Mysteries of the Machzor
A Four-Week Online Adult Education Program from Liturgist Alden Solovy
Mysteries of the Machzor – Week 1 – The Power of the Day
We’ll open our Mysteries of the Machzor series by exploring the Unetaneh Tokef, a four-part masterpiece echoing the themes of the High Holidays. Enter the prayer that is a study in contrasts, and the inspiration for Leonard Cohen’s song ‘Who by Fire.’
Mysteries of the Machzor – Week 2 – Confessions Past and Present
This week in our Mysteries of the Machzor class, we'll examine the unique language of the two traditional confessionals, together known as Vidui – the alphabetic acrostic (Ashamnu) and the longer “For the Sin” (Al Chet) – contrasting them with modern alternatives.
Mysteries of the Machzor – Week 3 – Mystic Doorway
In our next Mysteries of the Machzor class, we'll look at the Kol Nidre, the dramatic mystical doorway into a full day of deep reflection and prayer, a day with the promise of forgiveness.
Mysteries of the Machzor – Week 4 – A Spiritual Compass
Our final Mysteries of the Machzor class will explore the Aveinu Malkeinu (Almighty and Merciful), a haunting set of supplications which are also a reminder of our relationship to G-d as the source of our blessings.
Alden Solovy spreads joy and excitement for prayer. An American Israeli liturgist, poet, author and educator, his writing was transformed by multiple tragedies, marked in 2009 by the sudden death of his wife from catastrophic brain injury. The Liturgist-in-Residence for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, his teaching spans from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem to synagogues throughout North America, as well as Leo Baeck College in London and Limmud Conferences in the U.S., Canada and the UK. He is the author of four books, two from CCAR Press: the newly-released This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. His fifth solo volume is slated for release in March 2021, also from CCAR Press. Alden’s work is anthologized in 15 volumes from Jewish, Christian, and Catholic publishers. Alden also writes for Ritualwell, RavBlog and the Times of Israel. He’s a three-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. Find his latest work at ToBendLight.com. In 2012, Alden made aliyah to Jerusalem.
