Grief in a Year of Chaos
Approaching the High Holy Days during the month of Elul primes us for introspection and reflection.
Yizkor, the memorial service on Yom Kippur afternoon, is the height of this activity. Most years, we focus on the loved ones we’ve lost but this year, there is more than enough grief of all types to go around. Of course, there are the losses of loved ones – connected to COVID 19 or not - but there is also grief at the loss of a home, or of a job. There is suffering at the missed opportunity for a graduation, or the personal milestones that couldn’t be celebrated as we’d hoped. This series will consider the ways in which our tradition has provided for our needs for comfort and navigation through the hardest moments of life.
The class is being co-taught by Rabbi Jay, Betsy Stone and Moira Morrissey. Each session will be stand-alone, and will meet
Thursdays from 7:30pm-8:30pm. We will focus on four prayers that are essential parts of the liturgy for the Days of Awe:
August 27: Avinu Malkeinu (Our Parent, Our Ruler)
September 3: Un’taneh tokef (Who shall live and who shall die)
September 10: Kol Nidrei (All Vows)
September 17: El malei (Prayer for someone who has died -- part of Yizkor service)
