High Holy Days 2020 Schedule
ZOOMIM NORA’IM: High Holy Days at HBT
Creating Holy Community across the Distances
To be respectful of our members’ health and safety and attentive to our ongoing desire for human closeness, we will use Zoom for most services and programming for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. In between the events, which will include stories for children, a dash of tradition and a pinch of creativity, we will pause in the “Lobby” to connect with one another. Look for Lobby Time as your opportunity to wish each other Shanah Tovah and send virtual hugs!
In our unique Reconstructionist services, Rabbi Barbara Penzner serves as cantor as well as rabbi, leading us in uplifting song and in words of inspiration and comfort. Wherever you are, you will be invited to participate online, to sing loudly, join discussions, dip apples and honey, and bring holiness into your home. See the array of programs—including some outdoor gatherings—below.
Remember to register to get the zoom links for main services. Children’s Programing and some special events require extra registrations to get links or attend in person, details are in each event description.
We look forward to bringing you close and shine a bright light on our world for the year 5781.
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement
One day a year we devote to reviewing our lives: where we have been, where we are, and charting a course for where we want to go. In our congregation we follow the tradition to dress entirely in white during Yom Kippur. Many refrain from wearing leather, especially leather shoes. In body and mind we seek ways to return to our Source and be renewed. Be sure to join us for the closing of Yom Kippur for Neilah and the final Shofar blasts.
View and download a simplified Yom Kippur Schedule (PDF).
Yom Kippur Services & Event Details
Joining together to hear the final Shofar blast
6:45 PM - 7:15 PM
Neilah prayers. As darkness descends, everyone is invited to park in the parking lot and hear the Rabbi chant the closing prayers in your cars. The service will also be available on Zoom.
7:15 PM
Havdalah and final shofar blast. The rabbi will come to the parking lot to greet everyone (masks please) and to sound the final shofar blast.
Following the mincha service, HBT members are invited to a special Yom Kippur vigil for Black Lives, in solidarity with our friends at the weekly vigil at the Holy Name Rotary.
Brings signs and stand socially distant along the sidewalk in front of the temple.
If you plan to attend the parking Lot Neilah at 6:45, please register here [link to the word here] and park your car in designated spaces in the back when you arrive for the vigil.
4:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Yizkor -We remember them: a litany of losses. Susan Kalish will be speaking during the Yizkor service, sharing experiences as a front-line care provider in the COVID pandemic. PDF of the Book of Remembrance.
4:50 pm - 5 pm
Lobby Time
5 pm- 5:45 pm
Mincha, Can peace and truth live together? The Challenge of Jonah
5:45 pm - 6:45 pm
Break—no Zoom
Family and children’s break-fasts
Geared toward families with children in 3rd-10th grades; all are welcome.
Stories help us understand ourselves and others. On this day of introspection, join us for some family-friendly stories to feed your soul.
Chanting and Meditation:
Experience moments of mindfulness through guided meditation, silence, and chanting. You will be muted, so you will be able to sing on your own: simple melodies and words that are designed to deepen the day’s contemplation and reflection. There will be a short time for sharing, which will be completely optional.
How to participate:
Register in advance
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link.
Join Christer Larsson for a Yom Kippur virtual guided meditation/visualization where we together bring forth our inner resourcefulness, our inner wisdom and power, and our deep and natural connectedness with each other. The guiding light for this meditation is: Playfulness.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 28, 2020 02:35 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
How to participate:
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting
The world needs healing right now, and many of us feel called to the cause. As we grapple with our own fears and personal exhaustion, how do we continue to repair the world? We won’t promise you answers in 45 minutes, but we’ll offer a supportive space for reflection and discussion.
https://brandeis.zoom.us/j/8191352170
Meeting ID: 819 135 2170
+16465588656,8191352170# or +13017158592,8191352170#
Or Telephone:
Dial:
+1 646 558 8656 (US Toll)
International numbers available: https://brandeis.zoom.us/u/kAjs564a
Further enhance your Yom Kippur experience with an easy chair or standing yoga session to clear the mind and relax the body, We will incorporate breath work and gentle poses to reinvigorate us, using our bodies to express the High Holiday themes of awareness and self exploration. No yoga experience, special clothing or props are needed.
Laurie is a certified yoga instructor, with experience in running chair yoga and relaxation practices.
10:45 - 11
Lobby Time
11 - 11:10
Rabbi’s story
11:10 - 12:10
Yom Kippur melodies and Torah service
Rich Moche will open by leading Adon Haselichot, followed by Avinu Malkeinu.
After the Torah reading, Debi Adams will chant the haftarah from Isaiah.
12:10 - 12:20
Victor Bradley is giving the Personal Offering.
12:20 - 12:30
Lobby Time
12:30 - 1:30
Musaf service-Finding Meaning in Every Day
Wake Up! How Do We Sustain Hope? What is Your Path?
The High Holidays always offers these questions – even more so this year with the multiple pandemics, which have highlighted living with uncertainty and many dilemmas around decision-making and community issues. This teen discussion, open to 7th- 12th graders (approximately 13-18 years old), will help us reconnect with each other, discuss themes that are important to you, and learn. Facilitated by Tracy Rich, HBT’s Teen Coordinator. You are invited to arrive with an item with you that represents hope to you – be creative!).
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUocumqrzIuGNz6HHL6KPIpR8inqBJlWG7j
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
9:50 am - 10 am
Lobby Time with a special Zoom room for kids
10 am - 10:45 am
Family service that is geared toward families with 2nd-6th graders, all are welcome. Using Kol HaNo’ar, the Voice of Children prayerbook, Rabbi Barbara will lead an interactive exploration of the themes and meaning of Yom Kippur.
Children are invited to The Rabbi’s story from 11 AM - 11:10 AM.
To prepare and awaken yourself from head to toe for a meaningful day of contemplation, experience a short session of "Gaga/people": the movement language developed by Ohad Naharin, choreographer and former artistic director of the Israeli-based Batsheva Dance Company. Gaga/people offers a framework for everyone to connect to their bodies and imaginations, experience a range of physical sensations, exercise agility and strength, and enjoy a range of physical movement.
This 20 minute session is adapted for Yom Kippur and led by Ana Harmon, Tel Aviv-based, arts advocate and dancer, HBT member since childhood.
How to participate;
Register in advance
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
5:45 PM - 6 PM
Lobby Time
6 PM - 7:45 PM
Kol Nidre and Evening Service
Finding Hope in the Possibility of Change
Susannah Sirkin will offer reflections while the Rabbi chants the evening service.
Lev Mamuya will play Kol Nidre on the cello
Jocelyn Gordon will give the President’s Speech
The Rabbi will offer the Kol Nidre sermon
Rosh Hashanah: Welcoming the New Year
Our services offer food for the heart and mind, filled with music and based on traditional Hebrew prayers with poetic translations. We use the innovative Renew Our Days Machzor. Pick up your book at the temple or download a Machzor pdf.
Easy to read Rosh Hashanah High Holy Day SchedulE (PDF)
Friday, September 18, Erev Rosh Hashanah
Rabbi Penzner will lead us from the sanctuary and Rich Moche will sing the traditional Sephardi piyyut (hymn) to end the year of curses and begin the year with blessings.
How to Participate: For High Holy Day Services, register to get your customized zoom links. On Friday morning, Sept. 18, links will be sent to all registrants.
This virtual seder is especially for families, for anyone looking for a new ritual, or if you already enjoy the Rosh Hashanah seder!
How to participate
Register in advance for this Rosh Hashanah Seder:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the seder.
Rosh Hashanah marks the birthday of the world and it's time to celebrate! Join Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman for movement, singing, a story and even the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn)! Invite your friends and family as we welcome in the Jewish New Year together. Feel free to bring along your shofar if you have one, and your own apples and honey to eat at the end of the program. Happy New Year, Shana Tova!
Preregistration required to receive the private Zoom link. For more information or questions, please contact pjlibrary@jccgb.org.
How to Participate: Register with JCC for link.
Saturday, September 19, First Day of Rosh Hashanah
10:45 AM - 11 AM
Lobby time
11 AM - 11:15 AM
Rabbi’s Story
11:15 AM - Noon
Torah reading
Noon - 12:15 PM
Rabbi’s Sermon, “Where are You?”
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Lobby Time
12:30 PM- 1:15 PM
Musaf praying, singing, and reflection, An interactive service expressing our yearning for the next year to be better
For teens ages 13 to 18
Wake Up! Who Are You Called to Be? The High Holidays always offers these questions – even more so this year with the pandemic, which has highlighted living with uncertainty and many dilemmas around decision-making and community issues. This teen discussion will help us reconnect with each other, discuss themes that are important to you, and learn. Registration link below – also, you are invited to arrive with an item with you that represents something new you are doing this year – be creative!
How to participate
Register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about joining the meeting.
Celebrate the World’s Birthday! using Kol Hano’ar, the Voice of Children prayerbook Rabbi Barbara will lead an interactive service and exploration of our hopes for the New Year. Aimed at families with 2nd-6th graders. All are welcome to come, sing and dance!
9:50 AM - 10 AM
Lobby time with a special Zoom room for kids.
10 AM - 10:45 AM
Family Service with Rabbi Barbara
How to participate
Register After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom link
Laurie is a certified yoga instructor who has been offering yoga for everyone on Yom Kippur afternoon at HBT for many years. She will bring a Jewish focus to morning movement, awakening us to the New Year.
How to participate
Register in advance for morning yoga with Laurie.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the zoom link.
Sunday, September 20, Second Day of Rosh Hashanah
Tashlich, Ritual Casting-off of Sins
All ages
shofar sounding at 5:00, 5:15, and 5:30
Meet at the west end of the parking lot, near the back of the 3-story red brick building..
At these small, in-person gatherings, we will hear the call of the shofar, and symbolically wash away our faults and transgressions into the water. We suggest bringing pebbles, bark chips, or birdseed, which are better for the environment than the traditional bread crumbs!
Rabbi Barbara will lead and Claudia Harris will sound the shofar.
Tashlich, Ritual Casting-off of Sins
shofar sounding at 4:00, 4:15, and 4:30
Meet on the path by the boat launch. Shofar will be sounded from up the hill.
At these small, in-person gatherings, we will hear the call of the shofar, and symbolically wash away our faults and transgressions into the water. We suggest bringing pebbles, bark chips, or birdseed, which are better for the environment than the traditional bread crumbs!
Rabbi Barbara will lead and Claudia Harris will sound the shofar.
10 AM- 11:40 AM
Morning service, From the Shacharit (morning prayers) for Rosh Hashanah, including Avinu Malkeinu, through the Torah and haftarah readings.
11:40 AM- Noon
Shofar
Noon - 12:15 PM
Lobby Time
12:15 PM- 1:15 PM
Musaf -Including sounding the shofar and the annual crowd-sourced acrostic prayer for the New Year.