Seeking forgiveness is a communal effort. Judaism is concerned with both our community identity and our individual development. We gather together as a community to start the path of forgiveness. Our inspiration comes from music and stories which stir the soul. The service which starts this process before the High Holidays is called Selichot.
Selichot means “pardons.” The poems and prayers are designed to help our hearts experience teshuvah, repentance, or return (in the sense of returning to God or returning ourselves in the right direction again.)