On September 10 in Coner Park, Yonkers, Rabbi Levi Welton, spiritual leader of the Lincoln Park Jewish Center {LPJC}, 311 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, inaugurated a new tradition prior to the High Holidays, where members distributed apples and honey snacks to the public, including to the Yonkers Police Dept, 2nd Pct, to wish the Yonkers community a “Sweet New Year”.

 

 As Rabbi Welton says, “Most people think Rosh Hashana is just about Jews praying that G-d bless the Jewish people with a sweet New Year. But the Talmud (Sanhedrin 38B) teaches that Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first human beings.”

 

Through the rain, the group prayed that G-d bless all in Yonkers and all humanity, with a sweet New Year of unity and peace.

 

Then on September 11 , Deputy Mayor Steven Levy attended Rosh Hashana Services  at the  Modern Orthodox Synagogue,  where there was a commemorative service honoring the memory of those impacted by the tragic events of 9/11/2001.

 

President Jack Schweizer of LPJC presided, Cantor Eric Freeman sang prayers, followed by an invocation by Mr. Levy and a sermon by LPJC Spiritual Leader Rabbi Levi Welton that linked the Jewish New Year with 9/11. The address by both speakers was  inspirational, poignant, and relevant to the spirit of Rosh Hashana.

 

Services continued with the traditional blowing of the Shofar.