This piece is part of Exploring Judaism’s 5785 High Holiday Reader. Download the whole reader here.
I anticipate the call of the shofar, and I am filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to awaken: awaken not only to a sound so familiar I know it in my bones, a sound that calls me back to my truest self, but a call that reminds me that our world is not yet perfect, and a part of my task in this life is to partner with God to make the world better than it is today. The shofar, with its ancient and resonant call, serves as a spiritual alarm clock, urging us to open our hearts and minds to the diverse voices and experiences that enrich our lives. These are voices that live within me, around me, and beyond me.
The shofar calls us to action, to see the needs of our communities, to respond to bigotry and violence, to condemn hate in all its forms, and to step into creating the world the way God wants to see it–the way we have been dreaming about since before dreams were dreamt.
In this moment of quiet before the shofar’s piercing sound, I recall the identities and stories and colors that make up our many communities. I imagine a world where all our communities hold each other dear because we have learned that love has no bound, no gender, no one right way.
The queer community is a testament to resilience, creativity, and love. It challenges norms and expands our understanding of what it means to be human. By embracing and celebrating this diversity, we honor the divine spark within each person.
However, acknowledging the queer community is only a beginning.
The shofar’s call also reminds us of our responsibility to address this community’s needs and challenges. Queer individuals still encounter discrimination, marginalization, and violence. They struggle for acceptance and equality in various spheres of life, including healthcare, employment, and housing. They serve as a political punching bag, the butt of jokes, and a group to Other. As a community committed to justice and compassion, we hear these voices in the shofar’s calls and commit to take action to create a more inclusive, equitable, and loving world.
God’s world.
The shofar’s call urges us to examine our own biases and privileges, to stand in solidarity and to advocate for change. It reminds us that true allyship requires more than words; it demands ongoing commitment and tangible support.
As I prepare to hear the shofar’s call–its pain and its urging, I am called to hope and to determination.
May its call inspire us to wake up to the beauty of our rich community and to actively work towards meeting its needs.
Let us build a world where everyone, regardless of their identity, can live with dignity, love, and joy.
May the sound of the shofar echo beyond our own hearing and into the actions we will use to change the world.
Kein y’hi ratzon. So may it be.
