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Religion column: Around here, Days of Awe come often

Rabbi Evon Yakar
Special to the Tribune

Temple Bat Yam services

All services are at Temple Bat Yam 3260 Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe

Sept. 13: Yom Kippur begins at sundown, Kol Nidre Services 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: Yom Kippur observance continues at 10 a.m., Torah study at 12:30 p.m., family and children’s service at 2 p.m., afternoon service at 3 p.m., Yizkor - the memorial service at 4:45 p.m., Neilah - concluding service at 5:45 p.m., Havdalah and break the fast potluck meal at 7:15 p.m.

We also look forward to welcoming anyone into our Sukkah - the temporary structure built on the holiday of Sukkot - for a meal and services Sept. 18, 20 and 22. On the 22nd is also our annual Riding Chai Mountain Bike fundraiser. Check our website for details over the coming weeks.

On the Jewish calendar, this time of year is called the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. Over the past couple days, beginning the evening of Sept. 4, Jews around the world marked the beginning of a new year on the Jewish calendar, the year 5774, with the holiday of Rosh Hashana — literally, the head of the year. It began a period of intense reflection and soul-searching, the 10 days that occupy the space from the first of the year to the most solemn day — Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. While Rosh Hashana is a joyous day to mark another year, it also calls us to question the past year, to set intentions for the coming year and inspires us to reach out to those we may have hurt or wronged in some way. There are many explanations for why this intense period of reflection is called the Days of Awe. And, living here in Lake Tahoe, we certainly have many days filled with awe, just enjoying the splendor and beauty of the natural world is always one step out our front door.

Yet, I think there is one particular component to this season in the Jewish tradition that warrants this name. For me, it is the communal nature of both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It is the reality that our Jewish tradition calls on us, charges us to do this work of atonement, of repentance, in the context of community. I am in awe of the public, and often therefore more difficult, setting in which we engage in what might be considered a private act — reflection, introspection and repentance. On Yom Kippur, many Jews around the world spend many hours fasting, in synagogue praying and with traditional study. And yet, this is all done in the context of community. I look forward each year to seeing my entire Temple Bat Yam family gather and to welcoming visitors to our beautiful area to mark this sacred occasion. As we enter this period, I am in awe of what the synagogue I am honored to serve, Temple Bat Yam, has accomplished in thirty years here on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, sharing Judaism with our community and with those spending time in South Lake Tahoe.

We invite you to share in our holiday observance. Our services are open to all. A full schedule of service times, events and programs is always available on our website: http://www.tbytahoe.org.


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