A Season of Reflection and Renewal
As Jewish communities worldwide prepare to welcome Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City, offers a timely message: the Jewish New Year is not just a celebration but also an invitation to return to “our better selves.”
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| Rabbi Angela Buchdahl leading a Rosh Hashanah service at Central Synagogue in New York, with the congregation gathered in prayer. |
In her new memoir, Heart of a Stranger (Pamela Dorman Books), Buchdahl recounts her journey to becoming the first Asian American rabbi, weaving her personal story with Jewish teachings on faith, resilience, and community.
The Deeper Meaning of Teshuvah
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a ten-day period leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. At its heart is Teshuvah—the Hebrew word for “repentance” or literally, “return.”
“Teshuvah is about coming back to who we know we can be,” Rabbi Buchdahl explained. “It’s not about perfection. It’s about accountability, reflection, and growth—together as a community.”
During synagogue services, Jewish prayers include a communal confession. Worshippers strike their chests while reciting transgressions—acts of selfishness, dishonesty, or indifference. The emphasis is not on individual guilt but on shared responsibility.
A Universal Message
While rooted in Jewish tradition, Rabbi Buchdahl draws a broader lesson for American society.
“Imagine if we could do teshuvah together as a nation,” she said. “Not blaming one another, but acknowledging where we’ve fallen short—ignoring the vulnerable, normalizing violence, rewarding outrage instead of understanding.”
Buchdahl believes that true renewal comes from collective accountability, compassion, and hope. “As we begin this New Year, may we return to the goodness and generosity that is possible in all of us.”
Rosh Hashanah's Focus: Growth & Community
- Rosh Hashanah 5786: Jewish year count based on the creation of the world.
- Traditions: Shofar blasts, synagogue prayers, communal reflection, apples dipped in honey for a sweet year.
- Focus: Self-improvement, spiritual growth, community accountability.
Rabbi Buchdahl’s Book: Heart of a Stranger
Her memoir, released this fall, explores themes of identity, belonging, and faith through the lens of her experiences as a Korean immigrant and the first Asian American rabbi ordained in the United States.
Rosh Hashanah: The Promise of Change
As worshippers gather this week for synagogue services in New York and beyond, Rabbi Buchdahl’s words echo:
“The joy of Rosh Hashanah is knowing we can change—and return to our better selves.”
L’Shana Tova – A sweet and hopeful New Year.
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