Synagogue Updates

Shabbat Shalom and Good Morning, 

Before the updates, I have to share that I am excited. In a few minutes I am going into the sanctuary to test out our new streaming cameras that were installed for the holidays. In addition to enabling us to share our High Holiday services, these cameras will enable us to share Shabbat Services and future B'nai Mitzvah. The system has a lot of potential that I can't wait to test out. 

As the holy days are coming closer, I wanted to highlight a few of our key opportunities to get into the spirit of the holidays and let you know how you can rsvp for them:

Bring a Bag, Take a Bag: Our High Holiday Food Drive and our High Holiday Giveaway all in one. Join us on one of four days to drop off food for the annual food drive, receive a holiday treat bag, and hear the shofar. You will also be able to borrow or purchase a High Holiday Mahzor. More information and RSVP is available here. 

Experience the Light from the Ark: The Torahs, the Ner Tamid, The Ark doors and the Bimah can put us in an atmosphere in which we feel more connected to prayer, reflection, and God. We know this will be difficult to achieve physically these high holidays with physically distancing limitations as most of our programs and services will be virtual. We are providing times if you would like to come spend a few minutes of time by yourself or with your family in our sanctuary.  Reserve a space here. 
 

Key Upcoming High Holiday Related Programs I want to Highlight:

High Holiday Review with Rabbi Cooper: September 8th and 15th at 12pm 
Join us for a deeper dive into the sources and messages for the High Holidays. Rabbi Cooper will use this as an opportunity to review his sources from his sermons. Zoom Recordings will be provided to all those who wish. Attend the class via this link. 
Password: 865912

Changing the Torah Covers with Hazzan Rosner:  Wednesday, September 16th
Sanctuary Torahs 4:40 pm - 5:00 pm 5th-7th graders of the community and all congregants are invited Chapel Torahs 5:40 pm - 6:00 pm K-4th graders of the community are invited.

As we enter the high holidays each year, we are given the opportunity to change over the Torah covers from the vibrant colors and designs to majestic white and gold. This year, Hazzan will give us all the opportunity to participate in this experience while speaking about the symbolism of a Torah Cover, how to change them and why we do it. See the weekly email for the zoom links.
 
Virtual Trivia Night with Sisterhood: Thursday, September 10 at 8:15pm. RSVP Here.


New Member Shabbat with Rabbinic Intern Noam Korngold: Friday, September 11 at 6:00pm
At 5:00pm, we will deliver welcome bags to our new members, then at 6:00pm, our congregation will gather via zoom for Kabbalat Shabbat. We will introduce our New Members that are attending the service. Kabbalat Shabbat will be led by our new Rabbinic Intern. 

As always, there is a lot more that I want to highlight for you, there is so much going on - but I also want you to be able to read it all. In my next email, we will highlight our shofar programs, tashlich and Neilah. You can view our complete schedule on the Pharisee. 

While this is not one of my "official" Sunday check-ins, I would be remiss if I didn't say a special thank you to our teachers and office staff who have been working so hard to create a safe and meaningful first week for our ECC families and preparing programs for an exciting 5781. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to be in touch. 

Wishing you another Shabbat Shalom, because it should be doubly blessed,

Ken