A New Beginning by The Sea By Giselle Vizcaino

THE NASHUVA EXPERIENCE

“Today we have come to this body of water to perform Tashlich, an ancient Jewish cleansing ritual that takes place

on the first day of Rosh Hashana. We have come to the ocean with bread crumbs in our hands to concentrate on all

the negativity we’d like to be free of such as our sins, transgressions, misdeeds, character flaws, destructive

habits and unworthy thoughts. We have searched deeply into our souls. Therefor, we cast our bread into the ocean

and pray that God will cast off all our sins, heal us, free us, cleanse us, and renew or souls for the new year.” –Rabbi

Naomi Levy

NASHUVA

WHAT IS PRAYER? IT IS A SOLEMN REQUEST FOR HELP OR AN EXPRESSION OF THANKS ADDRESSED

TO GOD OR AN OBJECT OF WORSHIP.

“LET ALL MY SINS BE CARRIED AWAY WITH THESE WAVES. LET MY TRANSGRESSIONS BE TRANSFORMED INTO NOURISHMENT

FOR THE BIRDS AND THE FISH. HEAL ME, GOD, HEAR ME, GOD. RESTORE ME TO

WHOLENESS, TO HOPE, TO CREATIVITY, TO LIFE.” –A TASHLICH PRAYER

SOME PRAYED ON THE SAND WHILE OTHERS PLAYED IN

THE SAND.

CHILDREN JOINED THE CELEBRATION BY PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENTS ALONG WITH THE DRUM CIRCLE RHYTHM BEATS.

PEOPLE ARRIVED FROM NEAR AND FAR TO PLAY A VARIETY

OF DRUMS IN HARMONY.

THERE WERE A VARIETY OF INSTRUMENTS FOR ALL TO

PLAY.

THERE IS GREAT JOY WHEN PEOPLE GATHER TO PLAY MUSIC TOGETHER.

THE “TORAH” IS JUDAISM'S MOST IMPORTANT TEXT. IT CONTAINS THE

FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES. IT IS THE SOURCE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

KNOWN MORE COMMONLY TO NON- JEW'S AS THE OLD TESTAMENT.

THIS SMALL ROUND HAT IS CALLED A “KIPPAH” OR A “YARMULKE.” THE SKULL CAP IS WORN BY JEWISH MEN AND BOYS FOR PRAYER AND BY ORTHODOX JEWISH

MEN AT ALL TIMES. IT IS A BRIMLESS CAP USUALLY MADE OF CLOTH.

MOST PEOPLE WERE DRESSED IN WHITE CLOTHING AS THEY

SECURED A SPOT FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT RITUAL.

SOME PEOPLE ENJOYED THE VIEW FROM THE GROUND

AND OTHERS FROM ABOVE.

CHILDREN CLIMBED UP THE LIFEGUARD TOWER TO GET A BETTER PERSPECTIVE OF THE RITUAL FROM

ABOVE.

THIS CHILD WAS BRAVE ENOUGH SIT ON THE RAILING OF THE

LIFEGUARD TOWER TO WATCH THE CELEBRATION FROM ABOVE.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TYPE BREAD BROUGHT TO THE SEA TO PERFORM

THE CLEANSING RITUAL.

SOME CHILDREN ALSO ENJOYED EATING THE BREAD.

THE TIME CAME TO WALK TOWARDS THE OCEAN TO PRAY FOR ONESELF

AND FOR THE WORLD.

CAST OFF THE BREAD AND SAY:“HEAR THE CRIES OF ALL PEOPLE, GOD. CAST

OFF ALL SUFFERING. CAST OFF INJUSTICE. CAST OFF DISEASE. CAST OFF HATRED. CAST OFF WAR. LET THIS BE A GOOD YEAR, GOD. A YEAR OF HEALTH, A YEAR OF STRENGTH, A

YEAR OF JOY, A YEAR OF PEACE. AMEN.” – A TASHLICH PRAYER

IT WAS A HAPPY OCCASION FOR ALL. EVEN FOR THE PETS.

IT’S AMAZING HOW THIS RITUAL BROUGHT SO MANY PEOPLE

TOGETHER FROM DIFFERENT CITIES TO JOIN IN PRAYER.

WHAT WOULD YOU PRAY FOR?

THE TIDE OF THE OCEAN WAS VERY LOW ON THIS DAY AND THE WATER WAS WARM. AN INTENSE FEELING PEACE AND TRANQUILITY FILLED

THE AIR. THIS WAS AN EXPERIENCE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.

“LET THE DAY SOON COME WHEN THERE WILL BE NO MORE PAIN OR

DESTRUCTION IN THIS WORLD. WHEN THE LOVE OF GOD WILL FILL

THE EARTH AS THE WATERS FILL THE SEA.” –ISAIAH 11

SOME WERE DANCING AND TWIRLING WITH JOY.

EVERYONE WAS VERY KIND AND JOYFUL.

THE SUN HAD SET AND MANY PEOPLE LEFT FOR HOME.

OTHERS STAYED BEHIND AND CONTINUED TO CELEBRATE

INTO THE NIGHT.

“Teach us to heal your world, God. Fill us with strength to fight injustice. Grant scientist the wisdom to fight disease. Fill our leaders with the wisdom to pursue peace. Fill our hearts with the power to conquer hatred. Wake us out of

our indifference. God, shield us from despair. Ignite us with passion. Inspire our hope.” – A Tashlich Prayer

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NASHUVA