In the days and weeks before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur the prayer services reflect our spiritual preparations. Foremost amongst these liturgical additions are the prayer services of Selichot. We will be hosting a pre-Selichot discussion at 11:45 p.m. featuring Rabbi Poupko to be followed by a Selichot services led by Chazan Shur on Saturday (Sunday early morning), September 3 at 12:30 a.m.

The Jewish New Year is meant as a day for new beginnings. It is a day when every aspect of our lives should be examined under the microscope of honesty. We take charge of our lives and we stop being controlled by the inertia of the calendar. Every assumption is questioned and every priority weighed. It is a day when we are judged by G-d and it should also be a day when we judge ourselves. The purpose of this day is repentance and spiritual acceptance of G-d as the ultimate power, and the Torah as the source of His word.

The focal point of Rosh Hashana ritual is the Shofar. One of the many reasons given for this mitzvah, is the idea that sounding the Shofar awakens us from spiritual slumber. The Shofar is sounded 100 times during services with three different types of sounds, each reminiscent of a different kind of human crying. The cathartic impact of honest self-evaluation is thereby embodied in the sounding of the Shofar. As a service to those who unable attend synagogue on Rosh Hashana, anyone who would like to hear Shofar in their home should contact the Shul with their request. If you know of anyone who may benefit from this service, please let us know.

This ritual which takes place on Rosh Hashana, consisting of symbolically casting our sins into a body of water, is a plea to
G-d to forgive us and to "cast into the depths of the sea all their sins." An additional focus of Tashlich is the Binding of Isaac. On their way to Mt. Moriah, Abraham and Isaac were confronted by a flood which they chose to ignore in their desire to fulfil G-d's commandment. By praying at the water's edge, we recall the merit of the Patriarchs and imply our wish to emulate their righteousness. The Synagogue meets for Tashlich on Friday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Centennial) Park.

The Sabbath between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Sabbath of Repentance. This title is drawn from the Haftora of the day. A special Shabbat Shuva D'rasha will be delivered Saturday, September 10 at 6:15 p.m. Men and women are invited.