OU HOLIDAYS An Unesaneh Tokef Companion By Zahava Farbman, MSW

As told to Chaia Frishman The chazzan begins to hum the familiar tune of Unesanu Tokef. Familiar, not because I’ve heard its melody in shul for the last few decades, but it is a part of me as I see its consequences every waking day of my life. As the Associate Director of Project Chai, Chai Lifeline’s Crisis Intervention, Trauma and Bereavement Department, as well as the mental health responder for Hatzaloh in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, I am involved in responding to every type of crisis, trauma and tragedy that affects the Jewish Community locally, nationally and internationally. I turn to this epic piyat and the words jump off my machzor’s page.