The waves crashed. The boats sailed. The seagulls flew. And the Jews prayed. More than 150 Jews gathered last Friday evening on a Santa Cruz beach for Temple Beth El's annual Shabbat and Selichot services, when Jews ask God for forgiveness before the start of the High Holy Days.
Water is an important symbol of purification and a vast sea of repentance and prayer.
Congregants ate picnic dinners as they sat on blankets and beach chairs. As services began, the sun was a shining golden ball on the horizon. Then the glowing campfire started, and the ocean became louder as larger and larger waves crashed onto the beach. The sky turned a faint pink and in the distance one could see the lights of the Santa Cruz wharf. Listening to the waves, we get a sense of stillness in praying.