Remember Who You Really Are
High Holy Days with Temple Or Olam
5770/2009

In Africa, a group of people called the Babemba (People of the Lake) have a practice they use whenever someone behaves unjustly or irresponsibly and hurts other members of their community. The community ceases its business. Each woman, man, and child helps make a circle around that person. Then, every individual takes the time to tell that person about his or her good traits — in detail. All that person’s positive attributes, good deeds, strengths and kindness are recited.

The ceremony can take hours – even days. When everyone is finished, the villagers celebrate with great joy. The person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe.

What’s happening here? In the villagers’ minds, the person in question has forgotten who he or she really is, and must be reminded. Because when you know and appreciate yourself, the Babemba assume, you will have no need to harm anyone.

This year, we’ll experiment with the High Holy Day liturgy to engage in a similar, uplifting practice. Our teshuva (self-exploration, penitence, and return) will be explored through meditating, praying, and writing in teshuva journals, but with this assumption: High Holy Days are a call for us to return to the truth of who we are.

September 18, 7 p.m.: Erev Rosh Hashanah service
September 19, 9:30 a.m.: Rosh Hashanah service, followed by brunch and
Taschlich
September 27, 7 p.m.: Kol Nidre
September 28, 9:30 a.m.: Yom Kippur service
September 28, 6:30 p.m.: Neila, Havdalah, then break fast
All services held at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Babysitting available
Suggested donations for non-members:
Families: $180
Individuals: $90
Students: As you are able
Any High Holy Day donations can be applied to membership dues if you join within three months