Hatanu lefanekha rakhem 'allenu - We have sinned before you, have mercy on us. This is the chorus line of one of the classic Selihot, Sephardic penitential prayers, we recite for the entire month of Elul leading up to Rosh Ashana and Yom Kippur in our synagogues. However, it's a little strange if we think about the way Sepharadim sing these prayers. When we recite Selihot asking God to forgive us for all our errors and sins from the past year, one would think that we would do so in a very solemn and fearful tone. But as many of you know, it's the exact opposite in our Sephardic synagogues. The tunes are uplifting, bold, cheerful; it almost sounds like there’s a party going on every morning during the rendition of the Selihot.
Yet to me, this embodies what it means to be a Sephardic Jew, and a member of our Sephardic Community of America. The classic Sephardic approach is one of positivity and communal support, not of chastisement or fear. Our Sephardic way dictates that even when we may have missed a step, there’s always a chance to be better, to improve oneself for the future. In fact, I think that one of the reasons why our tunes for Selihot are so beautiful and uplifting is because we’re recognizing that we missed the mark this past year but have a new chance. We’re speaking as children to our parents, saying to God “Look, we know we screwed up, we’re asking you for forgiveness, and we’re incredibly grateful that you will give us another chance this coming year to do better, to be better in your eyes.”
Just as this season is a time to take accounting and start anew, to lay out new goals and objectives for a good year, we at the Sephardic Brotherhood are excited for the Jewish year ahead. We have many exciting new projects and initiatives in the works for the national Sephardic Community. From our new Bivas - Ladino High School Club of America and Sephardic Young Professionals Network, to our digital magazine portal and new innovative programming in the works, we’re working hard to make sure we are serving all aspects of Sephardic life in America. But this takes work, collaboration, and commitment from community members like you. We need your help - please get involved and volunteer in our work. Help bring new ideas to the table for our Community and new ways we can grow. Get in touch with us at info@sephardicbrotherhood.com and help us make sure this coming year is truly an Anyada Buena i Dulse - a good and sweet new year.
On behalf of our national leadership, I want to wish you and all the Jewish people a happy, healthy, and peaceful new you
Tizku LeShanim Rabot,
Sedat
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