Gay Jews to reflect for High Holy Days
By ERIC ERVIN
At least two places of worship in Atlanta will welcome gay Jews to celebrate High Holy Days, the 10-day period consisting of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays, which is observed with reflection, repentance and self examination beginning Sept. 22.
“This is a time of year for Jews when we are urged to examine where we are in life and ask challenging and meaningful questions, such as are we living the values we should and repair and seek forgiveness,” said Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Congregation Bet Haverim, a Reconstructionist synagogue founded by gay men and lesbians in 1985.
Lesser, who is gay, said High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashanah, which marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. During this two-day period, Jews seek to repair their lives by asking forgiveness for their sins.
Congregation Bet Haverim will have services on three days for Rosh Hashanah, beginning Sept. 22. On the first day, members of the congregation will dip apples in honey, symbolizing hope for a sweet New Year.
Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement,” begins Oct. 1 following the interim Ten Days of Repentance. Lesser said during this time, Jews also seek forgiveness from God for their sins. According to Jewish teachings,
individuals must ask forgiveness three times before being washed away of their sins.
Yom Kippur is a time when Jews seek to liberate themselves from spiritual and emotional baggage. It involves serious reflection and prayer, and is observed with a 25-hour fast, in which Jews abstain from sex, drink, watching television and listening to the news.
“We remove ourselves from the material world as much as possible,” Lesser said.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will also be held Sept. 22 and Oct. 1 respectively at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta. Traditional Jewish customs will be followed at the non-denominational, gay-inclusive congregation. Members celebrate many religious faiths under one roof.
“We are a welcoming congregation,” said Carole Galanty, who is Jewish and co-chair of High Holy Days events at Unitarian Universalist. “We invite people of all faiths. It’s Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and Pagan.”
© 2006 The Southern Voice | A Window Media Publication