Photoessay #1531 - Kol Nidre

I went to Kol Nidre last night. I realized that, in the last several years, when I did go, I would go with Ilana. But Ilana's in Michigan and points beyond. I felt a little sad but basically I didn't have anywhere to go and no one to go with. Other than that, it would be easy.

This congregation is out of West Seattle but held high holiday services in a large Presbyterian church in the downtown area. No cost but they encouraged contribution which I did. My friend Alan from parent group and his girlfriend Tess had attended on Erev Rosh Hashonah. I got the idea to ask them if I could join them. Dennis agreed to go too! Then Tess didn't come so it was Alan, Dennis and me.

I thought of my mother a lot. She insisted that the family make it all the way across town to Temple B'nai Israel in time so she could hear the Kol Nidre. My family tended to run on time but this was most important to her. She must not miss Kol Nidre. Many of the freeways now in Sacramento had not been built when I was young and it was a pretty long drive all the way through town to get there.

I felt last night that losing your parents affects you in a way you cannot anticipate. They might get on your nerves, make judgments, be generally disapproving. And take a lot of energy and time towards the end of their lives. All those many trips to Rockford, I made in a space of ten years. Dozens. But when they're gone, there's a whole and a loss that is permanent and hard. So, at Kol Nidre, I thought rather tearfully of my mother and how she didn't want to miss it.

For those not familiar, Kol Nidre is a prayer said at the beginning of the Erev Yom Kippur service. It is the most special solemn moment of the year. It is the most important moment. The text is ancient and not religous. Many translations and interpretations, like the Jews themselves.

"All personal vows we are likely to make, all personal oaths and pledges we are likely to take between this Yom Kippur and the next Yom Kippur, we publicly renounce. Let them all be relinquished and abandoned, null and void, neither firm nor established. Let our personal vows, pledges and oaths be considered neither vows nor pledges nor oaths."

is one translation. It's repeated three times. Often sang. It's an honor and a duty to perform the Kol Nidre usually to a particular traditional slow and dirgey melody. I wrote about it in 2008. Often there is an accompaniment by a violin or cello.

Last night, there were two vocalists and a violin. The first was sung by a female solist, the second by the male volcalist and the third time together. Very beautifully done. Moving. Acoustics in the First Presbyterian Church are excellent. I was glad I was there and that Dennis had come with me. Something about it is so solemn.

Lots of people there, the large room was almost filled. After the Kol Nidre and some remarks by the rabbi, the treasurer came up and made a pitch for money. Which I've never seen before. Sounds worse than it was. In fact, one of the best pitches I've ever heard. Excellent, funny, tasteful, a wonderful job. I was glad that I had already made my contribution. Rest of the service very satisfying.

So it was all good. I appreciated the opportunity to attend with Dennis and Alan.

Graphic taken from the brochure about the congregation.