Once again the Kehillat Kernow community celebrated the High Holy Days in the peaceful, contemplative rural surroundings of Roselidden Farm near Helston.
The Rosh Hashana service was led by the quartet of Hilary Ackland, Mai Jacobson, Paul Kleiman and Jo Richler. The Yom Kippur services were led by Student Rabbi Jennifer Verson.
As always both services were followed by a lovely communal meal with food and wine supplied by members of the community.
Clockwise from top left: KK Chair Jeremy Jacobson and Treasurer Leslie Lipert before the service; Two members chatting before the service begins; Communal Meal ‘selfie’ taken by Roger Chatfield; peaceful Roselidden.
During Pesach, members of Kehillat Kernow gathered together for their annual Matzah Ramble and Picnic at Enys Gardens. The weather was glorious and Enys is famous for its massive display of bluebells that cover the ground as far as the eye can see. As well as enjoying the food and company, a few members took up Mai Jacobson’s offer of leading a Qigong (pronounced chi-kung) session on the lawn outside Enys House.
Rabbi Barry Baron, Colgate University Chaplain led the Shabbat evening service at Falmouth University Chaplaincy yesterday. It was so uplifting and joyful that all of us, including five students, felt close and happy. We shared wonderful food and conversation during the kiddush meal.
When we were going to leave the Chaplaincy, the following conversation took place:
Us: Thanks very much, R. Barry for a lovely evening service.
R. Barry: Good! Glad you enjoyed it and I enjoyed it, too.
Us: We hope G-d enjoyed it, too.
R. Barry: If the Lord didn’t, then He doesn’t have taste.
The first of the three Torah readings for Yom Kippur was taken from the Book of Exodus, or Names (Shemot). It started with Moses asking God to reveal His ways. His request includes the words “Also, You have said: ‘I have known you by name, and you have indeed gained My favour’”. A little later, God confirms Moses’ claim by saying, ‘I will also do this thing that you ask, for you have truly gained My favour and I have known you by name.’ There followed the mysterious, mystical description of God’s appearance to Moses. God announced his presence thus: “Adonai passed before him and proclaims ‘Adonai, Adonai, a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness’.”
How fascinating and moving is this! God knows Moses by name; God knows us by name, every one of us and He reveals His name so that we know him, every one of us.
We broke the Day of Atonement in good spirits with plenty of delicious food.
