On Rosh HaShanah...
בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יִכָּתֵבוּן
The Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah, begins at nightfall on Friday 15 September 2023. It marks the new year of 5784, the new month of Tishri, and the cycle begins again of our introspection, reflection and determination to live a full and meaningful life.
We imagine all our deeds from the past year being written down. The image of weighing scales looms large; did my good deeds outweigh the bad ones? Will I be written into the Book of Life, to live another year?
...Ten Days...
The ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are our chance to make amends. We must go deep into ourselves and acknowledge where we went wrong, who we hurt, what we missed, what we misjudged.
We reflect and determine to do and be better this year.
and on Yom Kippur...
וּבְיוֹם צוֹם כִּפּוּר יֵחָתֵמוּן
The 25 hour fast of Yom Kippur, the Shabbat of all Shabbats, the holiest of days, is not about the abstaining of food, but more about the intensity of prayer throughout the day, with no distractions, not even food. It marks our final attempts to acknowledge our faults, and to seek forgiveness.
When the shofar blasts at the end of Yom Kippur, our fate for the year ahead is sealed.
We have gone on a truly immense journey, and return to day to day life with a clean slate, feeling refreshed and reinvigorated for life,
This year with Anna Dyson and SoulBalance:
We don't want to compete with current offerings in Leeds, and equally we know that what is currently on offer isn't necessarily what we are seeking.
Please be in touch with feedback and ideas for what we can offer next time if these don't suit youo:
Within the Ten Days:
Tuesday 19 Sept, 6-9pm: A women-only session and water immersion at Harrogate Turkish Baths
Yom Kippur afternoon:
Monday 25 Sept, 2.30-4pm: A walk, meditation, reflection and Yom Kippur themed discussion in Roundhay Park.