High Holy Day Hub 5785 – Start Here!
To our Beth El Family,
We wish you and your family a year of health, prosperity and peace.
Achot Ketana is a 13th Century piyyut (poem) traditionally recited by Sephardi Jews on the first night of Rosh Hashana. Each of the nine stanza ends the same way: “May this year’s curses end!” We couldn’t agree more!
This has been a difficult year. We eagerly look forward to the High Holy Days and to putting 5784 behind us. Admittedly, we are wary of 5785, uncertain what it holds in store for us. But in the face of many curses, let us never forget that there are many blessings too. These often emerge in times of crisis and despair when we actively take a role in making this world a better place and ourselves better people. And that is the goal of the High Holy Days. They are a time to “count our blessings,” to reflect on the year that has past, and to make changes and commitments to make next year better.
This year at Beth El, we are introducing several new High Holy Day offerings. Rabbi Goldberg will be leading a new Kavanna service. There will be special learning opportunities for tweens and their parents. And for the first time in recent memory, teens will be empowered to lead their own discussion groups and services.
We are excited to be joined this year by Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald, our Fiterman B’nai Mitzvah Program and Ritual Director. On the holidays, she will work with youth of all ages and their parents and teach one of our adult learning classes.
We are particularly grateful that Cantor Emerita Audrey Abrams will once again lead us in the main sanctuary and in several off-the-bimah experiences.
You can find the full schedule of services and learning opportunities on our High Holy Day Hub or by calling the office for a printed copy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff if you have any questions.
As we welcome you to Beth El for the High Holy Days, we pray in the words of Achot Ketana:
“May this year’s curses end… and a year of blessings begin!”
תִּכְלֶה שָׁנָה וְקִלְלוֹתֶיהָ… תָּחֵל שָׁנָה וּבִרְכוֹתֶיהָ
L’Shana Tova,
Rabbi Alexander Davis, Rabbi Matt Goldberg, Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald, Cantor Emerita Audrey Abrams
HIGH HOLY DAY CHILDCARE
We are so excited to welcome your children back to Beth El as we celebrate the High Holy Days together! In addition to Young Family Programing, we will also have drop off childcare available for children ages 2 years – 4th grade on Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur.
LULAVIM & ETROGIM FROM ISRAEL
Don’t forget to order your lulavim & etrogim for Sukkot!
We are pleased to offer premium sets of Lulavim & Etrogim for $65. To ensure timely delivery for Sukkot, all orders must be placed by Friday, September 20.
This year we are partnering with the Chessed Etrog Project to purchase our sets of Lulavim & Etrogim! By ordering a set, you will beautify the mitzvah of the Etrog AND contribute to a worthy cause. Join us in supporting this meaningful project.
All profits go towards the Gaza Periphery farmers who have been severely impacted by the events of this past year. You can learn more about this partnership HERE