Although this year’s was a traditional High Holyday morning service, it was actually held in the afternoon.
I personally found the service, which was conducted by Rabbi Anna and lay readers both enjoyable and thought provoking. Several members of the community contributed with readings, or blessings, in Hebrew or English, which helped make it feel a very inclusive service. The attendance was 34 people, not all of whom were of pensionable age, which is not bad for a weekday morning.
The Torah portion chosen was the Akedah or Binding of Isaac. One of the highlights for me was Anna leyning or chanting the Torah portion. Anna also made an interesting observation of how after Abraham and Isaac return from Mount Moriah, Isaac seems to be estranged from Abraham and that he doesn’t get a mention in Genesis until quite a long time after these events. I must admit that if my father had taken me to our local mountain and almost sacrificed me before being told not to by an angel I wouldn’t be too pleased with him either.
At the end of the Torah service Rabbi Anna delivered her sermon which as always was challenging (in a good way). At Rosh Hashanah, particularly at the current time, we can look at the state of the world and despair, or we can think what is it we can do in a very small way to make things better. We could focus all our energy on trying to save the world, but it’s also OK to have fun as well.
Another highlight as always, was blowing of the shofar done admirably by Simon. His Tekiah Gedola shofar blast is a marvel to behold. There were some beautiful readings before each shofar blowing on the themes of sovereignty, memory and awakening selected from various writers and poets.
After the service we had a Kiddush with genuine Rosh Hashanah style Challah, together with various cakes and pastries and a chance to socialise and mingle. – Jack