Rosh Hashanah 2017/5778
Un-Remembering
Sometimes he knows who I am; sometimes he doesn’t. I’m not sure which is better. My father’s dementia at times coddles him in blissful bewilderment, but at others cruelly allows in just enough awareness to remind him of how much he is no longer aware. He’ll sometimes cry at the sound of my voice, one he recognizes he no longer recognizes, or at the sight of my face, one he knows he no longer knows.
My father inhabits my thoughts this Rosh Hashanah in part because it is a time for teshuvah, for inner reckonings, and our relationship has been fraught for the better part of my life, only a few years ago giving way to a detente in recognition of his failing health and my own need for healing. It is a return to amicability that requires continued attention. Yet, ironically, there are times when our truce requires precisely the opposite, a forgetting of sorts.
To read more of Rabbi Lewittes'
Rosh Hashanah teaching
please click here.
A Sanctuary of Mirrors -
Rosh Hashanah 2016/5777
Rosh Hashanah, the birthday of the world, arrives this year as we continue to feel
besieged by urgent issues: Daily acts of terrorism – in Israel, abroad, here at home.
The ugly resurgence of Anti-Semitism. 65 million refugees wandering for a safe place
to live. The growth of xenophobic, right-wing ideology here and throughout the
world. A stalled peace process with the Palestinians and almost 2/3 of Israelis
believing peace will never come. A violent, unstable culture of race relations in this
country. A toxic and vitriolic election cycle here that has become a source of shame in
our families and communities, and around the world. The loss of some of our most
precious moral compasses like Elie Wiesel and Shimon Peres, z”l.
To read more of Rabbi Lewittes' Rosh Hashanah teaching please click here.
Rabbi Dini Lewittes and Lisa Kasdan on vocals and Dan Nadel on guitar have created the Sha'ar Shirah (Gate of Song) album recorded and mixed by David Abrams. The album is filled with music for the High Holy Days and some of our regular favorites such as Oseh Shalom, Lu Yehi and B'sheym Hashem. Click here to listen to the tracks or download songs.
