High Holy Day Events

6:00 - 7:00 pm  We greet 5780 on the eve of New Year together with a brief service of singing, inspirational messages, and the sweet taste of apples and honey. In Fellowship Hall.

 

9:30 am - 12:30 pm The first day of Rosh Hashanah begins with a morning service of song, prayer, torah and discussion led by Rabbi Liz along with members of the community. A highlight again this year will be members’ reflections on the three holy day themes Malhuyot/ sovereignty, Zihronot/ memory, and Shofarot/ calling, and the voices of our Instant Choir. There will be Machaneh/camp-inspired activities for school-age children, babysitting for toddlers, shofar, and our sumptuous pot-luck luncheon (sign-up below). In the Sanctuary. Childcare will be available from 9:30-12:30.

 

Youth Programming: Youth will join the community in the Sanctuary to start the morning then join our educator in Room 5 for fun and engaging Rosh Hashanah-related activities.

 

6:00 - 6:15 pm  Join in our havurah-style Tashlikh, the ritual casting off of the crumbs of our wrongdoings into the moving waters, down by the riverside (or, in our case, the canal). On the Rideau Canal Western Pathway, just south of the Pretoria Bridge. (Click her for Google Map location.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1           ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2
9:30 am - 11:30 pm  On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Liz leads an adult text study program that digs in deep to the themes of the season, using the Reconstructionist approach of examining texts through the civilizations. In Room 5.

 

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm  The evening of Yom Kippur begins with the lighting of Memorial candles (come early if you would like to light one) followed by the haunting melody of Kol Nidre. Some of us garbed in white garments and tallitot/prayer shawls, while (only) those who are able begin their fast from life-sustaining food and drink. In the Sanctuary. (Please note that we begin Kol Nidre service promptly with the instrumental rendition.) Childcare will be available from 5:45-8:30.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9        YOM KIPPUR

 

9:30 am - 1:30 pm The morning of Yom Kippur sustains our engagement with the themes of individual and communal repentance and commitments through prayer, song, chant, the reading of Torah, and the deep bowing of the Grand Aleynu. In the Sanctuary. Childcare will be available from 9:30-1:30.

 

YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON/EVENING
4:45 pm - 7:15 pm  We reconvene for the afternoon Minhah service, with the story of Jonah along with our alternative Torah reading. Our participatory Avodah component features a member’s reflection on a challenging issue or concept in our tradition, with the opportunity to respond. The Yizkor service follows at around 6:00 pm, as we honour the memories of our dear departed. Finally Neilah beckons us, through song and silence, before the open ark or at our seats, towards the final great blast of the shofar, and the conclusion of our full day with havdallah. In the Sanctuary. We share a communal break-fast meal immediately following in Fellowship Hall. Childcare available from 4:30-7:15.

Shabbat Sukkot - Saturday morning, October 19
Song, prayer and rituals in the Sukkah for all ages. In the yard outside room 5.

Simchat Torah celebration – Sunday evening, October 20
A joyous celebration of the Torah, including music, dancing and the dramatic unrolling of the entire scroll. In Fellowship Hall.