Israel for the High Holidays
“Having meals with other people, especially if the
person hosting can serve traditional Jewish foods,
creates an opportunity … to celebrate Jewish food and
culture,” says Gross.

Shari Seidman Klein of Beit Shemesh agrees. She
cooks a holiday meal for her family, as well as for her
children, a few of whom choose not to attend
traditional activities. Apples and honey, round raisin
challah, and other sweet things bring the kids and their
friends back to her dining room each year.

3. Change something
Klein says she often instructs her Hebrew school
students, many whom are products of intermarriage,
to use the High Holidays as a time to better themselves.

She tells them, “Take on one thing for one day.”
For example, rather than fasting on Yom Kippur,
she recommends giving up candy, soda or something
else they like to eat. Older individuals might decide to
give up the personal comfort of watching TV, or they
might make the higher commitment of refraining from
talking badly about others.

“It’s the idea of tikkun olam, bettering the world,”
says Klein. “That one thing on that one day can take
you back to the basics of being — and thinking.”
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4. Do Tashlich
One of Gross’ favorite rituals in Tashlich, for which all
a person needs is access to a body of natural water such
as a creek, pond or river. She recommends taking some
bread or crackers, and spending some time by the water
meditating or journaling.

“I like to think about where I have missed the mark
or haven’t reached my potential and cast this out,” she
says. “It is great opportunity to … think about what
you want as we evolve into the coming year. It’s a
process of spiritual cleansing and preparedness.”
5. Find an alternative minyan
The Israeli organization Tzohar has been working to
bring together the religious and secular Jewish com-
munities in the Jewish state. In the central city of Lod,
Tzohar’s Executive Vice President Yakov Gaon says his
organization found that many secular Israelis refrain
from going to synagogue not because they don’t want
to pray, but because the service is too fast, politicized,
costly or uncomfortable.

“They don’t know how to dress, when to stand up
or sit down,” Gaon says.

About 15 years ago, Tzohar began creating
alternative minyans in community centers, schools and
gyms. The services bring like-minded people together.

Each service is assigned a leader that announces the
prayer page numbers to read, and explains what’s