Yamim Noraim Reflections by Anna Berman https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim Words to bring comfort and provoke reflection during the 10 Days of Teshuvah- by various authors en-us 2020-08-18 12:14:37 UTC 2026-01-23 21:37:27 UTC hello@padlet.com http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/201400502280-0-1/s-l1000.jpg Reflection asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684592507 Age brings perspective, and during the days between Rosh Hashsanah and Yom Kippur, we engage in introspection and heshbon hanefesh, taking an accounting of our souls in preparation for being written in the Book of Life for good. While we can and certainly should commit to changing negative habits and improving our actions in the coming year, we can also use this time to cast off things that weigh us down, furniture, mementoes, things that might be useful “someday,” or fall under the category of, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Hopefully, these items have served their purpose; they’ve been used and loved, but now are taking up valuable space in our homes and hearts. Thank them and let them go.

As much as possible, may we be blessed to hold onto what serves us well, and fill the empty spaces with blessing.

]]> 2020-08-18 12:19:16 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684592507 Private Meditation by Thomas Merton asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684594340 My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

]]> 2020-08-18 12:20:39 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684594340 Tashlich- A Prayer asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684596982 On this sacred day
when the old year slips away
we prepare to meet the year ahead,
we stand together around this pool of water
our hands holding small pieces of paper, bird seed, bread crumbs
symbols of our shortcomings and regrets.
Many are the regrets and sorrows
that weigh upon our souls,
let us cast them off into the warm waters
so we may begin anew.
Great is our regret
for the harsh words we have spoken,
the tender words we left unsaid,
for the anger we let smolder,
the compassion we withheld,
for our greed and jealousy,
our lack of generosity.
for all that we could have done,
all that we have left undone.
Many are the regrets and sorrows
that weigh upon our souls,
let us cast them into the warm waters
so we can strive to become
all that we were meant to be.
Great is our remorse
for the energy we spent fighting
instead of trying to make amends,
for the times we could have lent a hand
instead of keeping our hands by our sides,
for the times we looked away from those near and far
who need our help and caring,
when we turned away from the places in the world
in need of repairing.
Many are the regrets and sorrows
that weigh upon our hearts and souls,
let us cast them into the warm waters
so we can begin to build bridges
connecting us one to another.

]]> 2020-08-18 12:22:33 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684596982 New Beginnings asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684604067 New beginnings start with stopping the endless stream of self-recriminations.  How can I expect others to allow me to have a fresh start, if I myself won’t let go of the past?  I have a choice with every day, every hour, every minute, as to what I’m going to put my energy into.  If I spend it reliving and regretting past events, past decisions and past actions, there is no time or energy for the new.  So new beginnings entail learning the lessons from the past, and taking those lessons – not the past – into a new day]]> 2020-08-18 12:27:21 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684604067 Trying Harder asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684609820 “When I think of a “new beginning” at this point in my life – it is more about trying harder in my relationships with others, especially family and friends.  It is investing time and energy together with patience, love and understanding.  It is not that we do not know what to do – it is the opportunity to start again and do it better, recognizing we will not always succeed.  It is about the effort and the intent – that is the newness I seek.  With knowing that you did all you could – the reward will be the effort.  Zchar mitzvah – mitzvah”.]]> 2020-08-18 12:31:20 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684609820 Letting Go asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684611586 New beginnings start with stopping the endless stream of self-recriminations.  How can I expect others to allow me to have a fresh start, if I myself won’t let go of the past?  I have a choice with every day, every hour, every minute, as to what I’m going to put my energy into.  If I spend it reliving and regretting past events, past decisions and past actions, there is no time or energy for the new.  So new beginnings entail learning the lessons from the past, and taking those lessons – not the past – into a new day.]]> 2020-08-18 12:32:27 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684611586 Directions asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684615186 It feels good to be lost in the right direction. Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. The best view comes after the hardest climb]]> 2020-08-18 12:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684615186 Changes asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684616864 As I approach these High Holidays, I think about changes that approach as I get older and reach a new stage in my life: married children, extended family, hopefully grandchildren,   I take stock of where I am and things I still hope to accomplish.   I am grateful for what God has given me but feel I have more to do.  Do I have the courage to move in new directions?  Honestly I really don’t know.]]> 2020-08-18 12:35:30 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684616864 No Beginning and No End asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684618613 I see life as a cycle so no beginning or end. However within that loop are many transitions and opportunities to take on challenges , overcome obstacles, delve deeper, learn and grow. Living each day as a new day, weighing heavily on forgiveness, tolerance and giving everyone ( including myself) the benefit of the doubt helps me to stay open and optimistic about the future.”]]> 2020-08-18 12:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684618613 Summer's End asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684620010 As memories of the summer begin to fade away with the cooling air, and attempts to prolong the illusion of frivolity fail, it is time to come home and address all those matters that matter, that we had let slip away.  Responsibilities left dangling need to be picked up again, and it is time to look inside and take stock of the last twelve months.  Are we satisfied with what we’ve done?  Can we do better?  Are we ashamed?  Will we find the strength to do better?”]]> 2020-08-18 12:37:18 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684620010 Loss asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684621038 Our family lost close family members to death over the past year. At times like this it really makes you think of treasuring every moment we have on earth, to deepen the relationships to our existing family and friends.  I need to be more thankful and appreciative for all the people I do have.”]]> 2020-08-18 12:37:51 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684621038 Being Vulnerable asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684621915 The High holidays allow me to let my guard down.  I’m more vulnerable than any other time of the year.  Asking Hashem, friends and family for forgiveness for all the things I’ve done poorly comes easier.  Making a commitment to self-improvement comes easier.  It’s making all that stick once the holidays are over that’s my challenge .”]]> 2020-08-18 12:38:23 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684621915 The Gift asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684623922 For me a new beginning is a gift I give to myself at various times, but especially around the High Holidays.  I give myself the chance to shed past mistakes I have made or things I did that I regret or wish I’d done differently and to start afresh.  And I try not to expect myself to be perfect going forward but to give myself credit for trying to do better in the future.”]]> 2020-08-18 12:39:33 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684623922 Remembrance asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684625018 It may seem odd to think about death as marking a new beginning.  This is a season of remembrance, however.  We will say Yizkor on Yom Kippur.  We cannot know what death implies for ourselves.  But we can be sure that the deaths of our parents marks a new beginning for those of us who are adults with children.  We no longer have our parents to serve as our appreciative audience and cheering section.  Instead, we must carry on and play that role for our own children—and find and retain ways to find meaning and purpose for ourselves absent those which providing nacchas for our parents once did.  A new beginning—and a challenging one.]]> 2020-08-18 12:40:11 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/684625018 Tashlich asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691122643 2020-08-21 11:10:19 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691122643 Reimagining asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691123469 2020-08-21 11:11:33 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691123469 Music to soothe and enrich during the holidays asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691126852 2020-08-21 11:17:10 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/691126852 Positive Viddui- Confessions asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/699666061 2020-08-26 12:55:04 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/699666061 Tashlich-A Guided Meditation to soothe the soul asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/760833788 Take 9 minutes to center yourself for the holidays.]]> 2020-09-19 09:54:49 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/760833788 Enjoy this beautiful poem of self-forgiveness by Joanne Fink asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/1742431831 2021-09-15 11:37:30 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/1742431831 An Overature for Kol Nidre asbchazan https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/1753710680 2021-09-20 12:02:38 UTC https://padlet.com/asbchazan/YamimNoraim/wish/1753710680