High Holy Days with Kehillat Lev Shalem
We invite you to join us in our beautiful sanctuary in Woodstock, NY, for High Holy Day services. Joining Rabbi Karen Levine and Cantor Raechel Rosen this year will be Rabbi Emeritus Jonathan Kligler and, on First Day Rosh Hashanah, Kohenet Renee Finklestein.
Admission to all services is included with synagogue membership. If you are new to our community we invite you join as a FRIEND OF THE WJC. One of the benefits of “Friends” membership is eligibility to register for the High Holy Day services that are open to members only (Erev RH, First Day RH, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur morning services). Note that our space is very limited and so there will be a recommended donation for services this year. If this is a hardship for you, please contact Tara, our administrator. When you join as a Friend you will receive the High Holy Day services registration form in the confirmation email.
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE WJC
Of course, we hope that you will consider joining as a full member.
REGISTER HERE TO JOIN US ONLINE
Online services
We are delighted to welcome our members and extended community to join all of our sanctuary services via Zoom. PLEASE REGISTER HERE to receive the Zoom access link.
REGISTER HERE TO JOIN US ON THE SECOND DAY OF ROSH HASHANAH
Second Day Rosh Hashanah
All Second Day Rosh Hashanah services are free and open for non-members to attend in person. As we did last year, we have two service options: a traditional service in the sanctuary with Rabbi Karen Levine and Rabbi Emeritus Jonathan Kligler, and a child-friendly Chant Walk through WJC’s Peace Trail with Cantor Raechel Rosen. The two groups will join together to hear the shofar. Registration is required for security reasons — all attendees will need a parking pass to enter our grounds. PLEASE REGISTER HERE to attend second day services.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & PROGRAMS
Selikhot Service
Saturday, September 13, 10:30pm (IN PERSON ONLY)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine & Cantor Raechel Rosen
We gather for this annual opportunity to prepare ourselves for the new year with a contemplative, musical, and deeply personal service. We will conclude by blowing the shofar at midnight, the time when, according to tradition, the heavens are most open to our prayers. All are welcome! No pre-registration required.
Rosh Hashanah
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22, 7pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine & Cantor Raechel Rosen, with a talk by Rabbi Emeritus Jonathan Kligler
We open our portal of Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, by opening ourselves to the process of rebirth. We chant the melodies and prayers that mark this sacred time.
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Tuesday, September 23, 10am ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine, Cantor Raechel Rosen, & Kohenet Renee Finklestein
We will sing and pray together with classic melodies and contemporary song, joined by an ensemble of some of the area’s finest musicians. Our service includes inspiring poetry and a Torah reading focused on the birth of Isaac and the expulsion of Hagar, concluding with the customary blowing of the shofar. Then join us after services for a festive, holiday lunch!
Tashlikh
Tuesday, September 23, 3:30pm (IN PERSON ONLY)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine, Cantor Raechel Rosen, & Kohenet Renee Finklestein
The Jewish ritual of tashlikh invites us to symbolically cast away our regrets from the past year, purifying ourselves to begin the new year fresh. Our community marks this custom at the pond on our beautiful, wooded campus, with an informal and beautiful outdoor ritual that features song and poetry.
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Wednesday, September 24
This year we have two options, both of which are open to non-members: Our traditional service in the sanctuary at 10am, and an Outdoor ‘Chant Walk’ at 10:30am.
All Second Day Rosh Hashanah services are free and open for non-members to attend in person. Registration is required for security reasons — all attendees will need a parking pass to enter our grounds. PLEASE REGISTER HERE to attend second day services.
OPTION 1: Traditional service with Rabbi Karen Levine & Rabbi Emeritus Jonathan Kligler, 10am ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Our traditional service will be held in our beautiful sanctuary. We again include familiar prayers and melodies, contemporary song and the Torah reading, this time of the Akedah (The Binding of Isaac). The service will conclude with the blowing of the shofar.
OPTION 2: Outdoor, child-friendly ‘Chant Walk’ with Cantor Raechel Rosen at 10:30am (IN PERSON ONLY)
Join Cantor Raechel on a Chant Walk through WJC’s Peace Trail. We will sing excerpts of traditional High Holiday liturgy and melodies, exploring how the flow of the Rosh Hashanah prayer arc unfolds within our spirits and throughout the woods. With each step, we mindfully approach our 5786 selves, with the deeply rooted trees as our guides to teshuvah, to our returning.
We will meet at the trailhead off the driveway at 11am and walk in prayer for an hour and a half, joining with the rest of the community to hear the Shofar at 12:30pm. Wear comfortable shoes to walk on uneven ground. Coverage of legs and ankles is recommended. Bring water and a curious spirit. Children and families welcome!
Challah Baking Workshop
A WJC tradition! Join Diane Collelo as she once again offers her “annual turning of flour, yeast and honey into a bite of heaven workshop”! Sunday, September 28, 12:30pm. Pre-registration is imperative since Diane will be buying ingredients in advance. Register HERE!
Yom Kippur
Kol Nidrei
Wednesday, October 1, 7pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine and Cantor Raechel Rosen
The evening before Yom Kippur is called Kol Nidrei. It is named for the powerful prayer that begins the Yom Kippur evening service. This prayer focuses on promises made and promises yet-to-be-made and moves us to consider how our decisions at this season help shape the direction of our lives and our relationships. Our Kol Nidrei service will set a meaningful tone for the Yom Kippur prayer, and reflection, that we will share on this holiest of days.
Yom Kippur Day
Thursday, October 2, 10am ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine and Cantor Raechel Rosen.
This service will feature classical prayers and melodies as we engage in the work of communal and individual t’shuvah (returning) and will include the Yizkor (memorial) service.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Programs
Yom Kippur Afternoon 1st Program, 2:30pm, Teshuvah Circle with Cantor Raechel (IN PERSON ONLY) Meet outside (weather permitting)
Yom Kippur Afternoon 2nd Program, 3:30pm: Becoming the High Priest with Rabbi Ellen (IN PERSON ONLY). Meet in the sanctuary.
When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, the people came there to worship and witness the High Priest offer sacrifices of atonement for the ways in which they missed the mark.
Join Rabbi Ellen Triebwasser for chanting and reflection as we imagine ourselves in the role of the High Priest, reflecting on our lives, seeing where we might want to change, and receiving support as we move forward.
Yom Kippur Afternoon 3rd Program, 4:30pm: Exploring the Book of Jonah with Julie Makowski (IN PERSON ONLY). Meet in the library.
Ne’ilah
Thursday, October 2, 6pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Co-led by Rabbi Karen Levine and Cantor Raechel Rosen
The High Holy Days conclude with the uplifting service of Ne’ilah. During this service, when the gates of prayer are said to be “closing,” we move from the solemn spirit of Yom Kippur to the promise of renewal for the year ahead. This year we are excited to gather after services for a potluck community break fast! Please bring a dish (vegetarian/dairy/fish) to share!
Children’s Programming
Rosh Hashanah First Day- 11am
Yom Kippur Day- 11am
Family Service with Elissa Weitnzimmer
*All children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult*
The services will go for an hour, after which children will join us in the main sanctuary. If you are in need of a babysitter for the remainder of the services, reach out to admin@wjcshul.org
High Holy Day Food Drive
As has been our practice, the WJC will collect food at our Yom Kippur services to support Family of Woodstock, with bags handed out during Rosh Hashanah. For those in our community joining us remotely we ask that you donate cash or food directly to Family of Woodstock (https://www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/donate/) or any organization that provides food for those in need.
Especially needed are: peanut butter, jelly/jam, tuna, rice, flour, shampoo, snack food, cookies, coffee/tea, toilet paper, mayonnaise, laundry detergent, cereal, soup, sugar, toothpaste, veggies, baby food, disposable razors, mustard, tomato sauce, shelf stable milk, juice, cooking oil, feminine hygiene products, crackers, hot cocoa, and hand soap.
Looking for Some Wonderful Volunteers:
Every year, it takes a village of volunteers, lay-leaders, and staff to make High Holy Days happen. This year is no different! There are several ways that you can be helpful and every hand and heart makes a difference! To offer your help, please sign up: HERE
Sukkot Celebrations
October 6 – October 15
*Everyone is welcome to bring a meal to enjoy in our sukkah throughout the holiday
Erev Sukkot multi-generation, potluck dinner in the Sukkah
Monday, October 6, 6pm (In person only). Come early to help decorate!
Festival and Shabbat service with potluck lunch in the Sukkah
Tuesday, October 7, 10am ET (In person and online)
Yizkor Service
Tuesday, October 14, 10am ET (In person and online)
Simchat Torah with Klezmer Berl’s Hotsie Totsie Orkestra
Tuesday, October 14, 6pm ET (In person and online)