We welcome you to join us in celebrating and observing the special Holy days of the Jewish New Year. We offer a variety of services to meet the spiritual needs of our diverse community.
HIGH HOLY DAYS 5785
If you are interested in purchasing the links for all streaming HHD service, please send an email to tmplisrael@aol.com or call 718-727-2231
Sat Sept 28 at 7pm Sehlichot
Wed, Oct 2 at 8pm Erev Rosh HaShanah Serivces (tickets required)
Thu, Oct 3 at 10am Rosh HaShanah Service followed by Tashlich (tickets required)
Fri, Oct 4 at 10:30am 2nd day Rosh HaShanah Learning Service
Fri, Oct 11 at 8pm Kol Nidre (tickets required)
Sat, Oct 12 at 10am Yom Kippur Morning Service (tickets required)
1:30pm Children’s Service _(open to public)
2:45pm Study Session
4:00pm Yom Kipppr Afternoon Service (tickets required)
5:30pm Yizkor/Neilah (open to public)
Wed, Oct 16 7:30pm Erev Sukkot Festival & Shabbat Service
Thu, Oct 17 10:30am Sukkot Morning Service (in house)
Sat, Oct 19 5:30pm Pizza in the Hut (paid rsvp required)
6:30pm Havdalah Service
7:00pm Sipping in the Sukkah (BYOB)
Wed, Oct 23 at 6:30pm Erev Simchat Torah, (Mandatory attendance for all T.I. Students) Ice Cream Oneg
Thu Oct 24 at10:30am Simchat Torah (Yizkor) followed by Bring a dairy dish to share luncheon.
Special note on Yom Kippur Children’s Service, free streaming for all, click here
Selichot is a special evening service that takes place on the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. It is the time to begin our spiritual journey through the High Holy Days and to prepare us for the coming period of introspection and forgiveness. We begin with a light repast, an educational program, Havdalah Service and the Selichot Service. This service is open to member and non members. Join us Sat, Sept 9 starting at 7pm.
Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, observed on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It marks the beginning of a ten day period of prayer, self examination and repentance known as the Days of Awe or High Holy Days.
The Blowing of the Shofar is commanded in the Torah: “sound the shofar at the new moon.” The voice of the shofar awakens us to turn towards God and towards one another with acts of teshuva (return and repentance.) The words we use in the Synagogue during the Shofar Blowing ceremony describe the tones produced with this horn: Tekia-blowing, long; Terua-shouting, short; Shevarim-staccato.
Tashlich is another special tradition at Temple Israel. It happens immediately following the morning service. In a service called Tashlich, the congregation walks outside and symbolically casts away our sins into the stream on our property.
Following the service is a Kiddush of wine and honey cake to help usher in a sweet New Year.
The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur is considered to be the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The fast enables us to put aside our physical desires and concentrate on our spiritual needs through prayer, repentance and self improvement.
The Days of Awe The periode from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur is known as the Days of Awe or the Ten Days of Repentance. This is a time for action – when Jews seek out friendds and family and personally ask for their forgiveness. On Yom Kippur we ask forgiveness for promises broken to God and we are taught that we can only receive this if we have also asked forgiveness for broken promises made to other people.
Kol Nidre This is a sacred and widely observed moment in the Jewish Community. All of the Torah Scrolls are removed from the Ark as the evocative melody of Kol Nidre (“All Vows”) rings out.
The Morning Service focuses on atonement for the sins of the year and that we are inscribed in “The Book of Life.”
Our Special Children’s Service (Open to the entire community – no ticket required for this service). We have an easy to read prayer book just for children. This service, in words, pictures and song, highlights the themes of the holiday: repentance, forgiveness and hope for the New Year. Our Junior Choir makes this service lively and beautiful.
Discussion Group is an opportunity to have a relaxed, roundtable discussion covering a variety of subjects raised by our congregants.
The Afternoon Service recounts the story of Jonah and the people of Ninevah, themes of personal responsibility and repentance.
The Yizkor and Neilah Service Open to the entire community, no ticket required for this service. At Temple Israel, the Yizkor service remembers not only parents, but all friends and relatives who are no longer with us. Neilah describes the “closing of the heavenly gates” and that Jews should return to God before the gates are shut. The service concludes with the blowering of the Shofar.
The Break the Fast at Temple Israel is a community event, an Oneg with juice, challah and gefilte fish so that we can “break the fast” together.
L’SHANA TOVA, OUR BEAUTIFUL CARD FOR 5778 DESIGNED AND PAINTED BY OUR TALENTED IN HOUSE ARTIST, PHYLLIS.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congregational Customs and Considerations for the High Holy Days.
As the High Holy Days approach, we would like you to be aware of how our ushers will be monitoring movement in and out of the sanctuary during services to maintain an atmosphere of prayer and worship
As we do throughout the year, ushers will ask that congregants do not enter or leave the sanctuary when the congregation is standing, a silent meditation is in progress, or Rabbi is delivering his sermon.
And while we do not normally do this the rest of the year, due to the large attendance and full pews, at these services we ask that you refrain from movement in or out while the Cantor and/or choir are singing, so as not to interrupt your fellow congregants’ appreciation of the musical pieces.
You are also reminded that Jewish tradition also calls on worshippers not to turn their back to the Ark when it is open, or while a Torah scroll is open (during the actual reading). Ushers are instructed not to allow entry during these times, as well as holding those wishing to exit at the doors as well. Of course, exceptions are made for those unable to stand comfortably, or who have an urgent need to leave.
If you have a child with you, and he or she becomes restless or unhappy, we ask that if you cannot comfort them quickly, that you take the child outside for a few minutes until they are ready to quiet down again. Ushers will be happy to assist you if you need help with diaper bags, carriages, etc. Parents are also reminded that ushers do not monitor children who leave the services without supervision. Their safety remains your responsibility. Youngsters will not be permitted to remain in the lobby area if they become noisy, since that disturbs those seated near the doors.
Finally, please note that during services, congregants are requested to stay off the patio area. Movement in this area is distracting to those seated near the windows.
We hope that this gives you a better insight into the ushers’ role in maintaining an undisturbed worship experience for our congregants.
The Ritual Committee wishes everyone a healthy and happy New Year.
Linda Brill and Jeff Ganz, Co-Chairs, Ritual Committee.
Members of the congregation will automatically receive their High Holy Day tickets for each adult member of your household and dependent children over the age of 18 (Children 17 years old and under do not require a ticket). These tickets are included in your membership dues and there’s no additional charge. Members are also welcomed to purchase additional tickets for other relatives and guests at a discount rate.
If you are not a member of our congregation and not yet ready to make that committment, we are pleased to offer two different ways to join us. First, purchase High Holy Day tickets and join the congregation by October 25, 2018, we will apply the ticket costs toward your first year’s membership dues!
Please contact our Membership Director for details at 718.727.2231.
You can also join us for our complimentary alternative Children’s Yom Kippur Service and Yizkor/Neilah service.
We look forward to sharing a wonderful High Holy Days together
