Cantor’s Message
High Holy Days 5786/2025-6
Dearest friends,
Very shortly, the High Holy Days will be upon us. I am very very much looking forward to returning to Beth Israel in person, and spending this special time with you.
The theme that I have chosen to guide us in our worship is Jewish ideas of leadership. There are many aspects to this principle and role. We think, of course, of leaders of our government, communities, and places of work; but those represent only one type of leader. When we drill down into our closest relationships, we find that leadership is equally important: it informs how we relate to our families and friends on a daily basis, and how we interact with the wider world. We are all leaders – and followers – in some respect, and being Jewish should inform how we view this essential role.
In my short presentations on the High Holy Days, I will focus on a select number of biblical figures – both men and women – to bring out particular aspects of their leadership. I’m hoping that this will encourage you to reflect on what leadership means to you personally.
Leadership will also be the focus the spiritual exercise that I have set for this year. There are two questions that I would like you to answer: (1) Which Jewish leader (ancient or modern) do you admire most, and why? (2) How does being Jewish inform your own sense of leadership? We will discuss your responses at Mincha time on Yom Kippur (Thursday 2 October); I think the views you share will be of great interest! The worksheet that I have drawn up will present you with some resources to guide your thinking.
The materials for the exercise are attached to this newsletter or available by contacting gabbai@jccpeterborough.com.
We will, of course, have lots of music and congregational participation. I will be accompanied for certain portions of the services by the incomparable Dan Houpt, for whom I have written a number of new arrangements, including (another) special version of Adon Olam. At the pot luck this year at the Houpt farm, Dan and I will perform a series of ten pieces, mostly from the High Holy Day liturgy, for which I will offer some commentary, to help you understand the meanings behind these wonderful musical numbers. You might even sing along more when these occur in the services!
We begin on the evening of 22 September, at 7 pm. I hope to see you in the course of this joyous period in our liturgical year.
I wish you all a Shanah Tovah, and G’mar Chatimah Tovah.
With love from Cantor Leon