Ahava ‘Aina, East Hawaii’s first and only Jewish community congregation, will be reading for the first time from its special sacred Holocaust Torah in celebration of the new year ahead — 5783.
In addition, and as always, its rabbi invites anyone and everyone to join a community of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
“You don’t need to be Jewish to participate in the Jewish High Holy Days,” said Rabbi Rachel Short, founder and leader of Ahava ‘Aina. “We welcome all who wish to attend this sacred and spiritual experience rooted in ancestral wisdom and tradition. Rosh Hashanah is a festive celebration to be shared with friends and family, but it’s also a time for serious reflection. There is much spiritual significance to what we are experiencing right now.”
The services will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Grand Naniloa Hotel located at 93 Banyan Drive in Hilo. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The community will be celebrating the Jewish New Year during services led by Short, with Russell Ruderman and the Ahava ‘Aina Jewish Jam Band singing some traditional, and some not so traditional, songs in a “fun, unique, exciting and engaging way.”
Seating is limited, and tickets can be purchased at www.ahavaaina.org.
“Ahava ‘Aina is proud to serve as the center of our local community for authentic, engaging, welcoming, unique Jewish spiritual life. Our congregation is founded on oneness, unity and love — believing that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities,” Short said. “Everyone is welcome — all faiths, all beliefs, all ages. We are one.”
Led by Short, Ahava ‘Aina is a nonprofit on a mission to heal the world and build the first and only Jewish
cultural community center and synagogue in East Hawaii.
