It’s here! The Wise clergy team could not be more excited to unveil the new High Holy Days machzor entitled Sha’ar HaShamayim (Gateway to Heaven). This new volume intended for meaningful worship is an exemplar of the Wise Way Forward values of creativity, generosity, and inclusivity. Incorporating themes, language, and traditions unique to the Wise community, Sha’ar HaShamayim is a celebration of Wise’s past, present, and future.
“Our machzor is designed to help us return to community, to God, to our best selves. May the sacred words of our tradition contained within this machzor inspire us to be better and to do more.”
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, excerpted from Sha’ar HaShamayim (Gateway to Heaven)
“Ours has always been a community committed to innovation and renewal while at the same time honoring and preserving our tradition. It is our deepest hope that this machzor will serve as a gateway to enrich our individual and communal prayers, revelations, and rituals for years to come.”
Cantor Nathan Lam and Cantor Emma Lutz, excerpted from Sha’ar HaShamayim (Gateway to Heaven)
A copy of Sha’ar HaShamayim will be provided for each worshipper for use during High Holy Days services—but not to take home. For Wise members who have cherished their previous Wise machzorim, please keep them in your library as a wonderful part of the Wise community’s history but there will be no need to bring those copies to High Holy Days services.