Shana Tova. My brother, who is a jazz trumpet player and music teacher (now retired), can play jazz on the shofar. Many tones. Also, can blast the t’kiah gadola very loudly and for a long time. Very moving. Though no shofar today.
I ceased being observant long ago (the day I left for college) but I have always appreciated that Judaism focuses not on beliefs but on actions. The way you get avert the decree and redemption is not by faith but by your acts towards others – teshuvah (repentence but more returning to your original pure soul), tefillah (prayer but more strengthening one’s attachment to the divine) and tzedakah (righteous acts). I try to use Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to think about my life and what I want and especially what I can do better in the New Year. Repentence, prayer and righteous acts
We attend a very spiritually focused Reconstructionist synagogue. Today, it focused me on a couple of things: What I’m grateful for and one thing I can commit to to in the New Year. I realize that I am grateful for how well things have turned out in my life. Just completed 39 years of marriage to a great wife. Terrific kids who for the most part are adulting very well. We live in a really nice house sited in a spot that gives me peace daily and awe sometimes. Work that keeps me excited even though I do not need to work.
I have decided to express my gratitude and love to my wife more consistently and frequently.