
SHELTON — Rabbi Shneur Brook, of the Chabad Jewish Community in Shelton, knows that to engage members of the tribe one often needs to lower the barriers of entry, sometimes beyond the institutional walls of the synagogue.
To accommodate those who would otherwise not participate in formal Rosh Hashanah synagogue services, the rabbi is promoting a brief, open to all, fifteen-minute Rosh Hashanah ceremony that includes the primary observances of the holiday.
Behold, the “Shofar in the park & Tashlich service” will take place on September 26, from 5:00 – 5:15 PM on the Huntington Green in Shelton.
The sounding of the shofar is the central mitzvah of Rosh Hashana. Typically, it is part of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services. However, if for any reason one did not attend services, the shofar sounding can be fulfilled throughout the day of Rosh Hashana. The mitzvah of shofar also contains many deep and inspiring messages for us to reflect upon.
“According to Jewish tradition the gates of heaven are open on the New Year, and G‑d accepts prayers from everyone,” said Rabbi [Shliach’s Name], “That served as our inspiration to create Rosh Hashanah opportunities for everyone in the community.”
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews, [Shliach Name] explained. During the High Holiday period, accessibility can mean different things to different people. For some it means shorter, more user-friendly services, for others, it means a nonjudgmental atmosphere, while for still others accessibility means affordability and no expectation of membership or affiliation. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashana”.
Additionally, traditional Rosh Hashana services will be hosted at the “Chabad of Shelton” — for more info & to RSVP please visit www.JewishShelton.com/hh.
Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sundown on Sunday, September 25, and extends until nightfall on Tuesday, September 27.
For more information about this event, visit www.JewishShelton.com/shofar or contact Chabad at 203 – 364-4149, or E‑mail Office@JewishShelton.com.