Dear Friend,
As Jewish people around the world gather with loved ones this Rosh Hashana, we ask you to take a moment to think of those who are not able to do so, and spend a few moments enabling others to have a better year ahead.
It’s been over five months since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was wrongfully detained by Russian authorities. Through the link below, you can send Evan your wishes for the Jewish New Year. The more people who participate in this project, the louder will be our voice of love and support. We hope and pray that Evan will soon taste the sweetness of freedom. Please submit all letters by TODAY, Friday, September 15, 2023 at 6 pm ET.
For our entire community, and for Jews in Israel and around the world, we can also raise our voices in support and ensure that the world is a brighter and sweeter place, please consider giving what you can toward this year’s Annual Campaign, which addresses needs served by all of our constituent agencies, from hunger to security, from basic hygiene needs to Jewish education, and so much more. You can give today by emailing your pledge amount, making a donation by credit card, or getting involved by joining us for Ride to Provide!
While the Jewish year is ending now, the end of the secular year will be here before you know it. Check out these recommendations on how to make the most out of your donation to our Annual Campaign by doing some year-end tax planning.
I hope to see you and wish you a Happy, Healthy, and Sweet New Year in person this weekend!
Shabbat shalom,
Nora Gorenstein, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
HIGH HOLIDAY EVENTS
TBE Erev Rosh Hashanah Tot Shabbat Program
Friday September 15 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Temple Beth El, Springfield
Welcome the new year with friends and families at TBE! Marlene Rachelle will lead this service with prayer, music, and storytelling. This program is for families with children ages 7 & under.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Friday September 15 | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Sinai Temple, Springfield
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service and Oneg to follow.
All attending must have a High Holiday ticket. Please contact (413-736-3619) the Sinai Temple office if you wish to attend as our guest.
Rosh Hashana Services at LYA
Saturday September 16 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | LYA, Longmeadow
LYA will hold Rosh Hashana services and include a special Children’s Program at 10:00 a.m. each day. The Children’s Program will include games, activities and snack.
Rosh Hashanah Day Service
Saturday September 16 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Sinai Temple, Springfield
All attending must have a High Holiday ticket. Please contact (413-736-3619) the Sinai Temple office if you wish to attend as our guest.
First Day Rosh Hashana
Saturday September 16 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Sons of Zion, Holyoke
Shabbat/First Day Rosh Hashana Service, followed by light Kiddush.
RH Family Service with Anna Sobel
Saturday September 16 | 10:15 am – 11:00 am | Beit Ahavah, Florence
Rosh Hashanah Family Service led by Anna Sobel, especially for families with kids 0-9. Anna Sobel leads a joyful, dynamic, interactive service, incorporating the beautiful holiday music and prayers, spirituality, scavenger hunt, and puppet show “The Rosh Hashanah Table.” Concludes with dipping apples and honey, and a parade to the main service for Shofar.
Register here.
Rosh Hashana Services and Shofar
Sunday September 17 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | LYA, Longmeadow
LYA will hold Rosh Hashana services and a special Children’s Program at 10:00 a.m. The Children’s Program will include games, activities and snack. Shofar blowing will take place at 11:00 a.m.
Rosh Hashanah Mountain Service
Sunday September 17 | 9:30 am – 11:30 am | Mount Sugarloaf, Deerfield
We are delighted to welcome Cara Michelle Silverberg back to the JCA to lead this service. We will meet at the Mount Sugarloaf Parking Lot in Deerfield. Hikers can park in either free lot down below. There is an accessible option to drive to the top rather than hike. The upper parking lot has a fee of $5. We will begin with group introductions in the parking lot, then make our own way to the top. All meet at the observation tower for singing and sounding the shofar at the summit. Dress comfortably, wear good hiking shoes, and bring water and whatever sun protection you prefer. Rain or shine, except in severe weather. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring snacks, challah, apples and honey, honey cake, etc to share.
Second Day Rosh Hashana
Sunday September 17 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Sons of Zion followed by Heritage Park, Holyoke
We will start with a service and study, followed by a light Kiddush, and then Tashlich at Heritage Park.
Tashlich at Mill River
Sunday September 17 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Mill river at 60 Federal Street entrance, Northampton
Led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske & friends. It’s very informal, earthy, sweet and heimish, with shofars, a few songs, community and intentions. Bring bread crumbs or use small pebbles and river rocks to throw as we cast away our sins. Shofarot, kids and good dogs most welcome.
Tashlich and Family Program
Sunday September 17 | 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm | Turner Pond at Turner Park, Longmeadow
Families are invited to join LYA for a special Tashlich service and Shofar blowing. There will be a Rosh Hashana family program there.
Unpacking Yom Kippur!
Tuesday September 19 | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Virtual
We Won, Let’s Not Eat. When is a fast a feast? Why does the Torah demand TWO days of Yom Kippur, and why do we disobey? Unpacking Yom Kippur.
Call (413) 567-0036 for more information
Tashlich
Wednesday September 20 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, 132 Pelham Road, Amherst
This simple ceremony is performed at the water’s edge, when we throw bits of bread or lint from our pockets into the stream as a symbolic casting away of our sins. We will meet at the entrance to Amethyst Brook and walk together to the stream.
Shabbat Shuvah
Saturday September 23 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Virtual
Shabbat service between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur – this event will be held via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please contact the SOZ office at office@sonsofzionholyoke.org by 5 pm the day before.
Memorial Service
Sunday September 24 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | SOZ Cemetery, 72 Ludlow Road, Chicopee
Join us for a Memorial Service at the SOZ Cemetery.
Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre
Sunday September 24 | 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm | Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke
Join us at Congregation Sons of Zion for Kol Nidre.
Kol Nidre Service
Sunday September 24 | 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Sinai Temple, Springfield
Guests are invited to attend. All attendees must have a High Holiday ticket in order to be admitted. Please call Sinai Temple Office 413-736-3619 for further information.
Yom Kippur
Monday September 25 | 9:30 am – 8:00 pm | Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke
Join us for Yom Kippur. 9:30 am: Services begin; 4 pm: Book of Jonah study with Rabbi Perlmutter; 5:30 pm: Mincha/Neilah; 7:30 pm: Break-the-Fast. All are welcome.
Yom Kippur High Holy Day Morning Service
Monday September 25 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Sinai Temple, Springfield
All attendees must present a High Holy Day ticket. Guests are welcome. Please contact the Sinai Temple Office to obtain a ticket, and for further information: 413-736-3619.
Yom Kippur High Holy Day Family Service
Monday September 25 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Sinai Temple, Springfield
All attendees must present a High Holy Day ticket. Guests are welcome. Please contact the Sinai Temple Office to obtain a ticket, and for further information: 413-736-3619.
Yom Kippur High Holiday Afternoon Service
Monday September 25 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Sinai Temple, Springfield
All attendees must present a HH ticket at the door. Guest are welcome to attend this service. For further information and to obtain a ticket contact the Sinai Temple Office: 413-736-3619.
Unpacking Sukkot!
Tuesday September 26 | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Virtual
It’s after Labor Day, why are we eating outside? What exactly is there to be happy about?
Call (413) 567-0036 for more information.
Erev Sukkot
Friday September 29 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke
Short service in the Sukkah at 6:30 pm, followed by a potluck in the Sukkah.
Congregation B’nai Torah’s Sukkot Dinner
Friday September 29 | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Congregation B’nai Torah, Longmeadow
Enjoy the holiday of Sukkot in our enlarged sukkah. Learn about the importance of the holiday as well as fulfilling the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah with a delicious meal. Cost through September 27 is $18 for adults (18 and over) and $45 for families w/children under 18. After September 27, the cost for adults (18 and over) is $22 and $45 for families w/children under 18-$50
First Day Sukkot
Saturday September 30 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Virtual
First Day Sukkot service begins at 10 am via Zoom. Please contact the office at office@sonsofzionholyoke.org if you would like to participate.
Second Day Sukkot
Sunday October 1 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke
This will be the first opportunity for lulav and strong. Holiday Kiddush follows service in the Sukkah.
Unpacking Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah!
Monday October 2 | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Virtual
The Torah is a book. Books are meant to be read. Why are we jumping around with a rolled-up Torah instead of studying it?
Call (413) 567-0036 for more details.
Charcuterie in the Sukkah with NextGen
Thursday October 5 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Temple Beth El’s Outdoor Sukkah (in the back), Springfield
Join us for a festive Sukkot experience like no other at “Charcuterie in the Sukkah,” an exciting event brought to you by NextGen, the vibrant Jewish Young Adult Program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Whether you’re looking to reunite with familiar faces or make new friends, “Charcuterie in the Sukkah” promises an unforgettable evening of community, joy, and delectable treats. Cost: subsidized ticket – $18, event ticket – $36, sponsor ticket – $50.
Register here.
Shemini Atzeret (last day Sukkot) Yizkor
Saturday October 7 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Virtual
This service (including Yizkor) will be held via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please contact the SOZ office at office@sonsofzionholyoke.org by 5 pm the day before.