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2007 Rosh Hashanah Message:

Do Humanistic Jews Need to Repent?

The ten day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur has traditionally been designated as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim).  This is a time to take stock of one’s deeds over the course of the prior year, and to offer repentance for one’s sins.  Humanistic Judaism is a person centered approach to Judaism.  As such, do Humanistic Jews need to repent for their misdeeds?  To what power do Humanistic Jews hold themselves accountable?  Is there a concept of sin for Humanistic Jews?  These and other questions will be explored by Ceremonial Leader, Jack Silver with the congregation during the Rosh Hashanah service at the Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism.

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The Jewish year begins in the fall with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah on the first day of Tishri. The Torah refers to Rosh Hashanah as Yom Terua, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, or Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance. In rabbinic (Orthodox) Judaism, the holiday is seen as an annual day of divine judgment.

Humanistic Jews recognize the fall festival of Rosh Hashanah as a time of renewal, reflection, and new beginnings. But Humanistic Jews interpret Rosh Hashanah as a time for self-judgment and as an affirmation of human power and human dignity. It is a time to consider the possibilities for change, improvement, and happiness, that human beings can create for themselves. As the first day of the Jewish year, Rosh Hashanah marks a turning point, a separation between what was and what will be.

Rosh Hashanah offers Humanistic Jews an opportunity for concentrated reflection on their actions of the past year, a time to change course and resolve to act more consistently upon humanistic moral and ethical principles.

 

DATE	EVENT	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, September 12, 2007	Rosh Hashanah Service *	7:30 p.m.	Mesa Convention Center Building A/Superstition Ballroom
Sunday, September 16, 2007	Children's Service *	10:00 a.m. to noon	Barness Family East Valley      Jewish Community Center