At one ment

Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the day of atonement in the Jewish tradition. A day of fasting, prayer, and reconciliation, it ends the 10 Days of Awe following Roshashana. Yom Kippur invites a searching of the soul, of consciously trying to repair injuries, right wrongs, and bring things into balance. It often involves committing to charitable efforts.

I have been thinking about these 10 Days of Awe, and about the value of a time of meditation on the topics of reparation and reconciliation.

I found an interesting site: the Coalition of Women for Peace offers information about many women's groups, including The Fifth Mother, wh0 use peace strategies to aim for reconcilation between Israel and Palestine. The Coalition of Women for Peace helps women from disparate backgrounds explore the complex nature of the Middle East conflict, find ways to think through divisive issues, and promote peace within their own groups and communities.

Artists often explore peace and conflict in profound and moving ways. Musician David Harris, of St. Paul, MN produced a musical event called Peace in the House at the beautiful Southern Theater in Minneapolis in February 2006. (Alas, I remember missing this because of a blustery snowstorm, while visiting my parents in the Twin Cities.) Harris is the artistic director of Voices of Sepharad, a group that specializes in the music of Sephardic Jews. That's his photo above.

On the left you'll find a picture of the Portland Maine human peace sign. And here is the California state capitol seen through a peace symbol made of flowers, during a demonstration against the war in Iraq in March 2008.

Roshashana

I envy my Jewish friends on this High Holy night, and want to wish them Shana Tovah — Happy New Year. I'll use this moment in the Jewish calendar, September 30-October 1, 5768 (2008-2009), to think about newness, tradition, and reflection.

My source of information about Roshashana tonight is the Shiksapedia. (Thank you, Marilyn!) Here's my little synopsis: Roshashana and Yom Kippur are called the High Holy Days, or High Holidays, lasting ten days in all. These are days of Awe, when reverence mixes with fear and wonder.

At synagogue services over the two days of Roshashana, the shofar, or ram’s horn, is blown many times over. It's a call to awaken the soul.

The High Holy Days are a time of reflection, repentance, and forgiveness. On Roshashana God opens the Book of Life and the Book of Death, and on Yom Kippur he seals your name in the Book, determining whether you will have a good or a bad year.

Food traditions include dipping apples and challah in honey, in a wish for sweetness. Tzimmes is served, a casserole containing carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, cinnamon, and honey. Marilyn writes: "Because this dish takes a while to prepare and cook, there’s a cute Yiddish expression: 'Don’t make a tzimmes,' which means 'Don’t make a big deal out of it.'" (Click on tzimmes here to go to a chicken and winter squash version from a favorite food magazine, Eating Well.)

Now is a good time to 'make a big deal' (you hear that, Congress?). It's a moment to reflect on the best way to move forward, while acknowledging the end of life and the ways we are each written into a larger story.

What is your ram's horn? Get out there and awaken your soul! And may you have a good signing in the Book of Life.