High Holiday Schedule 5781

September 10, 2020

Dear Bnai Israel Congregation Family,

This letter is intended to accompany and offer explanation of the High Holiday Calendar since it looks a little different this year.

It is no secret that this will be a High Holiday season like no other. Instead of having an annual congregational homecoming, we will be streaming services to our living rooms. Streaming is different than Zoom. On Zoom you can see the individual boxes of everyone attending services. Streaming looks like you have a front row seat to services. You will see the live action from the Bimah as well as the many prerecorded honors being played in real time. While I will miss seeing everyone's faces, we won't have to worry about what has become the 11th plague of the Jewish people, getting people to mute and unmute! Most importantly, it will make it easier for many of you to see and hear the action. 

Some of us will have close family and friends gathered with us, and many others will be by themselves. Still, we have worked hard to make the holidays meaningful, adding moments of communal connection. Please pay attention to the instructions in the calendar for how to fully participate as a community from home.

*Please join us for Selichot, a musical kick off to the holidays, this Saturday night at 8:00 pm. Zoom link to be sent in the newsletter. 

*On Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 18, I will end services with the blessings for apples and honey. Please join me in that delicious treat to toast a sweet new year.

*Kol Nidre will begin with lighting candles. Have your candles ready to go so we can light as a shul family.

*Yom Kippur morning service has two breaks for two reasons. 1) Streaming fatigue sets in quickly, especially when many will be fasting, so this will be a chance to rest one's eyes from the screen. 2) For those who did not feel comfortable or were not able to come to the synagogue for private time at the ark, this will be your opportunity to do so from home. Use this space to say your prayers and set intentions for this new year.

*When the Yom Kippur fast ends at 7:36 PM, please have your Break Fast Bags sponsored by Men's Club and Sisterhood ready so we can end the High Holidays as we began, with a sweet treat.

*There will be two One Room Shul House services for kids, teens, and their adults that require an RSVP as these will be over Zoom. Any community member or guest is welcome to join these services. On Rosh Hashanah we will be having a second day Rosh Hashanah Seder. For Yom Kippur, the service will take place a few hours before Kol Nidre as a warm up to the holiday.

*Please note that Shofar will only be sounded on Rosh Hashanah Day 2 since the Shofar is not sounded on Shabbat.

*Finally, there are two options for Tashlich (the symbolic casting away of sins) this year, with varying times and places for ease of participation. These will be short, musical services that last approximately 10 minutes.

While this holiday season will be like no other, it is my prayer that this season will be even more meaningful, as we think of innovative ways to break down the walls of physical distance and bring the warmth and light of the holidays into our homes.

May we all have a Shana Tova u'Metukah, a Sweet New Year! 

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Chaya Bender

B'nai Israel Congregation

https://bnaiisraelilm.shulcloud.com/

C. 910-547-7595