Today is April 19, 2024 /
Today is April 19, 2024 /
Shabbat Candlelighting This Week: 7:22pm | Shabbat Ends: 8:24pm
Dear WJC Family:
Westchester Jewish Center offers a variety of High Holiday services to meet the spiritual needs of everyone in our wonderfully diverse community. We encourage each person to craft the experience that works for YOU–whether that means spending time in one service or sampling the variety of service options. We will offer two traditional High Holiday services, family services for adults with their young children, services for religious school children, and teen services. The following is a brief summary of the High Holiday services WJC will offer this year. Additional details can be found in the enclosed registration materials. Please select the service(s) that you feel is (are) most appropriate for you and your family and, as always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you require additional information or have any questions.
HIGH HOLIDAYS SERMONS to be delivered by Rabbi Arnowitz in both the Main Sanctuary and Study Services.
ROSH HASHANAH SERMON: WALKING IN GOD’S WAYS TOGETHER
Rabbi Arnowitz will share his vision of the synagogue community, including an exploration of halacha (Jewish law and customs), and how it can support a purposeful life and a connected congregation.
YOM KIPPUR SERMON PAPA JERRY’S KIPPAH: HEIRLOOMS IN ACTION
This sermon will be a personal and communal journey through the objects, stories, and people we hold dear and how these treasures of our past can help us shape our future. This intimate talk will not only provide a portrait of the personal building blocks of Rabbi Arnowitz’s faith but will also offer tools to help us all process our “heirlooms” and translate them into more meaningful lives. Please note that Rabbi Segelman will read his “Letter” at the beginning of the Neilah service and not at Yizkor.
MAIN SANCTUARY SERVICE will be led by our outstanding clergy including Rabbi Arnowitz (First Day Rosh Hashanah), Rabbi Segelman (Second Day Rosh Hashanah), and Cantor Goldberg. “The focus on the traditional liturgy, the mix of time-honored and new melodies, and the hugs and handshakes from everyone make the days special, allowing each person to find something meaningful.”
THE STUDY SERVICE features significant lay participation, learning, and song. This congregant organized service will be led by Rabbi Segelman (First Day Rosh Hashanah), Rabbi Arnowitz (Second Day Rosh Hashanah), and Seth Schafler and will take place in the chapel. There will be limited seating for a more intimate feel and the opportunity for significant study with Rabbi Segelman. The theme of this year’s Study Service is Kehilla (Community). In light of this theme, we are adding “open seating” to allow congregants to participate in this vibrant community.
FAMILY SERVICES will be offered on the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur morning. The Family Services are intended to provide families with elementary school-aged children (and those who will soon be entering) the opportunity to sing and pray together in a more relaxed, family-oriented setting. We welcome Eran Sabo, whose combination of musical talent and love for the High Holiday liturgy is infectious! Joining Eran will be our own Ann Pardes, who will be bringing her unique creativity and energy to the service.
Registration for services, programs, and seating is now open. Please fill out and submit the enclosed High Holiday Ticket and Family and Children’s Program Sign-up Forms. We encourage early registration so that your requests can be handled efficiently, including any special accommodations. It is critically important to our planning that you submit your information and special requests by the August 19 deadline. Prayer Book /Donations are due on September 23. Please note that while we will do our utmost to provide you with your requested seating arrangements, we may not be able to fulfill all requests.
Below are the forms with information pertaining to:
2. Family, Children & Teen Programs
3. Special Donations: Yizkor (Memorial) Booklet, Greetings, Donations
4. Ushering
• Selichot services: Join us for an inspiring and music-filled beginning to the High Holiday season on Saturday evening, September 21. More information will be communicated during the summer.
• Save the Date: On Wednesday evening, September 25, we’ll gather as a community to prepare for the High Holidays. Singing old favorites will get us in the mood for the holidays, and learning new material will inspire us.
• We are again posting recordings of High Holiday melodies online. Go to tinyurl.com/wjcmusic. You’ll find three playlists there: “High Holiday Must-Know,” “High Holiday Great to Know” and “High Holiday Good to Know.” These lists will be updated throughout the summer with more prayer music to learn. This is ideal for people who want to learn music independently, brush up on what they know or learn even more.
• Children’s Programs and Teen Programs are specially designed for each age group. They are offered on September 30, October 1 and October 9. These programs begin after the Family Service concludes. Teen Services include a Teen Kol Nidre Program on Tuesday evening, October 8.
• Open Seating: As is our custom, there will be open seating in the Main Sanctuary during the first part of the service (from 9am until the Torah service) and after 12:30pm on both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, as well as during Neilah at the end of Yom Kippur. Please note that there will be open seating for the entirety of the Study Service. For those who do not wish to purchase reserved seats, you may use this as an opportunity to experience the intimacy and creativity of a smaller, lay driven service.
• Registration is now open for services, programs and seating. Please fill out and submit the enclosed “High Holiday Ticket Request Form” and “High Holiday Family, Children’s & Teen Programs” sign-up form. We encourage early registration so that your requests can be handled efficiently, including any special accommodations. It is critically important to our planning that you submit your information and special requests by the due date. Please note, that while we will do our utmost to provide you with your requested seating arrangements, we may not be able to fulfill all requests.
Westchester Jewish Center welcomes your contribution to any of our listed funds.