The month of Elul is upon us, and so we begin our preparations for the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. The High Holidays invite us to take a step back in our lives and find time to feel awe, to reflect, to forgive, and to find connection anew. By pausing our normal routines, we have a chance to come together and make the changes necessary to elevate and transform our relationships and our sense of purpose in the coming year.
This year we invite you to join us in this spirit of community connection. One of the enduring messages of the High Holiday liturgy is that of RETURNING. This is precisely what teshuvah means – returning to our best and most authentic selves, returning to community, and returning to God. Our theme at HEA this year is “YOU BELONG HERE” because we aim to celebrate that this is your spiritual home, your people, your clergy, your music, your Jewish learning laboratory. We all play a pivotal role in helping one another feel we belong at a time when the world has become increasingly hostile to the Jewish people. We belong here and we stand together in strength, song, and solidarity.
To prepare for the Days of Awe we are offering a variety of enriching Elul programs, concerts, learning sessions, and services, which you can learn more about here. And we are excited to welcome you back to HEA for an uplifting High Holiday Experience with a stellar clergy and musical team leading the multiple services we offer. Finally, I invite you to reach out and bring a friend with you to services this year – additional tickets are available online if you need them – because we all deserve to feel we belong together.
I look forward to bringing in the New Year with you!
Shana Tova – wishing you a sweet and meaningful 5787!
