The Valley’s Jewish community is ready for a new year.

Rosh Hashana, which celebrates the creation of the universe, begins Friday at sundown. Some synagogues around the Valley have planned physically distanced services to commemorate the holiday while still being mindful of health guidelines in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Some in the community told The Arizona Republic they’re ready for a fresh start after a year that brought much tumult.

Rabbi Mendy Rimler, of Chabad Jewish Center of South Phoenix, said that the coronavirus outbreak has created a “snag” in typical festivities, but added that the holiday is more poignant this year.

“We didn’t know last year at Rosh Hashana what this year would bring, we don’t know what this next year will bring, (but) we know when we come together and hold onto our faith …. then that’s truly all we can control,” he said. “That’s why it’s so important for us to be introspective in times like this and see how we can utilize this time to repair relationships and find ways to spread goodness, spread kindness.”

Rimler said 2020 has forced people to acknowledge that they are not in control, but he doesn’t see that as a bad thing.

“It’s a humbling experience for everyone,” he said. “Everyone’s feeling the impact, everyone’s feeling like the rug was pulled out from under them. It’s a moment of self-awareness for us … we realize we’re not in charge and it’s up to us to make the best of it.”

And though, like nearly all traditions in 2020, Rosh Hashana will look different this time around, Rimler said he and his congregation are working to spread holiday cheer however they can.

In the days leading up to the holiday, Rimler has been packing and delivering about 30 boxes filled with traditional items such as prayer books, honey cake and challah bread.

The synagogue is hosting a physically distanced shofar service Sunday evening to commemorate the new year, which Rimler said he’s hoping will bring peace and a cure for COVID-19.

The sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn, is the central observance of the holiday. Jewish law requires the shofar be blown 30 times on each day of Rosh Hashana, though traditionally it is blown around 100 times.

‘There will be a lot of real prayer coming from people’s hearts’

Like Rimler, Rabbi Shlomy Levertov of Chabad of Paradise Valley opts to see the silver lining in a year filled with widespread despair.

“For many people it’s too much to handle — I think for everybody, it’s too much to handle,” he said.

Levertov said he hopes the lifestyle changes caused by the pandemic could help people learn to accept change in their life for the better.

“Change was something we never wanted, we didn’t look for change and many of us were very comfortable in our lifestyles,” he said. “The past couple of months have given us time to see what our priorities in life are.”

“We can look through our life and figure out what’s a priority. It’s possible, maybe people have put a bigger value on relationships, a bigger price tag on relationships.”

Chabad of Paradise Valley is also hosting an in-person celebration. Levertov said he viewed it as his mission to provide a safe way to celebrate the holiday for those who want to participate in person, and said he believes those who do show up for Rosh Hashana services will be deeply moved.

“There will be a lot of real prayer coming from people’s hearts, deep down in their hearts,” he said. “This year impacted many, many people. It’ll be much more meaningful.”

Levertov said he also hopes people use the holiday as a “way of giving thanks to G-d” for their health and safety, and use their religion as a means of gleaning comfort even as the pandemic, and accompanying uncertainties, persist. Jews often do not write the full name of G-d.

His synagogue will be hosting several services throughout the weekend, ending with a shofar service Sunday evening. Those planning on attending are asked to make a reservation online.

He hopes the service, and the holiday itself, will prompt the community to put “less meaning on the mundane” and more on relationships and spirituality in the year ahead.

Rosh Hashana is the first of the ten Days of Awe in Judaism. At the end of the High Holy Days period is Yom Kippur, which this year will begin Sept. 27 at sundown.

Those interested in attending a Rosh Hashana service can find an event using Chabad of Arizona’s online directory.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8529.  Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank. 

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