07 October 2011

By Raymond Billy | ResonateNews.com

TYLER, Texas — As the 10 days of repentance — which are bookended by the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the Jewish calendar — come to an end, Rabbi Neal Katz is savoring what is one of the richest times of camaraderie for him each year. Katz, of the Congregation Beth El here, said his temple swells with attendees annually during this time as those seeking spiritual and cultural enrichment come together.

But Katz, 38, said he's careful not to use this season as a time to recruit new members.

“You could be the kind of rabbi to take the occasion as a promotional opportunity, but that puts some people off,” said Katz, who has been the rabbi at Beth El for eight years. “I know some Christians have the experience of going to a Christmas church service and hearing the pastor sarcastically say 'See you on Easter Sunday.' You don't want to shame people who don't come regularly.”

Katz said that although this is a key season for Jews across the world, he doesn't presume to dictate how someone should honor their Semitic heritage.

“There are multiple ways to identify Jewishly. For some people, regular temple or synagogue attendance is a major part of Jewish identity,” Katz said. “I do point out that those who attend regularly will get more out of the sacred celebrations.”

During the days of repentance, Jewish adherents take time out for spiritual self-examination and to seek forgiveness for personal shortcomings. They pray to be maintained in the book of life for another year on Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement — which is Saturday. The season is also a time when Jews consider how they can play a role in tikkun olam — “repairing the world.” Katz said that's not an overwhelming concept if one starts locally.

“During last year's Rosh Hashanah service, I talked a lot about making the Tyler community a better place to live,” he said. “What can we do to enrich our city and our neighborhoods? So it's really a good opportunity to start thinking civically.”

Katz said the time of introspection won't resonate as much with infrequent temple visitors. But the time is still enriching for most who attend high holiday services.

“There's a connection to the Jewish people — that's a huge draw,” he said. “It's not always about God. It's also about people and that cultural connection that's derived. For some, it's also a nostalgia thing because they grew up celebrating the high holidays. People like to recapture that warm feeling and sense of community.”

Katz said “that sense of community” is near to his heart as well.

“I'm obsessed with building the Jewish community here. Having a critical mass” of temple attendees “during these holidays is a chance to connect,” Katz said. “My goal is to make these holidays as memorable as possible. For me, it is a chance to connect in a more intimate way with the Jewish community here."

 

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