October 7 Commemoration
BHC met on Sunday, October 6 to commemorate the particular horrors and traumas of October 7, 2023. For this painful occasion, Rabbi Kirshbaum created two new rituals to help embody the shock and grief we are still feeling.
Professional musicians Shana Aisenberg, violin, and Beverly Woods, accordion, specialize in klezmer and Jewish music. Rabbi Kirshbaum joined then on cello, forming an instrumental ensemble for which the pieces were arranged. A setting of Psalm 30 , with its message to “dance your grief to the surface” provided thematic material for Rabbi Kirshbaum’s comment. BHC President Dave Goldstone added his voice leading prayers for Israel and the hostages.,
The program included familiar prayers, musical settings of psalms and two newly-created rituals. Upon arriving, everyone was given black and yellow ribbons. Rabbi Kirshbaum invited each attendee to drape both a black ribbon and a yellow ribbon around their neck—the former in remembrance of the dead, the latter in remembrance of the hostages still held captive.
The ceremony ended with Rabbi Kirshbaum’s second new ritual. She chose a Ladino wedding song, rich with images of cleansing in the salt water, tears and renewal, as a final musical selection.
BHC member Anna McClennen worked out an arrangement of the song, played guitar and sang with the support of the ensemble. But this was more than just listening. Holding tea lights, attendees participated by joining in a circle dance led by Jacki Katzman or remaining seated to ‘dance in place’ with hand gestures led by the Rabbi.
The ceremony concluded with congregants placing the tea lights around a vase of red roses, symbolizing the sexual violence inflicted upon many of the victims. Then participants draped their yellow and black ribbons on the bimah, which remained there throughout the high holidays. People left ithe sanctuary in contemplative silence, moved by the experience.
Thanks to Shana Aisenberg, Beverly Woods, Anna McClennen, Jacki Katzman, Lucy Goodhart, David Goldstone, Melissa Potter, Michel Adler, and the BHC board of directors for their support and contributions to this heartbreaking, but beautiful, observance.
See the ceremony program below.
By Anna McClennen and Jacki Katzman. Photos by Martin Kessel and Jacki Katzman
