Picture of the Day
Rabbi Sholom Katz, Chabad Shliach to Temecula, California, blowing Shofar at the Tashlich ceremony on the first day of Rosh Hashana ● Photographed by a Non-Jewish reporter ● Full Story, Pictures
By Aaron Claverie / The Press Enterprise
The idea is that members of the community can start the year with a clean slate.
Rabbi Sholom Katz of the Chabad Jewish Center in Temecula presided over the brief ceremony, which included the blowing of a shofar, or ram’s horn.
“May all of us be inscribed for a happy and sweet and healthy new year,” he told the crowd of more than 100, a gathering that was more robust than last year when the temperature was hotter.
Following his words, the crowd made its way to the edge of the water and people recited prayers and tossed pieces of bread into the water.
Jonathan Weiss of San Jacinto has participated in the ceremony for the past three years, even though it requires a drive of more than 30 minutes through the teeth of schooltime traffic.
“It was worth it,” he said. “It’s always worth it.”
For Weiss, the Tashlich is a chance to commue with the creator and he said it’s very cathartic. His wife, Laura, agreed, saying it’s very freeing.
“It’s beautiful, causes your soul to wake up and do better next year,” she said.
As people started to head back to their cars, Katz explained how Rosh Hashanah serves as a sort of bookend to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement that will be marked Oct. 3.
“It’s climbing up the ladder,” he said, talking about how the community progresses from sitting in judgment and dwelling on their sins to focusing on repentance and atonement.
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