The New Shul

Ordinarily, on the last Shabbat of every month, we say birkat ha-hodesh, the blessing that announces the coming of the next month. This Shabbat, the last Shabbat in Elul, is the one exception during the year. There is no blessing to announce Rosh Hodesh Tishrei, which is also Rosh Hashanah.

The Shem Mi-Shmuel explains that the purpose of birkat ha-hodesh is to extend the holiness of Shabbat into the beginning of the next month. But Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world, which had no Shabbat before it. Rosh Hashanah represents our ability to make a fresh start, unencumbered by the past, as God created the world from nothing.

In many ways, we are conditioned by the past. We are products of our upbringing, and of decisions that we made long ago. But Rosh Hashanah teaches us that we are also more than that. We have radical freedom, the ability to make choices that have no antecedent, that come, in a sense from nowhere, in that that they are just that: choices.

That realization brings with it a deep sense of responsiblity. It also brings great joy. May this season be, for all of us, a time of new beginnings.

Shabbat services at The New Shul are from 6 to 7 pm on Friday evenings, and from 9 am to about 12 noon on Saturday mornings. Babysitting is available from 10:15 to 11:45 am. "Beyond Bim Bom," for grades K-3, is from 11 to 11:30 am. The kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Sara Tasa-Bennett and Ken Fisher, in honor of their upcoming wedding.

Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, and on Wednesday mornings at 7 am.

This Saturday night, September 4, is S'lihot. Join us at 9:15 pm for a screening and discussion of Meduzot ("Jellyfish"), a film by Shira Gefen and Etgar Keret. The S'lihot service follows at 11:30 pm.

On Monday Sept. 6 (Labor Day), The New Shul community will serve meals to the hungry at St Vincent de Paul's Jackson St. dining room.

Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday evening, Sept. 10. Please see our website, thenewshul.org, for the schedule of services for the Days of Awe.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 pm, The New Shul will host the Council for Jews With Special Needs Keshet Program. Please let us know if you are available to help.

Please note that there will be no email bulletin next week because of Rosh Hashanah.