A time for reflection nears

Michelle Marr

Sunset on Friday will mark the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish

new year, and signal the beginning of the High Holy Days, a 10-day

period of reflection and renewal that concludes with Yom Kippur, the

Day of Atonement.

“The High Holy Days are about coming to the synagogue to find

improvement for our lives, but this year is a little different,” said

Rabbi Marc Steven Rubenstein of Temple Isaiah in Newport Beach. “This

year, there is a lot of anger toward God, and rabbis feel like they

have to give answers to what is going on.”

But, Rubenstein said, the tragedies of Sept. 11 and the ongoing

tragedies in Israel are not God’s fault.

“Instead of coming to God and saying, ‘Look, we need to improve

ourselves,’ we blame God for man’s actions. That’s not the way it

should be,” he said.

It is a Rosh Hashanah tradition to eat apples dipped in honey to

symbolize hope for a sweet new year. A blessing is said: “Blessed are

you, God, ruler of the universe, creator of the fruit of the tree.”

The blessing is followed by this prayer: “May it be your will, our

God and God of our ancestors, that the new year be good and sweet for

us.”

If this new year is sweet, it is bittersweet.

Rabbi Rayna Gevurtz at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach has found

herself reflecting on the tragedies of Sept. 11 and on the ongoing

tragedies in Israel. Historically, she said, there have been many

times when Jews have had to usher in a new year after an old year

when bad things have happened.

“By observing our rituals and praying to our God of goodness, by

continuing on the path of goodness, we show that the forces of evil

-- these people who commit such evil acts -- have not succeeded,” she

said. “The holidays are a time to look to the past -- they are like

stop signs and signposts that help us to learn from the past and to

move forward in a good direction.”

The Orange County Israel Solidarity Task Force and the Jewish

Community Relations Council have worked to create a tangible bond

with Jews in Israel during the holidays this year. With a project

called “Honey for the Holidays,” they hope to send this message: We

are with you in sweetness and sorrow.

Lisa Grajewski, chairwoman for the project, explained: “We want to

say we aren’t going to forget you. Americans can have a very

short-term memory, but it’s so important we don’t forget.”

The project will put holiday honey on thousands of tables in the

economically depressed twin-city community of Kiryat Malachi and Hof

Ashkelon, where a large number of unemployed immigrants from Ethiopia

and the former Soviet Union live. Purchase of the honey, produced at

Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in Hof Ashkelon, will provide a much-needed

economic boost to the region.

Donations to the project of $18, or any multiple of $18, will be

accepted until Sept. 10. Honey for families in Israel may be ordered

by mail or telephone through the Jewish Federation of Orange County.

It may be purchased in person at the federation and seven other

locations in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

Supporters who make a donation in person can keep a jar of the

honey for their own holiday table. The senior center in Kiryat

Malachi will distribute the honey purchased for families in Israel.

“I’d like to bring peace there, but I can’t do it,” said Beverly

Jacobs, chairwoman of the Jewish Community Relations Council. “This

project ties Jews here in Orange County with people in Israel on a

real human level, and the response has been heartening. Many

synagogues and organizations are promoting the project.”

On Monday, preschool children at the Jewish Community Center Early

Childhood Center got an early taste of Rosh Hashanah, apples and

Kibbutz Yad Mordechai honey.

“They cut apples and dipped them in the honey. They blew the

shofar to bring in the sounds for the new year and sang ‘apples

dipped in honey for Rosh Hashanah, for a happy new year, a sweet new

year,’ “said Roberta Deutschman, director of early childhood services

at the school.

Preparation for Rosh Hashanah will begin with the observance of

S’lichot on Aug. 31. Flory Van Beek of Temple Isaiah described the

day as “a reflection on human life and divine mercy, with petitions

for relief of sorrows.”

Temple Isaiah will host an open house at 8 p.m., when Rubenstein

will discuss the meaning and significance of the High Holy Days.

Temple Bat Yahm will begin its S’lichot observance with a reception

at 8 p.m., followed by a lecture at 8:45 p.m. and a service at 9:30

p.m.

“The Jewish people have always lived on hope,” Rubenstein said.

“They have gotten through other bad times, and I think they will get

through these as well.”

To make a donation to Honey for the Holidays, or for more

information, call (714) 755-5555 or visit www.jewishorangecounty.org.

For tickets or information for High Holy Day services at Temple

Bat Yahm, call (949) 644-1999.

For tickets or information for High Holy Day services at Temple

Isaiah, call (949) 548-6900.