It’s the High Holy Days and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins Sunday evening. Rabbi Fredric Pomerantz of Congregation Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor shares his reflections on this time of reflection – what it means to his faith, his congregation, and especially what it means during a time of trial and hardship. Plus, the history of this Catskills congregation, their historic building, and how Rabbi Pomerantz has been incorporating contemporary music into worship for half a century!
Dear WJFF- Thank you for reaching out to Congregation Agudas Achim. Rabbi Fred Pomerantz has led our congregation for more than 10 years. He is a deeply spiritual person and had vast experience ministering to congregations of all sizes and of all leanings. Your questions for him demonstrated a true curiosity on behalf of your listeners and a real opportunity for instruction on a faith that often goes very misunderstood. Often, people choose only parts of ideas that they want to believe. Rabbi Fred’s responses will hopefully open up the minds of anyone who heard them to view the entire picture instead. Thank you for making public this opportunity for understanding Judaism. The basis of Judaism is applicable to all people: prayer must be combined with action to fulfill our responsibilities in our world.