High Holy Day Schedule
Our High Holiday services for 5786 will take place within our sanctuary, upon the beautiful campus of the Woodstock Jewish Congregation grounds.
How to attend
Due to space restrictions, in-person attendance for High Holy Day services —except for 2nd day Rosh Hashanah and Ne’ilah — will be limited to members (included in membership dues), their guests (for an additional donation), and our newly inaugurated “Friends of the WJC” (for an additional donation). If you are not a member and would like to attend our High Holy Day services,
please consider joining….or become a Friend of the WJC HERE.
All are welcome to join us online for all of our services (REGISTER HERE FOR ZOOM LINK) or in person for 2nd day Rosh Hashanah and Ne’ilah.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & PROGRAMS
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
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND ONLINE
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 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.
If you are joining us online you may wish to read this guide:
CREATE A SANCTUARY SPACE IN YOUR HOME
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)