The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2026- Page 20

By Rochelle Carney

Rosh Hashanah is more than the beginning of a new year. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect on the year that has passed and consider how we can become the best versions of ourselves in the year ahead. The High Holidays invite us to engage in introspection, set intentions for the from the Hebrew word meaning“ you shall cast.” On Rosh Hashanah, many Jews gather beside a flowing body of water to symbolically cast away their sins by tossing breadcrumbs into the current. Participants recite prayers and shake crumbs from their pockets, expressing their desire to leave behind the

act of casting away sins with the physical act of removing litter from rivers, lakes and shorelines. Rather than adding something to the water, participants leave it cleaner than they found it.

Reverse Tashlich was launched in 2016 by the nonprofit organization Repair the

Sea to connect Jewish spirituality with environmental stewardship. Since then, the initiative has spread across North America and beyond. Hundreds of synagogues, Jewish schools, youth groups and community organizations now organize annual cleanup events during the High Holy Days. In 2025 alone, more than 3,000 participants across 31 countries took part in Reverse Tashlich events.

While traditional Tashlich is typically observed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Reverse Tashlich has expanded beyond a single day. Communities may choose any date during the High Holiday season that makes participation accessible to more people. In Charlotte, Temple Israel will host its second annual Reverse Tashlich on Saturday, Sept. 20, offering members of the community yet another opportunity to take part in this meaningful tradition.

Although Reverse Tashlich differs from the traditional ritual, it is firmly rooted in Jewish values. By removing litter from shorelines and waterways, volunteers help protect wildlife and preserve natural resources, putting into practice bal tashchit, the prohibition against needless waste and destruction. The experience also embodies tikkun olam, the responsibility to help repair the world, by transforming reflection into meaningful action. At the same time, Reverse Tashlich fosters kehillah, the value of community, as families, friends and congregants work side by side in a shared act of service.

As the practice of Reverse Tashlich continues to expand, it serves as a powerful reminder that ancient traditions can evolve while remaining true to their deepest purpose. The High Holidays call upon us to examine our lives and commit to becoming better people. Reverse Tashlich extends that sacred work to include the communities in which we live by transforming a symbolic ritual into a tangible, living expression of Jewish values.

To learn more about Shalom Green, visit www. shalomgreenCLT. org or email info @ shalomgreenCLT. org. You can also find us on Facebook at Shalom Green: Shalom Park, Environmental Initiative and on Instagram @ shalomgreen _ CLT. Jewish tradition teaches the importance of caring for the environment, for we must act as partners in preserving creation.

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Join us as we gather together with the Greater Charlotte area clergy for our historic Annual Memorial Service which will be held in-person at the Cemetery. This is an outdoor event, rain or shine.

www. hebrewcemetery. org • 1801 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206