The High Holidays Are Around the Corner— What’ s Around the Corner for You?
By Jonathan Shaw for Temple Kol Ami
As we approach Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, it’ s natural to begin asking the deeper questions:“ What do I want to focus on this year? Where have I grown? Where have I fallen short?”
For many of us, the answer is:“ Life’ s been fine.” Busy, full, maybe even joyful. And yet, it’ s often not until we take a moment to pause that we begin to notice the subtle ways we’ ve drifted— the habits we didn’ t mean to form, the relationships we meant to repair, and the values we claim to live by.
The High Holidays offer us something that few other times of the year do: space. Space to breathe. Space to look back. Space to ask hard questions— not with guilt, but with honesty and compassion.
Still, one might ask:“ Why do we wait until now? Aren’ t we supposed to live with awareness all year long?” It’ s a fair question. In some ways, these Days of Awe can feel like a spiritual version of Mother’ s Day or Father’ s Day— an annual reminder to show appreciation for something we should be honoring every day. Why do we do that?
Maybe it’ s because life is noisy. It moves fast. And without a nudge, we don’ t often make time to reflect. That’ s why the rhythm of the Jewish calendar is so wise. It builds in this sacred pause. It reminds us to stop the rush of everyday life and turn inward.
However, reflection is only part of the journey. The real goal is transformation.
These holidays aren’ t just about saying sorry or making resolutions. They’ re about teshuvah— a return to who we are. Return to our values. Return to our best selves. It’ s not about being perfect, it’ s about coming closer to the mark. Closer to the people we’ re meant to be.
So, how do we prepare? By showing up with open hearts and honest intentions. By asking ourselves:“ Who do I need to forgive? What do I need to let go of? Where do I want to grow?”
This year at Temple Kol Ami, we’ ll gather in prayer, in song and in community. We’ ll support one another through the work of reflection and renewal, and hopefully, we’ ll walk away from these Days of Awe with a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
The High Holidays are around the corner. What’ s around the corner for you?
Join Temple Kol Ami for the High Holidays, led by Rabbi Bruce Aft and Cantor Mary Thomas, to find the answer.
For service times and seat cost, visit our website at templekolamisc. org. For inquiries, email us at yorksynagogue @ gmail. com. We look forward to seeing you. Please note: seats are included in membership.
The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2025- Page 35