There’s more to Rosh Hashanah than just showing up. All the things that seem so important–like tickets, parking places, and who’s coming to dinner–pale in comparison to the real meaning of the high holidays. Rabbi Alan Lew, a Conservative Rabbi and deeply spiritual human being, explains that this time in our Jewish calendar is intended for self discovery and spiritual evolution. That might not be what we have in mind when we pay our synagogue dues, but it ought to be. That is why Rabbi Lew calls one of his books, This is Real, and You are Completely Unprepared.

Among the ways to spiritually prepare for Rosh Hashanah is to attend the Selichot Service on Saturday night, September 24. Selichot, from the Hebrew word for "forgiveness," are a series of prayers in which we appeal to God’s attribute of mercy to achieve atonement for our misdeeds. Although this sounds like what we do on Yom Kippur, and it is, we are supposed to begin saying Selichot prior to the arrival of the high holidays.

An important source of this service comes from a rabbinic text called Tanna d’vei Eliyahu Zuta (9th century) in which God explains that after the Temple is destroyed, the way for the people of Israel to achieve atonement is to gather together as a single unit, make confession and recite the Selichot prayers. These are no easy tasks. It is challenging to us as human beings to admit our failure, but the result of doing so makes us better people. It is not easy bringing the Jewish people together as one unit, but we have been fortunate to move in that direction on Selichot night. For the third consecutive year, we will join together with other Conservative synagogues for Selichot. This year we are honored to host the service.

The Conservative Movement of Metropolitan Detroit has been joining together for Selichot and Tisha B’av, both for the impact of a larger crowd, as well as the opportunity for all to drive to another synagogue because these services are neither on Shabbat nor Yom Tov. It is also reflective of our movement’s pride and strength to join together with all the rabbis, cantors and congregants in one setting. I know you will want to be with us for Selichot, as a proud member of the synagogue and the Conservative Jewish community, and also for your own spiritual needs. In addition, Selichot will be extra special this year.