Join Us for the High Holidays
High Holiday Policy
- Our services are open to all. If you are not a member of our congregation, we encourage you to consider joining. Just contact the Temple office. If you are not ready to join us yet, please consider making a donation on our website. Your support is a mitzvah. We exist only with your support.
- Families with younger children are encouraged to attend Family Programs on Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Our family program and closing service (Ne’ilah) will be followed by a Break-the-Fast.
- Families with students in the religious school 6th grade and older are especially encouraged to attend all services and family programs. Younger students are welcome at all services considering their ability to respect the worship of the community.
Selichot
Tikkun Leil Selichot Service, Program, and Oneg is on Saturday, September 28, 7:00 P.M. Join us at Temple Emanu-El for this moving service during which we will change our regular, colorful Torah mantles to white, High Holiday mantles.
Cemetery Visit
Rabbi Marc Ekstrand and Hazzan Sherry Barnes will be at the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery #3 & #4 on Middle Rd. in Preston on Sunday, September 29, from 1:00 P.M to 1:30 P.M.
Feeding the Hungry During Tishri
On Yom Kippur we read prophetic words of Isaiah that remind us of the Divine imperative that food and water be available for all in our community. The harvest festival of Sukkot reminds us that many of us have abundant resources to share. Let us thank God for our abundance by sharing with those in need. The Gemma E. Moran United Way Food Center is in need of our help. Upon arriving at all services, please place your food donations in the bins in the foyer. The mitzvah will leave you with a good taste.
Wednesday, October 2
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service, 8:00 PM
Thursday, October 3
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service, 10:00 AM
Family Rosh Hashanah Tashlich where we symbolically cast our sins upon the water – 4:00 P.M. Meet at Hole in the Wall, 4 Baptist Lane in Niantic.
In previous years we created a more environmentally sound Tashlich practice. You are still welcome to bring breadcrumbs. However, we will provide small stones polished by the sea. We will gather in spiritual reflection on our past transgressions before using the water and the sea to orient us toward hope and action in the coming year. Our time will conclude with a community Shofar call – you are encouraged to bring your Shofar. Meet at Hole in the Wall, 4 Baptist Lane in Niantic.
Friday, October 4
Shabbat Shuvah, 6:30 PM
Friday, October 11
Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre Service, 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 12
Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10:00 AM
Yom Kippur Afternoon and Yizkor, 12:30 PM
Yom Kippur Discussion, 1:30 PM
Yom Kippur Afternoon, 5:00 PM, Nielah, Family Service, Havdalah
Break-the-fast beginning about 6:15 P.M.
Sukkah Buildng Party
For Sukkot the Board of Trustees and Brotherhood will need volunteers to put up and take down the Sukkah. Help build the Sukkah on Sunday, October 13, at 9:00 A.M. Our Sukkah is very large, so we need a lot of material for the roof (Schach, in Hebrew). Please bring materials for the Sukkah any time after Yom Kippur. Materials can be piled next to the permanent Sukkah framing that is on the east side of our parking lot. Things like ornamental grasses or cornstalks are ideal for the roof (schach).
Add this in???
Sukkot Service
Friday, ??? Erev Sukkot-Shabbat Service, 6:30 P.M. ???
Share Shabbat, Erev Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah & Consecration
Come sing and dance in this joyous celebration of Torah, the beating heart of the Jewish people, at 6:30 PM, Friday, October 6. During this special Share Shabbat, we will have Consecration for the newest students in our Religious School.
Shmini Atzeret/Yizkor Service will be at Congregation AHAVATH, 84 Lebanon Ave. Colchester, Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 A.M.
High Holiday Day Cemetery Services in our Region
Sunday, September 10
1:00 P.M. – Rabbi Marc Ekstrand and Cantorial Soloist Sherry Barnes
Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association Cemetery #3 and #4
62 Middle Road, Preston
Rabbi Earl Kideckel
10:00 A.M. – Ohave Shalom Cemetery, Boston Post Road in Waterford
11:00 A.M. – Beth El Cemetery, Lestertown Road, Groton
Sunday, September 24
Rabbi Julius Rabinowitz
9:30 A.M. – Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association Cemetery #2
38 Rt 12, Preston
And then Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association Cemeteries #3 and #4
62 Middle Road, Preston
Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz
11:30 A.M. – Temple Bnai Israel cemetery on Rte 32 in Mansfield
Use 227 Stafford Road, Mansfield, CT 06250 in your GPS to get there
Rabbi Ken Alter
12:30 P.M. – Ahavath Achim Cemetery Taintor Hill Road
1:00 P.M. – Jewish Aid and Lebanon Sections of Ahavath Achim Cemetery, Gillette’s Lane