Rosh Hashanah, on the secular calendar, is September 7th and 8th. Then, soon after, is September 11, a day that, like Pearl Harbor Day, will live in infamy. Over the months that have passed since that terrible day all of us have thought about what is really important in our lives, what our priorities really ought to be. In that same spirit I have chosen to use this year's High Holyday sermons to re-examine some of the root concepts of Judaism. This year we will all go "Back to Basics."
It would be my pleasure to provide a copy of the sermons for anyone who wants them. If you'd like one, please contact the Temple office.

Rosh Hashanah Eve -
Shabbat: A few Moments of Peace
Tonight, as Rosh Hashanah falls on a Friday night, we will look at our most basic ritual observance: the Shabbat. What is the Sabbath? Where did the idea come from? Is it a day of prohibitions, things we can't do, or rather a day of rejoicing in our humanity, a day of love and celebration? Do we seek "Sabbath peace" every second for a full day, or should we instead pursue "Sabbath moments" that might be found at various points in a twenty-four hour period? Let us learn how to give this gift we've given the rest of the world to ourselves as well.

Rosh Hashanah Morning -
Haven't Got a Prayer?
What are doing when we pray? Why do we do it? There is so much that, largely because of the passage of time, we don't understand about our worship services. We will look at Judaism's teachings about the purpose and meaning of prayer, with an eye towards making our service participation more moving and rewarding.

Second Morning of Rosh Hashanah -
Torah: Through a Glass, Jewishly
To be a Jew is to view the world a certain way, with a unique perspective and set of values. To be a Jew is to view the world through the prism of Torah, the symbol and source of Jewish learning and wisdom. What is Torah? How can we continue to base our ethics for the modern world on such an ancient document that originated so far away in space and time? Exploring these issues will help us understand more about what it means to be a Jew.

Shabbat Shuvah -
Caring for Old Age
*PLEASE NOTE: All of the plaques affixed to our Sanctuary wall over the past year in memory of loved ones who died will be dedicated at this service on the Friday night between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur Eve -
Anti-Semitism: Why the Jews
For over two thousand years the Jewish people has endured terrible persecution. Why? Why us? Why the Jews? Why have we been hated, reviled, even demonized? As we explore the roots of anti-Semitism we will try and understand the reasons for the prejudice and terror our people has endured. We will also try and develop a theology of hope to help us transcend the evil that has befallen us.

Yom Kippur Morning -
Israel: The Big Picture
In the current conflict that is tearing Israel apart, there are those, including myself, who have focused too much on Israel's mistakes and shortcomings. Last September 11 we learned that it is far more important to see the big picture. It was the terrorists who showed us that even with all its human imperfections, Israel is on the side of the right, fighting an evil and tyrannical empire of fanatics who worship death, not life. We are all called upon to enlist in the army of those who do whatever we can to fight back and defeat those who would destroy us.

Yizkor -
What Happens After Life?
Is there life after life or life after death? What does Judaism teach about the afterlife? About Heaven and Hell? As we remember our loved ones who have died we will explore what Jewish tradition has to say about what might happen to all of us after we leave this life.