the Shofar with congregations across the region
Friday, September 18
7pm | Erev Rosh Hashanah Kabbalat Shabbat, led by 5780 Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, Sasha Rayburn, Susanna Bluhm-Callahan & Katie Price
Saturday, September 19
9:30am | RH Children's Service, led by Toby Kramer & Elizabeth Fagin
10am | Torah Study, led by Eric Orlin
11am | Rosh Hashanah Service led by KHN Youth
1:30pm | Shofar Blasts at North and South Lincoln Park, Lady Liberty @ Alki Beach, Madrona Beach, Mount Baker Beach and North Greenlake, organized by Richard Curtis
Wednesday, September 23
4pm | Dancing Closer workshop, co-presented by Fredda Jaffe and Merna Anne Hecht
Sunday, September 27
7pm | Kol Nidre, led by Qeren Weisser, Geoff Greenlee with d'var by Rabbi Anson Laytner
Monday, September 28
9:30am | Children's Service, led by Toby Kramer & Elizabeth Fagin
11am | Yom Kippur Service, led by KHN Ensemble members & Geoff Greenlee with d'var by Alexa Huggins
1:30pm | Tikkun Olam Workshop with Eric Ward, Director of Western State's Center and noted anti-white nationalist organizer
3pm | Yizkor, led by Gail Broder
4pm | Minchah, led by Michael Seidel
5pm | Ne'ilah, created & coordinated by Eddie Westerman
Friday, October 2
6pm | Sukkot Kabbalat Shabbat, led by Michael Sarko
Through the week following, KHN's sukkah will be up in the courtyard for members' use. Thank you, Paul Levin.
Saturday, October 10
7pm | Simchat Torah Havdalah, led by Fredda Jaffe & Merna Hecht
I hope you join us in as many services and activities as will enliven and encourage you during the High Holy Days. Here we go!
Shabbat shalom,
Jennifer Stewart
Shammes President
JOIN IN! S'lichot, Story Slam & First Steps Workshop online via
Zoom Meeting ID: 823 9998 3724 Passcode: AWE
Rosh Hashanah services via KHN FB livestream
