Rabbi Ahron Blasberg, of Chabad of Aruba, knows that to engage members of the tribe one often needs to lower the barriers of entry, sometimes beyond the institutional walls of the synagogue. To accommodate those who would otherwise not participate in formal Rosh Hashanah synagogue services, the rabbi is promoting a brief, open to all, thirty-minute Rosh Hashanah ceremony that includes the primary observances of the holiday.
Behold, the “Community Tashlich & Shofar Service” will take place on Monday September 30th 5:00pm at the beach between Marriott and Ritz Carlton (in front of Vela Sports Center).
Tashlich is a practice rich in symbolic and mystical meaning, which is customarily performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. A brief prayer is recited near a body of water, preferably containing live fish; in which we express our prayerful hope that G-d cast our indiscretions into the depths of the sea, and that we be granted a good and sweet new year filled with G-d’s abundant and manifest blessings.
The sounding of the shofar is the central mitzvah of Rosh Hashana. Typically, it is part of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services. However, if for any reason one did not attend services, the shofar sounding can be fulfilled throughout the day of Rosh Hashana. The mitzvah of shofar also contains many deep and inspiring messages for us to reflect upon.
“According to Jewish tradition the gates of heaven are open on the New Year, and G-d accepts prayers from everyone,” said Rabbi Ahron Blasberg, “That served as our inspiration to create Rosh Hashanah opportunities for everyone in the community.”
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews” Rabbi Ahron Blasberg explained. “During the High Holiday period, accessibility can mean different things to different people. For some it means shorter, more user-friendly services, for others it means a non-judgmental atmosphere, while for still others accessibility means affordability, and no expectation of membership or affiliation. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashana”.
Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sundown on Sunday, September 29, and extends until nightfall on Tuesday, October 1.
For more information about this ceremony and all the traditional, accessible services over the High Holidays please contact Chabad Jewish Center of Aruba at 5927613 email Rabbi@Jewisharuab.com or visit www.Jewisharuba.com/highholidays
