All future stories written by Reuben Salsa (every Thursday, 8 am Auckland time) will be for paid subscribers only. Guest posts will remain free and posted every Sunday (8 am Auckland time).
All the davening (prayers} on Yom Kippur are collective rather than individual. All the language is "we ..." : we did this, we regret this. we need this, etc.. It is a big communal love fest between us and G-d. My favourite prayer is hacol maminim which basically means All Believe. It is a comprehensive list of all the things Jews believe about G_d and our relationship. It is sung with much joy and gusto. Why do I love it so much? Every Jew (who is in shul), all over the world, is singing the same statement of belief. I always get a little teary when I think of how this prayer binds us together. And Ruben, you got us started. New Zealand is the earliest country that brings in the day. Well done you!
Shame on those people that made fun of your walk to synagogue! I wish I could have seen you. I would have hoed you wheel your dad and stayed for the prayers. I miss my Jewish family. I'm a catholic gal that was married to a Jewish man. I know, you call US names. Tonight I will break the fast with the family I used to call mine! Again. It has been 12 years. I will celebrate my inner jew.
Yeah...the older I got, the more anxious (or aware) I became of the 'background' noise. It was when Kol Nidre fell on a Friday night that obviously made things worse. Just a small section of the walk but with a huge impact. I admire the Chabad who walk proudly through the streets whenever a new Torah arrives or how they stood unafraid celebrating lighting the Hanukah candles at the busiest intersection in town.
Beautiful article. Nice remembrance of your dad and your faith. I don’t mean to be rude but is there a reason you purposely leave the “o” out of God? I’m thinking it might be because of censorship? Which of course is unbelievably sad if that’s the case. Either way I really enjoy your writing.
Thank you. The 'o' is from my upbringing in Jewish schools and Sunday classes. I was always taught never to write G-d's name in vain, hence the missing o.
I too love getting lost in the melodies and rhythms of our ancient prayers at a small Chanad congregation in Glasgow (Scotland), though I understand but a wee bit of Hebrew due to my dad thinking it was unnecessary for girls to study the language. Wrong! Gradually, I am learning more. The puzzle pieces are fitting together and my depth and richness of understanding grows accordingly.
One of my funniest "Jewish" moments ever happened in Auckland more than a decade ago. I was in town for business and was out partying with a native Kiwi pal. We ended up in a strip club downtown. It was not particularly hopping and the girls were no match for the weird quiet that descends on a mostly empty strip club. It was a Saturday night. I was looking around at the oddly formal architecture and saw a Magen David glass window. I realized the building at some point had been a synagogue. We roared with laughter at that.
The next day my friend and I were having dinner with his wife and mother-in-law. They asked how I was liking New Zealand and I said I was enjoying it very much, had in fact been to shul the night before.
Great writing. Very heartfelt. Im sorry about your Dad!
I’m a Buddhist married to a Jewish for six years now, this was my first time attending Yom Kippur though. I do not understand Hebrew and usually get lost in (melancholic) way my reform cantor sings. In Calgary, Alberta Canada, we go to a reform synagogue. Orthodox would not appreciate queers like us!
I’m sorry anyone ever made fun of you and your family for going to a religious service! Shame on them. 😡 Glad your father found acceptable place even at his age. 🙏🏻 Mine was a preacher. I still miss him at church. That empty chair he used is hard to see sometimes. God bless.
Now I understand why Jews always say when someone dies or is killed….. may his memory be a blessing….. I’m glad your dad’s memory is a blessing for you
Beautiful ❤️
All the davening (prayers} on Yom Kippur are collective rather than individual. All the language is "we ..." : we did this, we regret this. we need this, etc.. It is a big communal love fest between us and G-d. My favourite prayer is hacol maminim which basically means All Believe. It is a comprehensive list of all the things Jews believe about G_d and our relationship. It is sung with much joy and gusto. Why do I love it so much? Every Jew (who is in shul), all over the world, is singing the same statement of belief. I always get a little teary when I think of how this prayer binds us together. And Ruben, you got us started. New Zealand is the earliest country that brings in the day. Well done you!
G'mar chatima tova
Shame on those people that made fun of your walk to synagogue! I wish I could have seen you. I would have hoed you wheel your dad and stayed for the prayers. I miss my Jewish family. I'm a catholic gal that was married to a Jewish man. I know, you call US names. Tonight I will break the fast with the family I used to call mine! Again. It has been 12 years. I will celebrate my inner jew.
Yeah...the older I got, the more anxious (or aware) I became of the 'background' noise. It was when Kol Nidre fell on a Friday night that obviously made things worse. Just a small section of the walk but with a huge impact. I admire the Chabad who walk proudly through the streets whenever a new Torah arrives or how they stood unafraid celebrating lighting the Hanukah candles at the busiest intersection in town.
Beautiful article. Nice remembrance of your dad and your faith. I don’t mean to be rude but is there a reason you purposely leave the “o” out of God? I’m thinking it might be because of censorship? Which of course is unbelievably sad if that’s the case. Either way I really enjoy your writing.
Thank you. The 'o' is from my upbringing in Jewish schools and Sunday classes. I was always taught never to write G-d's name in vain, hence the missing o.
Yes. I too. That's how we were taught. Thank you for asking, Nikki Richard.
Oh wow, thank you for letting me know! I’m Christian and had no idea. It’s a beautiful reason. Thank you for both for being so kind.
We write, or say, Hashem, which literally means The Name. In this inclusive forum however, G_d it is.
I too love getting lost in the melodies and rhythms of our ancient prayers at a small Chanad congregation in Glasgow (Scotland), though I understand but a wee bit of Hebrew due to my dad thinking it was unnecessary for girls to study the language. Wrong! Gradually, I am learning more. The puzzle pieces are fitting together and my depth and richness of understanding grows accordingly.
Chabad!
One of my funniest "Jewish" moments ever happened in Auckland more than a decade ago. I was in town for business and was out partying with a native Kiwi pal. We ended up in a strip club downtown. It was not particularly hopping and the girls were no match for the weird quiet that descends on a mostly empty strip club. It was a Saturday night. I was looking around at the oddly formal architecture and saw a Magen David glass window. I realized the building at some point had been a synagogue. We roared with laughter at that.
The next day my friend and I were having dinner with his wife and mother-in-law. They asked how I was liking New Zealand and I said I was enjoying it very much, had in fact been to shul the night before.
Must have been Las Vegas on K Road.
Quite possibly! I just remember a couple of recent grads from St. Cuth’s who were out having a naughty night….
Great article.
Sorry guys this year I prayed to the G-d of vengeance.
Holidays are all about family, that’s really #1. Great piece!
This is a beautiful post.
Great writing. Very heartfelt. Im sorry about your Dad!
I’m a Buddhist married to a Jewish for six years now, this was my first time attending Yom Kippur though. I do not understand Hebrew and usually get lost in (melancholic) way my reform cantor sings. In Calgary, Alberta Canada, we go to a reform synagogue. Orthodox would not appreciate queers like us!
Beautiful!!
I’m sorry anyone ever made fun of you and your family for going to a religious service! Shame on them. 😡 Glad your father found acceptable place even at his age. 🙏🏻 Mine was a preacher. I still miss him at church. That empty chair he used is hard to see sometimes. God bless.
Now I understand why Jews always say when someone dies or is killed….. may his memory be a blessing….. I’m glad your dad’s memory is a blessing for you