Becoming’s Jewitch Rosh Hashanah
Thursday, September 16, 2004
7:30 pm
Hyattsville, MD - Private Home
RSVP & Directions: carly @ becomingdc.org (no spaces)
More about Becoming: www.becomingdc.org
I am holding a Rosh Hashanah circle for Jews and Pagans alike. This circle was written to allow Jewitches of all flavors, to celebrate one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar in a manner that would have spiritual meaning for them.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the New Year ofthe soul. It is a celebration of beginnings, but it is also a time to look at the year that has passed and prepare for the year that is to come. Rosh Hashanah is the holiday that prepares Jews for Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and begins the “Days of Awe” leading up to YomKippur.
This ritual also can help to prepare Pagans for Samhain. Before the ritual there will be a brief discussion about Rosh Hashanah for those unfamiliar. After the ritual, sweets and desserts will be served - please feel free to bring something. For more information and directions, contact Carly at carly @ becomingdc.org (no spaces)
I think it’s a great idea to combine two belief systems. I do have a question about one of your statement of belief, particularly about the Sabbath.
There’s a lot of talk about when the sabbath should be, Saturday, Sunday and whatnot. Is it possible that it could be any day as long as it’s used for rest and reflection of our creator?
I don’t think I’m combining two belief systems. I look at it as finding a new paradigm for a single belief system. It may be a matter of semantics, but that’s really what religion is sometimes. The way we define ourselves, the words we choose to use — the details are sometimes all we have.
The Pagan community is my home, and I try to give back as much as I get. My Rosh Hashanah is my celebration of the holiday, but I know that many will attend, and did, who are not Jewish — so I try to give them something to connect to as well.
Interesting question about Sabbath. We are told that the Sabbath is the seventh day, but it does not say that the seventh day is Friday - our modern calendar does (Jewish days start at sundown, not midnight). Part of the power of using the same night as other Jews, is the connection to your tribe. You know that all over the world your extended tribe is stepping through many of the same ritual actions as you.
I think the answer is up to you. I think in our modern world Friday night as Sabbath makes a great deal of sense. We work, generally, Monday to Friday. So stopping on Friday night to breath, rest, and reconnect, resonates strongly for me. In a previously life, I worked weekends. So claiming Friday as Sabbath would not have had the same resonance for me. I can see, in that case, doing the same ritual on Sunday night. Save Template Changes.