Join us as we gather together for a contemplative High Holiday reflection. With Rabbi Alan Lew z”l as our teacher, we will discuss sections of his 2003 classic book, This Is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation. This volume follows the spiritual calendar from Tisha B’Av to Sukkot. In past seasons, the Jewish Mindfulness Center of Washington (JMCW) has chosen one chapter for our community discussion. This year, as part of the Adas Israel Wellness Center, we will focus on the ten days of teshuvah between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rabbi Lew continues to be one of the leading voices in Jewish spiritual practice. His insights, consistently relevant, can guide us on the meaning of the High Holiday journey, especially during these challenging times. 

The complete book is inspiring and can be easily purchased online; note there is an updated paperback edition. If you would prefer a shorter read, here is a link to related portions for our discussion, including Chapter 7: “What the Soul Does While the Gates Are Still Open: The Ten Days of Teshuvah.”