High Holy Days 2020 - Congregation Emanu El

GOOD CHANGE

Your Book of Life doesn’t begin today, on Rosh HaShanah. It began when you were born. Some of the chapters were written by other people: your parents, siblings, and teachers. Parts of your book were crafted out of experiences you had because of other people’s decisions: where you lived, what schools you went to, what your homes were like. But the message of Rosh HaShanah, the anniversary of the creation of the world, is that everything can be made new again, that much of your book is written every day—by the choices you make. The book is not written and sealed; you get to edit it, decide what parts you want to emphasize and remember, and maybe even which parts you want to leave behind. Shanah tovah means both a good year, and a good change. Today you can change the rest of your life. It is never too late.

Mishkan Hanefesh,
Machzor for the Days of Awe

This information is available in a downloadable PDF. Click here!

Emanu El,
This year’s theme for our high holy days comes from Our High Holiday Machzor and compels us to think forward and make a good change. This new year may we all know that our story is being written everyday, and we can always transform and lean into a good change. Together may we
all be courageous. Wishing you all a good change in 5781!

Rabbi Lindy Reznick
Cantor Jennifer Bern-Vogel

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE HIGH HOLY DAYS HAGGADAH

Learn about our High Holy Days programming

QUICK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SLICHOT:
Joint Service with other SoCal synagogues
September 12, 7:30pm
Click here to register.

KEVER AVOT:
Service: September 13, 9:00am
Reservations are required to visit the Home of Eternity Cemetery. 15-minute slots are available.
Call the temple office for reservations.

ROSH HASHANAH:
Erev Rosh HaShanah, September 18
5pm Live Toasts
5:30pm Rosh HaShanah Seder

Day 1, September 19
   10am Rosh HaShanah Service
   3pm Childrens’ Service Watch Party
   DIY Tashlich with duck food donated by PAWS…

Day 2, September 20
10am Rosh HaShanah Service

“IN-BETWEEN” CLASSES:
Sept. 21, 7pm: Drs. Phil Gold and Elizabeth Raskin
Sept. 22: Rabbi Healther Miller
Sept. 23: Jerry Ripley
Sept. 24: Fran Grace

YOM KIPPUR:
Kol Nidre, September 27, 6:30pm
Yom Kippur, September 28
   10am Morning Service
   1pm Yizkor Service
   3pm Childrens’ Service Watch Party
   5pm Neilah Service

SUKKOT:
Service: October 2, 6:30pm
Sukkot Yizkor: October 11, 9am

SIMCHAT TORAH:
Service and Consecration: October 11, 6:30pm

For more information, choose the section below you would like to read.

Calendar
In the month of Elul

The month preceding Rosh Hashanah is a very special time. It is like 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 21, 2020.
Look for special postings and teachings, and inspirational moments on our social media platforms. Follow us!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emanuelredlands
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/emanuelredlands
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/congregationemanuelredlands/
What is S'lichot?

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

The penitential prayers of S’LICHOT 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 S’LICHOT 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 S’LICHOT in keeping with the white of the High Holy Days.

We will be part of a communal Zoom S’lichot with a group of congregations from Pomona to Riverside…with the Jewish Federation of Pomona and San Gabriel Valleys.
The service is on September 12 at 7:30pm.
Click here to register.

Click here to get a copy of the prayer sheets you’ll need for the event.
Kever Avot

The Kever Avot service gives us an opportunity to honor the loved ones we have lost. This year, we join together electronically to say communal prayers. In order to ensure safety, reservations will be taken for families to visit the Home of Eternity Cemetery. Each reservation will be for 15 minutes, after which there will be 15 minutes before the next reservation. We ask that you stay in family groups and not bring different families together. Contact the temple office to make a cemetery visitation time.

Kever Avot Services will be held on September 13 at 9:00am over Zoom and Facebook Live.

Reservations are required to visit the Home of Eternity Cemetery. 15-minute slots are available.

Call the temple office at 909-307-0400 for reservations and for more information.
About Rosh Hashanah

“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.

This year we celebrate with a Seder on Erev Rosh HaShanah. Supplies will be available at a safe drive-up event on September 17. IF you are unable to attend arrange with the office for a pick up of your supplies. The Haggadah can be downloaded on our web site, https://emanuelsb.org.

It is highly encouraged to gather digitally with Emanu El family and friends, so no one is alone for this fun interactive holiday experience. All services will be available live. Replays will be available on our YouTube page for those who wish to celebrate later.

Rosh Hashanah Services Schedule (Zoom/Facebook Live)
Friday, September 18 (Erev Rosh HaShanah):
   5pm Live Toasts
   5:30pm Rosh HaShanah Seder

Saturday, September 19 (Rosh HaShanah Day 1):
   10am Rosh HaShanah Service
   3pm Childrens’ Service Watch Party

Sunday, September 20 (Rosh HaShanah Day 2):
   10am Rosh HaShanah Service
Tashlich

“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 freeing way to start anew.

You will receive instructions for a DIY Tashlich experience in your Taste of the Holidays care package or download them below. Included there will be instructions for how to conduct your own Tashlich experience as well as eco-friendly duck food, to throw for Tashlich, thanks to a generous donation from PAWS…

Click here to download the Tashlich instructions.
"In-Between" Classes

This year, we are offering special educational opportunities every day in the week between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. We are honored to have members of our community and leading lights from all over the country participating!

All events are held at 7:00pm over Zoom and Facebook Live.

“IN-BETWEEN” CLASSES:
Sept. 21, 7pm: Drs. Phil Gold and Elizabeth Raskin
Sept. 22: Rabbi Healther Miller
Sept. 23: Jerry Ripley
Sept. 24: Fran Grace
Yom Kippur

“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 experienced 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. Replays of services will be available on our YouTube page for those who wish to celebrate later.

Yom Kippur Services Schedule (Zoom/Facebook Live):

Kol Nidre Service: Sunday, September 27, 6:30pm

Yom Kippur, Monday, September 28
   Morning Service, 10am
   Yizkor Service, 1pm
   Childrens’ Service Watch Party, 3pm
   Neilah Service, 5pm
Sukkot

Sukkot means “booths.” It is our festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest and is a commemoration of our people’s wanderings in the desert. Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur and lasts eight days. During that time, we are commanded 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 and friends while enjoying nature’s bounty.

Sukkot Services and Events Schedule
(Zoom/Facebook Live):
Sukkot Service: Friday, October 2, 6:30pm
Yizkor Service: Sunday, October 11, 9am
Simchat Torah

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 Torahs 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 Schedule (Zoom/Facebook Live):
Simchat Torah Service
and Consecration of our newest students:
Sunday, October 11, 6:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions

How will services work this year?

2020 is a year like no other. In order to keep our community safe, all services will take place over Zoom and Facebook Live. No account is needed to use Zoom or Facebook Live. Follow the links at emanuelsb.org to join. If you have no access to a computer, use your phone. Call 1-669-900-6833 and use meeting ID: 501 987 6154 and password 472615. Replays of services will be available on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/emanuelredlands, and our Facebook page, facebook.com/emanuelredlands.

Do I need tickets?
It has long been our policy that our services are open to all. Please invite your family and friends, whether they are near or far. This year, all are welcome and encouraged to be with us online.

What is the cost for services?

There is no charge for services. We wish to share this time of worship with everyone. Donations are encouraged to help with many additional costs of this unique year and holiday season.

Prayer Books

Congregation Emanu El uses Mishkan Hanefesh. No prayer book is needed to participate in services, but if you wish to follow along, the prayer books are available in a print and Kindle edition at Amazon.
For those of limited means, please contact the office. We can make arrangements for you to have access to an electronic or print edition.

Tallitot and Kippot

Unfortunately, we are unable to loan tallitot to our members. 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.
If you do not have a kippah (yarmulke), please contact the temple office at 909-307-0400 and we would be happy to arrange for one for you to keep.

Honors

Due to the electronic nature of services, all honors have been assigned in advance. We are grateful to all those who chose to pre-record their passages so that they can be included in our online services this year.

If you have technical questions:

All services this year will be held safely and electronically using Zoom and Facebook Live. If you are not comfortable with using Zoom or Facebook Live, call the office at 909-307-0400 and we will arrange for a “Zoom angel” to contact you to walk you through the process.
You can also attend services using any phone. Call 1-669-900-6833 and use meeting ID: 501 987 6154 and password 472615.
You are free to join services using Zoom or Facebook Live. Both are free and do not require signup. Go to our web site, https://emanuelsb.org, and click either the “Connect via Zoom” or “Connect via Facebook Live” button. Zoom services let you participate by speaking up, while Facebook Live services are listen-only.
Some sections of this year’s services will be pre-recorded, while others will be live. You may attend on the scheduled date and time or watch a replay on our Facebook page, https://facebook.com/emanuelredlands, or our YouTube page, https://youtube.com/emanuelredlands.

Basic online etiquette:

If you join us via Zoom, please keep yourself muted unless asked by clergy to unmute yourself. Please use the device you have with the largest screen so you can enjoy services more. If possible, put your device down securely so the image you send does not move or jitter during services. Please turn off your camera if you are moving, eating or engaging in something distracting during services. We are creating a sacred space and you can help do that by only having your camera on when you are able to focus.

If you have questions during services, you may type them into the chat section of either Zoom or Facebook Live.

Questions
If you have any questions in the days leading up to the high holy days, call our office at 909-307-0400. We can arrange for tutoring on Zoom or Facebook, answer any questions you have, or partner you with an expert so you can experience services more fully.

Please call ahead, as our offices will be closed during services.
Membership at Congregation Emanu El

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.

Judaism does not have a 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.
Donating to Congregation Emanu El

GOOD CHANGE

Learn about our High Holy Days programming

QUICK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

For more information, choose the section below you would like to read.

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

“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

“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

Contact Info

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