Picture the scene. It is close to midnight and every seat in the ornate central shul is completely full- men and women alike. Some people have been in their seats for close to an hour, still others arriving at the last minute and looking to find even an inch of standing room. There is an electric mood of excitement and nervousness as the communal Rabbi ascends to the pulpit to deliver pointed words exhorting the community to repent. The chazzan, in his majestic robes and flowing beard ascends to the bimah and nods to the choir, which begins to sing an introductory melody to the Ashrei prayer. That is immediately followed by kaddish, recited for the first time in the traditional High Holidays tune. It is Selichos night in the great shuls of Eastern Europe- opening night of the Ashkenazic High Holiday season (our Sephardic brethren have been at it since Rosh Chodesh Elul). While our Selichot experience is more participatory, there is still an excitement, a sense that we are sharing the beginning of a journey that we will, with God’s help, complete together. I hope you will join me on Motzei Shabbat at 11:15 PM for words of inspiration and soulful Tefillah.
Hakarat HaTov Corner.
I am grateful to all those who have signed up to host our new youth directors, Sara and Natan Verschleisser-Pittinsky, and especially those who have offered furniture and other forms of support and assistance. Sara and Natan are working hard to get to know your children and put some amazing programs into place- stay tuned!
Rabbi’s Recommendations
Rabbi Herschel Reichman is a Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS who is known to develop especially deep relationships with his students. He is also something of a composer. Attached is a tune he composed called “The Victory Niggun,” sung here by his students. This triumphant tune is the perfect way to end off the intense journey of the Yamim Noraim mussaf, and I hope to use it this year for the piyut “Hayom Te’amtezinu,” the prayer where we beseech God to give us strength, seek the goodness within us and offer us His support. I hope you will listen, learn and sing along!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
