Temple De Hirsch Sinai - Keep Current

High Holy Days are almost here!

“Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.”
— Bob Dylan

Dylan’s paradox reflects the inconsistencies and the realities of the human condition. The young believe they have little to learn, and with age comes the wisdom to realize how little we truly know. The key is perspective—a point of view in time that imbues us with insight, vision and, if we’re lucky, humility.

But the passing of time is not the only force that earns us perspective. We must also strive for openness—an openness of heart and mind to grow through our mistakes, applying hard-earned lessons to succeeding possibility. The High Holidays offer a unique opportunity to meld time to openness. During these Awesome Days, we glean meaning from the cycles of time through honest consideration of self. Showing up at the right time is only half the battle. We must also make the most of that time, seeking change for ourselves as we work to bring change to the world.

May these holy days bless you and yours with health, happiness and peace through time well spent.

B’shalom,
Daniel A. Weiner
Rabbi

High Holy Days Service Schedule
Sanctuaries open at 6:15pm for Evening Services and 8:45am for Morning Services

The TDHS Memorial Book will be distributed during the Memorial Service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when we especially remember our beloved departed. Temple De Hirsch Sinai's Memorial Book is a dignified way of paying tribute to our dear ones who have been called to their eternal rest.

The Deadline to get your entry in by is Monday, August 16, 2010

The High Holy Days are rapidly approaching and we are once again looking for ushers to assist Temple at each of the services. We have added coverage at the Family Services this year. Your participation is critical. Please help your Temple by ushering this year.

Ushers assist on rotating schedules in both Seattle & Bellevue starting an hour prior to the services and running through the exit of congregants at the end of services. To see sample schedules showing when & where ushers are scheduled click here.

Please email or call Charlene Polyansky (charlene@tdhs-nw.org or 206/315-7389) if you’d like to participate and let us know your availability. Charlene will coordinate all usher scheduling. We will also provide reserved seating cards for you to use so that you will be assured of having seats with your family after your turn ushering.

This year, all basic activities will be similar to last year with strategies designed to provide security and limit ingress and egress before and after services. Your responsibility will be to assist security guards who check tickets, help maintain order, watch for and report people and issues of concern, and assist worshippers as needed – all tasks similar to years’ past. To identify you as an usher, you will be supplied with a nametag.

Thank you in advance for your commitment to Temple and your willingness to consider ushering. With your assistance, I am sure that we can look forward to another efficiently managed holiday season. Once the schedule is complete, we will confirm with you all arrangements just prior to services.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year and thanks again for your assistance.

“But Repentance Prayer and Righteous Giving Temper Judgement’s Severe Decree”

The process of Teshuvah (repentance) is a serious, lengthy and gradual one. During this holyday period, we engage in the first two levels of teshuvah: awareness of our wrongdoing and voicing our vows to change. The third level, the most vital and the one upon which the first two depend, is the fulfillment of our vows when challenged.

During these Yamim HaNoraim (Awesome Days), in addition to our communal and individual prayers, our feelings of fellowship and bonds to

our history and destiny, we are challenged to actively and authentically confront ourselves, refine ourselves, and renew ourselves. As an aid in embracing this task, please use this Teshuvah Worksheet to help focus your thoughts and spirit upon the sacred task at hand.

Teshuvah/Repentance
Relationships:
1.) How am I part of the problem in the following relationship: my spouse/ significant other, my children, my parents, my siblings, my friends and my co-workers?
2.) How can I contribute to healing this relationship?
3.) How can I act on that contribution immediately? (seek that person out, ask for forgiveness, forgive insults and slights against you)

Care of the Mind:
6.) How did I enrich my knowledge and thinking?
7.) How did I increase my openness and tolerance?

Care of the Soul:
8.) How did I care for/neglect my soul during this past year?
9.) What can I do to better care for my soul? (read books, attend classes, provide reflective time)

T’fillah/Prayer
10.) What is the quality of my prayer life? Do I pray merely for answers, or seek to cultivate a relationship with God and the divinity in others?
11.) What can I do to enrich the quality of my prayer life? (attend worship more often, learn Hebrew, study the meaning and content of the prayers)

TzedAkah/Righteous Giving
12.) How much of my economic resources have I given to worthy/needy pursuits? What more can I give?
13.) How much of my time and efforts have I given to worthy/needy pursuits? What more can I give?

14.) What have I done to better the condition of the world’s oppressed and impoverished? Who can I lobby, contact or influence to foster Tikkun Olam through the political process?

Ultimate Question/Confrontation:
When have I given up too easily, given in too quickly, and not made the most of my full, God-given potential in any pursuit? When have I rationalized when I should have realized?