High Holy Day Schedule
After many conversations and careful consideration of the many complex issues related to planning for High Holy Day services this year, the High Holy Day Committee, Security Committee, Board of Directors, and clergy all agree that the best location for our services this year is our sanctuary.
Due to space restrictions, in person attendance for High Holy Day services— except for 2nd day Rosh Hashanah — will be limited to members and their guests. Please join us online or scroll below for 2nd day Rosh Hashanah in person options.
Online services
We are delighted to welcome our members and extended community to join our sanctuary services via Zoom. Please register HERE to receive the Zoom access link. This will also help us ensure that our Zoom account has capacity for everyone and that whatever holy ground you are on, you feel connected. NOTE that we ARE NOT sharing prayer slides on Zoom this year. You can follow the service by downloading a copy of the makhzor.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Selichot Service – Saturday, September 28, 10:30pm ET
We gather (in person and online) 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.
Rosh Hashanah
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, October 2, 7pm ET
We open our portal of Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, by opening ourselves to the process of rebirth. Within our tent, we begin to chant the melodies and prayers that mark this sacred time.
Rosh Hashanah First Day – Thursday, October 3, 10am ET
We will sing and pray together with classic melodies and contemporary song. Our service includes inspiring poetry, a Torah reading focused on the birth of Isaac, and music from our choir and musicans.
Tashlich – Thursday, October 3, 1:30pm (approximately)
The Jewish ritual of tashlich invites us to symbolically cast away our transgressions from the past year. Our community marks this custom with an informal and beautiful outdoor ritual that features song and poetry. We will meet at the front of our building and walk to our pond.
Rosh Hashanah Second Day – Friday, October 4, Traditional service, 10am ET; Outdoor, family-friendly service, 11am.
This year we have two options, both of which are open to non-members.
Traditional service
Our traditional service, led by Rabbi Karen, 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.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE for traditional service.
Outdoor, family-friendly service
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 5785 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!
PLEASE REGISTER HERE for Chant Walk
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, October 6, 12:30pm. Pre-registration is imperative since Diane will be buying ingredients in advance: https://www.wjcshul.org/hightlighted-event/challah-baking-workshop/
The Ten Days
October 7 Commemoration, Sunday, October 6, 7pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
Rabbi Karen and Cantor Raechel will co-lead a contemplative gathering to sit with our grief and find openings for healing.
Yom Kippur
Kol Nidrei – Friday, October 11, 7pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
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 – Saturday, October 12, 10am ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
This service will feature classical prayers and melodies as we engage in the work of communal and individual t’shuva (repentance) and will include the Yizkor (memorial) service.
Yom Kippur Afternoon 1st Program, 2:30pm, Teshuvah Circle (IN PERSON ONLY) Meet in the library.
Yom Kippur Afternoon 2nd Program, 3:30pm: Becoming the High Priest (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 (IN PERSON ONLY). Meet in the library.
Ne’ilah – Saturday, October 12, 6pm ET (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)
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.
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 16 – October 24
*Everyone is welcome to bring a meal to enjoy in our sukkah throughout the holiday
Erev Sukkot multi-generation, potluck dinner in the Sukkah
Wednesday, October 16, 6pm (In person only). Come early to help decorate!
Festival and Shabbat service with potluck lunch in the Sukkah
Thursday, October 17, 10am ET (In person and online)
Yizkor Service
Thursday, October 24, 10am ET (In person and online)
Simchat Torah with Klezmer Berl’s Hotsie Totsie Orkestra
Thursday, October 24, 6pm ET (In person and online)