Rabbi Alan Lew z'l was a congregational rabbi and teacher, a Buddhist scholar, and a wonderful writer.   

This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation is an extraordinary accompaniment and support for all who wish to treat the High Holy Days as an opportunity for profound spiritual encounter and change.  As one reviewer writes, this book is, "a beautiful, bracing, poetic, loving, and ruthless look at the high holy days in Judaism and the ways in which they invite us to confront what we are making of our lives and our world. "

         
This informal group will meet on six Tuesdays from 6-7:30pm at Nevei Kodesh (see below for dates), and will be facilitated by community members.

Come to the whole series, or drop in for just one or two.  

We have also created a Facebook group for discussion which everyone is welcome to participate in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CNKThisisreal/

All will be invited to conclude our course of study with a siyyum (celebration of completion) in the NK Sukkah on Tuesday October 10 at 6pm.

The book is easily available online in an e-format (Kindle, Nook).  Hardcover copies are also available - though this is peak season to buy them and Amazon only has a few listed, so order yours now if you want one!
    
Cost: Free for members; $10 per session for non-members, $5 per session for students and seniors.

For more information, contact Laure Liverman at llivman@gmail.com.
  

Dates and Content:
       

Tues Aug 8, 6pm: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation [ch.1, 2; optional 3]

A Map of the Journey; and Teshuva; optional ch.3 - Tisha b'Av
     

Tues Aug 22, 6pm: Elul [ch.4]

The Horn Blew and I Began to Wake Up: Elul
   

Tues Sep 12, 6pm: Slichot [ch.5]

This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: Slichot
    

Tues Sep 19, 6pm: Rosh Hashanah and the 10 Days of Tehuva  [ch.6 and 7]

The Horn Blows, the Gates Swing Open, and We Feel the Winds of Heaven: Rosh haShanah - and -

What the Soul Does While the Gates are Still Open: the Ten Days of Teshuva
 

Tues Sep 26, 6pm: Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur [ch. 8 and 9]

The Soul Hears its Name Being Called: Kol Nidre; and Death and Yom Kippur Atone

         
Tues Oct 3, 6pm: Days of Awe (in reflection) and Sukkoth [ch.10 and Epilogue]

The Gates Clang Shut: Neilah; and The Stars Are Shining On My Head: Sukkot
 

And everyone is invited to Siyyum in the Sukkah, Tuesday October 10, 6pm