PALM BEACH – Rabbi Ahron Blasberg, of Chabad of Aruba, knows that to engage members of the tribe one often needs to lower the barriers of entry, sometimes beyond the institutional walls of the synagogue.
To accommodate those who would otherwise not participate in formal Rosh Hashanah synagogue services, the rabbi is promoting a brief, open to all, thirty-minute Rosh Hashanah ceremony that includes the primary observances of the holiday.
Chabad of Aruba will be celebrating their annual Community Tashlich & Shofar Service at the Beach, which will take place on Sunday September 13th 5:30pm at the beach front between Marriott Hotel and Ritz Carlton (in front of Vela Sports Center).
Tashlich is a practice rich in symbolic and mystical meaning, which is customarily performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. A brief prayer is recited near a body of water, preferably containing live fish; in which we express our prayerful hope that G‑d cast our indiscretions into the depths of the sea, and that we be granted a good and sweet new year filled with G‑d’s abundant and manifest blessings.
The sounding of the shofar is the central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. Typically, it is part of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services. However, if for any reason one did not attend services, the shofar sounding can be fulfilled this year throughout only the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, Sunday September 13th.
The mitzvah of shofar also contains many deep and inspiring messages for us to reflect upon.
“According to Jewish tradition the gates of heaven are open on the New Year, and G‑d accepts prayers from everyone,” said Rabbi Ahron Blasberg, “That served as our inspiration to create Rosh Hashanah opportunities for everyone in the community.”
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews” Rabbi Ahron Blasberg explained. “During the High Holiday period, accessibility can mean different things to different people. For some it means shorter, more user-friendly services, for others it means a non-judgmental atmosphere, while for still others accessibility means affordability, and no expectation of membership or affiliation. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashanah”.
Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sundown on Friday, September 11th, and extends until nightfall on Sunday September 13th.
For more information about this ceremony and all the traditional, accessible services over the High Holidays please contact Chabad Jewish Center of Aruba at 5927613, email Rabbi@Jewisharuba.com or visit www.Jewisharuba.com/highholidays
Event Recap
Who: Open to one open to all!
What: Tashlich and Shofar service on the Beach
Where: Beachfront between Marriott & Ritz Carlton (Front of Vela Sport Center).
When: Sunday September 13th 5:30pm
Chabad also offers free Rosh Hashanah services
What: Free Rosh Hashanah Services
Where: Chabad Jewish Center of Aruba
When: September 11-13
Free RSVP: 592-7613 Rabbi@Jewisharuba.com
Full Schedule: www.Jewisharuba.com/highholidays
About Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is observed this year beginning at sundown on September 11th, and extends until nightfall on Sunday, September 13th. Literally meaning “head of the year,” the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday.
About the Sponsoring Organization
Chabad Jewish Center of Aruba offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Chabad Jewish Center of Aruba at 5927613 Rabbi@Jewisharuba.com or visit www.Jewisharuba.com
