From Elul to Tishrei: a poem

Sound of the Shofar

Alerts congregants for a month

Solemn ceremony reserved

Partner calling the notes

Count to one hundred

Before blessing the wine

Apples dipped in honey

Age-old tradition alive

Bread crumbs in a plastic bag

Stroll like a river

Arm of a pitcher

On a primary school student

Clucking chicken held by the feet

Swung circles around a head

Young children watching

Forming questions in their minds

Dumplings for a pre-fast dinner

Soft on the salt intake

Fluidless hours

Until the end of the fast

Ram sacrificed its horns

Clarion call to alert

Foes in the distance

Personal issues covered up

Shower in preparation

Ears cleansed with special care

Deferring food and water

Allowing time to purify a soul

Before flight to libation

Cookies calling your name

Shake hands with your neighbor

Sincere good wishes for a New Year

Dr. Chideckel is a psychiatrist in private practice based in Woodmere.