High Holy Days 5787
Courage and Connection
Registration Required. In person and in the High Holy Day Zoom Room
Non-member tickets will be available soon.
9:00 am: Family Service
Register here
Free and open to families with young children. On site at Ner Shalom’s outdoor courtyard.
Led by Rabbi Irwin and friends, we explore Yom Kippur themes in kid-friendly ways, using song, story, and activity. Art and activities will follow.
For information on our Nitzanim Family Learning Program, click here.
9:00 am: Morning Meditation
Registration for Yom Kippur morning required. Not available on Zoom.
Led by Basha Hirschfeld.
With meditation we become familiar with ourselves, our thoughts and habitual patterns; and from that place of understanding we can connect with our world. By making friends with ourselves, we see our commonality with others and from that place compassion is born. Basha will explain and guide us in the practice of Meditation as a way to enter into the day of self-reflection and T'shuvah (returning to ourselves.)
10:15am: Yom Kippur Morning Service
Registration Required. In person and in the High Holy Day Zoom Room.
We move deeper into our practice of teshuvah, finding the path back to our hearts, repairing our relationships with self, others, and Earth. We look what these connections require of us at this moment of the world.
The service will include beautiful music, traditional and familiar Yom Kippur prayers, and a lively, interactive Torah reading.
10:15 am: Teen Circle
Ner Shalom High Schoolers gather for exploration and discussion of connection. Facilitated by Brooke Radloff and Tim Talbott.
2:30 pm: The Book of Jonah
Why is the story of Jonah traditionally told on Yom Kippur? Basha Hirschfeld will offer a fresh look at the story and how it can teach us what NOT to do - at the same time that we can see how we are like him - complaining to G-d "why me?" " I don't wanna" "leave me alone." We need to see how we are like him and then go further and feel our connection to humanity as well as to G-d's mercy and forgiveness. In person only.
3:30 pm: Justice Service
Led by Rita Rowan, Jill Rose, and Jane Lawhon. In person and on Zoom.
We gather to sit in compassion and solidarity with those who are suffering in the world and those whose lives and safety have been jeopardized by the current political climate. Expect song, prayer, and silence, as we feel in deeply and recommit to our work in the world.
4:15 pm: Musical Healing Service
Led by Suzanne Shanbaum, Sheridan Gold, and Lia Goldman Miller.
This is a space for healing through music. We invite you to sit, lie down, sing, or simply breathe and receive, letting the music wash over you.
5:00 pm: Yizkor Service
Registration Required. In person and in the High Holy Day Zoom Room.
Led by Gesher Calmenson and Doron Hovav.
Love opens the door to grief. Both take courage. Death doesn’t end this connection. In this Yizkor service we will remember, mourn, and have the opportunity to speak what remains to be said.
If you wish your loved ones' names to be included in our annual Yizkor list, be sure to select the Yizkor item when you register and offer us the names you want included in this year’s ritual.
6:15 pm: Neilah Service
Registration Required. In person and in the High Holy Day Zoom Room.
The climax of Yom Kippur, the Neilah service is our last communal opportunity to make amends, to reach new resolve, to write our intentions in the Book of Life. What courage do we emerge with? What new covenant do we make?
The service. led by Reb Irwin and our Musical Team, is followed at 7:00 PM by a short havdalah in the courtyard and a vegetarian/kosher fish break-the-fast potluck.
7:15 pm: Havdalah and Break-the-Fast
After Neilah, we make havdalah together. Then, after motzi, we will enjoy a potluck break-the-fast under the stars or in the sanctuary, whatever your preference. (Potluck offerings must be vegetarian / kosher fish only, and ready to serve, i.e. pre-cut.)