Mazel Tov to Lisa and Sam Weiss on the marriage of their daughter Talia to Rob Rein. May Talia and Rob’s marriage be blessed with joy, adventures, growth, and fulfillment.

CONGRATS to all chavuristas who were featured as 2017 Winners in Best of Bainbridge. Mazel Tov to all!

Locations and other details will be in the HH Mailing or call for more information – 206-567-9414

Erev Rosh Hashanah – Wednesday 9/20 7:00 p.m.

(A Dessert Potluck follows services.) Please bring food donations for Helpline.

Rosh Hashanah Day – Thursday 9/21 9:30 a.m.

–Break for lunch (please bring your own)

–Learning and Discussion with Rabbi Jen 12:30 p.m.

–Tashlich 3:00 p.m. Battle Point Park at the gazebo by the pond

Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre – Friday 9/29 7:00 p.m.

Yom Kippur Day Services and Neilah – Saturday 9/30 9:30 a.m.

–Meditation and Yizkor Service 2:30 p.m.

–Bibliodrama Practice 3:45 p.m.

–Bibliodrama (all are invited) 5:30 p.m.

–Neilah/Havdalah Service 6:00 p.m.

HIGH HOLY DAYS THEME & CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

A message from Rabbi Jennifer Clayman, our rabbi for this year’s High Holy Days

“Take Your Measure”

This year’s High Holy Days theme is the cultivation of middot. Middot can be translated as “character virtues” or “qualities,” or (maybe my favorite) “soul-traits.” Traits such as authenticity, calm, equanimity, passion, exuberance, humility, generosity, wholeness, honesty, respect, integrity, kindness, and love—and dozens more. The word middah (singular of middot) literally means a measurement. Middot are measures of our character. The High Holy Days are a good time to take the measure of our soul-traits, and choose one to work on in the coming months.

A couple of years ago, I read NYT columnist David Brooks’ The Road to Character. He begins the book (riffing on Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik) with a comparison of two different kinds of virtues—”resume” virtues and “eulogy” virtues. Resume virtues are our accomplishments—how successful we are, how much money we make, how many awards and accolades we’ve received. Eulogy virtues are the qualities we want to be remembered for. They are harder to quantify: kindness, compassion, the quality of our relationships with others. Our society, says Brooks, emphasizes the development of resume virtues. But, he argues (and I agree), the eulogy virtues are ultimately more important. So how do we develop these?

Middot as a Practice for Bringing Holiness and Healing to the World

An old Jewish tradition called Mussar focuses on the development of middot. The Mussar tradition is predicated on an ancient Jewish idea—that human beings are supposed to be, and do, good. That’s what we’re here for. To leave the world better than it was when we arrived. I know that many of us feel that things in the world around us are getting worse, not better. But through our own spiritual work, we can bring holiness and healing into the world. (You’ll probably hear me say this a lot.) If I am dismayed at the hatefulness I see around me, I can work to decrease the hatefulness in my own heart. If I see arrogance around me, I can work on my own humility. The Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield says, “In one way, our most radical political act is a change of heart.” This doesn’t mean we should only focus on ourselves, but the holidays are a good time to take the long view, and the optimistic view, that each changed heart will lead us all to a better place.

Come and Participate in Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Services

I’ll share some Mussar practices throughout the holidays—and perhaps, if you have your own Mussar or related practice, you can share your past work, insights, and inspiration from others. Shir Hayam High Holy Days planners and myself are looking for readings, poems, songs, stories, and other acts of participation that can address this theme in a moving way. If you have an offering to share at services, please contact Dee Axelrod (deeaxelrod@gmail.com) by September 12, and she will forward me your ideas.

Preparing for the High Holy Days

The Mussar tradition would have us focus on one middah at a time. Through journaling, meditation, conversation, prayer, and other practices, we can cultivate the middot of our choosing. In advance of Rosh Hashanah, if it would be helpful or healing for you, I recommend that you spend some time, in any of the aforementioned ways, in reflection about the relationships, issues, and sources of conflict that feel most urgent for you. Ask yourself what “medicine” you need for healing in those areas. When we come together for the holidays, you’ll have an opportunity to choose a middah whose cultivation can help you move forward.

I am looking forward to sharing in these holy days with your community.

Blessings, Jen

We will be gathering to dedicate the Chavurat Shir Hayam section of Seabold Cemetery. The cemetery is located on Highway 305 on the north end of Bainbridge Island.  The Seabold Cemetery sign is a small one on the east side of the Highway, just across the road from the “Welcome to Bainbridge Island” sign.  Turn into the cemetery at the sign and follow the driveway into the parking area. Walk up the hill to the area behind the small building. Please bring your blessings and any poems that you would like to read.

Snacks will be provided.

Our own Linda Golden is having an art show at Treehouse Cafe -4569 Lynwood Center Rd. NE Bainbridge Island.  Her paintings will be on display from September 1 through the end of October. Come out to the Meet & Greet with the artist scheduled for September 9th from 2-4 pm.

TIKKUN OLAM

CROP HUNGER WALK – Sunday, September 24, 2:00 pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church

CROP Hunger Walk Restaurant Day – Thursday, September 14  ALL DAY

Be sure to frequent one or more of our supporting restaurants:

• Treehouse Cafe
• Casa Rojas
• Streamliner Diner
• Sawatdy Thai Cuisine
• MarketPlace at Pleasant Beach
• New Rose Cafe
• Spice Route
• Harbour Pub
• Commuter Comforts
• Doc’s Marina Grill
• Emmy’s Vege House

Here’s how we are changing lives – through the CROP Hunger Walk! Locally – 20% of all we raise goes to the Helpline House Food Bank, 5% goes to the Fishline Food Bank in Poulsbo. Nationally & Internationally – the money is used in partnership with local organizations to support hunger fighting projects, and disaster relief; i.e. Hurricane Harvey. Church World Services has been very vocal on social media defending immigration and refugee programs.

Join the Shir Hayam CROP Hunger Walk Team today!  Click here to get to our CROP Hunger Walk page where you can join the Team or Donate. Contact Denise Brown for more information.