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The month preceding Rosh Hashanah is a very special time. You could almost compare it to preparing for a wedding – many people spend it planning the meals, family arrangements, flowers etc.…except this is also the time to focus on spiritual preparation, in particular. The wedding analogy isn’t so far off because the letters of ELUL – Aleph, Lamed, Vav and Lamed, form an acronym for the words in the verse Ani le‑dodi ve‑dodi li – “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). Believing that the “beloved” refers to God, the sages took this verse to describe the particularly loving and close relationship between God and Israel.

Because these days are filled with so much meaning and potency, they require a special measure of readiness. We are called upon to enter them thoughtfully and to consider what they mean. As the Maharal of Prague said, “All the month of Elul, before eating and sleeping, a person should look into his soul and search his deeds, that he may make confession.”

Elul starts at sundown on August 31, 2019.

“though your sins are scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”
—Isaiah 1:18

The penitential prayers of SELICHOT are the Overture to the High Holy Days – like the overture of a symphony that introduces us to the main themes and melodies we will hear throughout the various movements, the evening services of SELICHOT roll out the melodies and nusach – the musical and liturgical modes reserved specially for the season of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During this time of transformation, even the Torah covers are changed at SELICHOT in keeping with the white of the High Holy Days.

Selichot service is Saturday, September 21, at 7:00pm.

“In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a sacred assembly, a cessation from work, a day of commemoration proclaimed by the sound of the Shofar.”
—Leviticus 23:24

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish new year and the creation of the world. Our opening to our new year marks the beginning of the ten days of reflection and repentance known as the ten days of awe. Rosh Hashanah affirms our ability as humans to change and grow. This is a time for reflective thought, self-examination and prayer.
Rosh Hashanah we celebrate by lighting candles, drinking wine, eating round challah, dipping apples in honey, symbolizing a sweet new year. We sound the shofar three times in our services to remind us to bring God’s holiness into the world.

Rosh Hashanah Services Schedule:

Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 29, 7:00pm

Followed by reception graciously provided by Sisterhood

First Day Service: Monday, September 30, 9:30am

Followed by Kiddush

Second Day Service: Tuesday, October 1, 10:00am

Followed by lunch graciously provided by the Weissman family

For childcare and youth services information,  call our offices at 909-307.0400.

“Tashlich” means casting off. During this service we cast off our mistakes from the previous year by tossing them into a body of water and watching them disappear. This way our mistakes are symbolically washed away. By doing this we are declaring our intention to return to our best selves and start the year off with a fresh start, a clean slate.
Tashlich can be a time to symbolically rid oneself of last year’s mistakes that weigh you down. For an exercise at home try writing down things you wish to let go of this year on a piece of paper. Either crumple it and throw it away, write it on wish paper and burn it, or write it in the sand at the beach and let the waves wash it away. Giving away our mistakes from last year is a feeing way to start anew.

Tashlich service will be held at Ford Park
on Monday September 30, at 4:30pm.

“In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls,  and you shall not do any work… For on that day God shall provide atonement for you to cleanse from all your sins.”
—Leviticus 23:27

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is experience through prayer, music, repentance, and fasting. On this day we put aside our physical desires and concentrate on our spiritual needs, admitting to our shortcomings. We pray for the repair of our hearts and renewal of ourselves with compassion and love. We remember those loved ones who are no longer with us and ask for the blessing of life for another year.
With a great blast of the shofar, the ten days of awe come to an end. We break our fast and wish one another a year of reconciliation and love, of health and prosperity, of justice and generosity, and of spiritual well being and peace.

Yom Kippur Services Schedule:

Kol Nidre Service: Tuesday, October 8, 7:00pm
Yom Kippur Service: Wednesday, October 9, 9:30am
Yizkor Service: Wednesday, October 9, 1:00pm
Martyrology Service: Wednesday, October 9, 2:15pm
Mincha Service: Wednesday, October 9, 3:00pm
Neilah Service: Wednesday, October 9, 4:45pm

Followed by Break-the-Fast graciously provided by Sisterhood

Many congregations invite members to donate the food they would have eaten on this day to those who are less fortunate. You could take a bag and put it aside fill it with non-perishable food and donate it to Redlands Family Service or Cornerstone Church in San Bernandino. Another way to extend this idea is by considering volunteering at a shelter that serves meals for the needy. Volunteer to help pack food pantry bags or create a drive in our community to collect food for those in need. Our holidays are another opportunity to do the sacred work of tikkun olam, healing the world.

There are so many fun ways to extend the ideas of our High Holy Days with your children. For Rosh Hashanah, explore baking with honey and apples. Have a birthday party for the world complete with cards and cake. Talk about things you can do to help protect the Earth this new year. Invite your kids to think about what they would like to do differently this new year and write it down and display on the fridge or in their rooms.
Yom Kippur is a time with children to talk about the power of our words and our relationships. Read your children stories about kindness, teach them how to apologize when we mess up with a friend, collect food from home to donate to a local shelter and talk about how many people cannot afford to feed themselves, or their families. If your kids are b’nei mitzvah age or older, invite them to wait longer between meals, or skip an extra snack. Talk about fasting as a form of spiritual focus.
Bring your children to synagogue and to our School for Jewish Living. Contact our Director of Education and Youth, Marcela Lavi, for more ideas. Her e-mail is sjl@emanuelsb.org. We look forward to a meaningful new year together, celebrating shabbat, commemorating holidays and making Judaism fun and accessible for our future generations.

Sukkot means “booths,” is our festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest and is a commemoration of our peoples wanderings in the desert. Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur and lasts eight days. During that time, we are commended to “dwell in the sukkah.” It is our tradition not only to build a sukkah, but also to eat and sleep in it. Sukkot is a wonderful time to share a meal together and celebrate with family friends while enjoying nature’s bounty.

Sukkot Services and Events Schedule:

Erev Sukkot Dinner & Service: Sunday, Oct. 13, 7:00pm
Sisterhood in the Sukkah: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30pm
Teens&Tots in the Sukkah, Friday, Oct. 18, 6:00pm
Yizkor Service: Monday, October 21, 5:00pm

Simchat Torah means “rejoicing with the Torah.” This is what Jews do on this festive fun holiday. We also celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and start to read it all over again. While we dance and sing with the Torah we affirm that she is a tree of life! We take the Torah’s out of the ark, dance around the synagogue joyously and unwrap one entire Torah. We read from the concluding passages of Deuteronomy and then begin reading Genesis. We never stop reading the Torah; we end only to begin again.

Simchat Torah Service and Consecration of our newest students: Tuesday, October 22, 5:30pm

Do I need tickets?

No one will be turned away from high holy day services as long as there is seating available. Our sanctuary is open to all who seek to participate. Feel free to bring guests with you.

What is the cost for services?

There is no charge for services. We wish to share this time of worship with everyone, regardless of need. Donations are always appreciated to help defray the cost of additional staff needed at this time of year.  Our members and guests are encouraged to donate at any time. Envelopes will be available at the welcome desk as you walk in, and in several areas throughout the synagogue. If you wish to donate anonymously, please use the tzedakah box near the rack of tallitot.

If you are planning to be out of town:

Congregation Emanu El is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. URJ-affiliated congregations offer courtesy admission to members of other URJ congregations. Please contact the office if you would like help arranging for tickets to another synagogue.

Parking

Our parking lot does fill up quickly. Please park in any space not specifically marked for people with disabilities or for clergy and staff. You may park along the curb. Please do not park on the back lawn as it is not safe.

If you are able, please park as far away from the door as possible to allow our guests with special needs to park closer. If you wish, you may park along Patricia Avenue. The parking lot in the Ford Business Plaza may be used at night but please do not take up business parking spaces during the day.

If you need special accommodations:

Members and guests who need special accommodations should contact our office before services. We do our best to welcome the entire community and will make every effort to make you feel comfortable.

For families with children:

Please contact our office if you plan to bring small children who require childcare or who would benefit from a service specifically designed for younger participants.

Books, Tallitot, Kippot

We use Mishkan Hanefesh. Books will be available as you enter the sanctuary; please return them at the conclusion of services. Mishkan Hanefesh is also available in a Kindle edition if you wish to buy your own copy. A limited supply of tallitot are available. We encourage you to bring your own. It is acceptable for people of all genders to wear a tallit at morning services, and at evening services on Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre. We have a generous supply of kippot (yarmulkes).

Honors

Honors are assigned in advance on Rosh Hashanah day 1, on Kol Nidre, and on Yom Kippur. We are grateful to our honors task force for reaching out to our members for honors.

If you would like to be honored on Rosh Hashanah day 2, please reach out to a volunteer at our welcome desk near the front doors.

Electronic Devices

We request that out of respect, all electronic devices be silenced and their use be limited to emergencies or to reading Mishkan Hanefesh electronically.

If you have questions during services:

Please reach out to any member of the congregation wearing a brass name badge. These volunteers are members of our board of directors and Sisterhood board and will be happy to help in any way possible.

Safety and Security:

In case of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. There is a defibrillator with a safety plaque between the main restrooms. We are grateful to the Redlands Police Department for their continuous monitoring of our security system. If you see or suspect anything unsafe, reach out immediately to any member of the congregation wearing a brass name badge. In such uncertain times, Congregation Emanu El takes its commitment to your safety very seriously and we appreciate your cooperation.

Our members are our greatest strength. Being of service to the both Inland Empire Jews and the greater community is one of the greatest joys of congregational life. For over 125 years, Congregation Emanu El has stood a center of worship and education, and we offer sanctuary to all those who are unfairly persecuted.

Unlike other organized religions, Judaism does not have a wealthy central body which is able to subsidize our operations. All of our operating costs are covered by generous donations and by membership pledges.

Please consider membership at Congregation Emanu El. Your membership pays for our School for Jewish Living, for our staff and clergy, and allows us to serve the most needy in our area. If you are already a member, please consider planning for a donation to the congregation as part of your tax and estate planning. Without the generous support of our donors, Reform Judaism would not be able to thrive.

Membership is open to all Jews and to those who are undergoing an approved conversion program. Please see the welcome desk for membership forms and donation envelopes. We ask you to be as generous as possible, to allow us to continue our practice of never turning away anyone for financial need. Membership amounts are set to allow each member the honor of paying their fair share. Please let us know if the cost of membership is hard for your family to bear. You will not be turned away.

Out of town guests are welcome at services regardless of their ability to pay. However, guests are encouraged to show their gratitude to Congregation Emanu El with a donation of $36 per person. This donation helps defray extra expenses during this time of year and helps the congregation in its mission to serve those who cannot afford membership.
Donation envelopes are available at the welcome desk near the front door and in several areas throughout the synagogue. If you wish to donate anonymously, please use the tzedakah box near the rack of tallitot.