Just in time for your fall calendaring – here’s the updated, final list of our celebrations for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. No time is too soon to consider joining us this fall. Please be in touch and we look forward to your being with us.

Our wonderful and extensive Sisterhood New Year’s Bulletin for 5776 will be prepared by Kathy Novick and it contains a one page summary of the fall holidays.  (This list also appeared in the August and upcoming September newsletters.)Copies for members are available at the synagogue at Rosh Hashanah services.  Please look for the copy with your name on it, along with the fall/early winter minyan schedule.  Extra copies will be available for visitors, guests and newcomers.  Just ask!

We look forward to celebrating with you. Questions may be directed to Rabbi Heath at jewishtaunton@gmail.com

HIGH HOLY DAY TICKETS

Lois Goldman will be pleased to discuss your being with us this year for the High Holy Days and how our tickets policy works.  She is working with Joyce Antine, chairman of our Membership Committee. Between them they are prepared to answer any questions you might have regarding participating in our community for the High Holy Days and more. Please email jewishtaunton@gmail.com for further information or call Lori McCloud in our office (mornings Monday to Friday) at 508-822-3230 and she can take a message and let Lois know you’d like information.

COME CELEBRATE AND LEARN WITH US

“Forgive for Good: Learning from Secular Research” – Selichot for 5776

Saturday September 12 at 6:30 PM in the Vestry

Sisterhood always starts us off with yummy desserts before we celebrate Havdalah. In our learning for the new year we explore Forgive for Good by Dr. Fred Luskin and the Stanford Forgiveness Project.

Based on extensive research, including in the communities of Northern Ireland, Dr. Luskin – in a 73-minute PBS video will explore aspects of forgiveness and present a path towards forgiveness.  He explains the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation.

In four distinct segments of the video, Dr. Luskin introduces the concept of, benefits from, and steps to forgiveness. He provides dramatic examples from his research in this field, shares results of measurable health benefits of forgiveness, outlines the 9 steps towards forgiving oneself and others, and answers audience questions about the forgiveness process.

We will begin to connect this secular work with Judaism’s centuries-old traditions of forgiveness, personal characteristics (middot) and ethical actions (mitzvot).

You can read more about Forgive for Good by clicking here. A book of the same name provides additional background and learning.

Designed for adults and older teens, we’ll have a chance to nosh, socialize, and watch and discuss the film. We close the evening with the traditional prayers and melodies of Selichot, led by Cantor Burton. We should be heading home by about 9:00 PM

Our New Machzorim

This year we begin using the new Reform movement machzorim – High Holy Day prayerbooks.  There are two volumes. A gold covered book for Rosh Hashanah and a silver covered book for Yom Kippur. We thank the many in our community who made donations for their purchase.  More information about Mishkan HaNefesh may be found here.

Rosh Hashanah Events and Services

7:00 PM Wed Sept 2—High Holy Day Choir Rehearsal in the vestry with Rabbi Heath

7:00 PM Thur Sept 10—High Holy Day Choir Rehearsal in the vestry with Rabbi Heath and Cantor Burton

9:30 AM Sun Sept 13—Rosh Hashanah Family Service and Intergenerational Learning Morning (no tickets required). Includes Shofar workshop with Cantor Burton.

6:00 PM Sun Sept 13—Catered Kosher Rosh Hashanah Dinner in the vestry. RSVP’s and payment due by Friday September 4th. Contact Lori McCloud in the office at 508-822-3230 for more information. Adults, teens and older students $36. Students 4th grade and younger $18.

7:00 PM Sun Sept 13—Rosh Hashanah Evening Service

9:00 AM Mon Sept 14—Rosh Hashanah Morning Service followed by Taschlich. Children’s service at 10:30 a.m. Childcare for all or part of the morning, $10 per child. Contact Lori McCloud in the office at 508-822-3230 for more information.

1:00 PM Mon Sept 14–Nosh and Gathering at Ana’s. Contact Lori McCloud in the office at 508-822-3230 to RSVP

9:00 AM Tue Sept 15—Rosh Hashanah Morning Service

7:00 PM Wed Sept 16—High Holy Day Choir Rehearsal with Rabbi Heath and Cantor Burton

9:00 AM Sat Sept 19—Shabbos Shuvah (Shabbat of Teshuvah/Sabbath of Repentance)

Yom Kippur Services

6:00 PM Tue Sept 22—Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Service including our cellist Jennifer Minnich

9:00 AM Wed Sept 23—Yom Kippur Morning Service. Children’s service at 10:30 a.m. Childcare for all or part of the morning, $10 per child. Contact Lori McCloud in the office at 508-822-3230 for more information.

12:00 PM Wed Sept 23—Yom Kippur Yizkor Memorial Service and Concurrent Teen Service

1:00 PM Wed Sept 23—Yom Kippur Seder HaAvodah Service (Recalling the Ancient Temple Service) and Eileh Ezkerah (Martyrology)

4:00 PM Wed Sept 23—Yom Kippur Mincha and Neilah Services

6:30 PM Wed Sept 23—Break-the-fast of Yom Kippur

Sukkot, Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret Celebrations

9:30 – 11:30 AM on Sunday September 27 we will decorate our sukkah (generously lent to us by the Coelho’s). We’re erecting it at the synagogue this year to take advantage of the beautiful new driveway and opportunities for outdoor celebration next to the synagogue. This is a school morning!!  Come learn, celebrate and “shake your lulav”!!

5:00 – 7:30+ PM on Saturday October 3 we gather at the Thomas’s in MIddleboro for a potluck pasta Sukkot dinner in the Sukkah, Havdalah and bonfire.  Designed for all ages.  Bring your bug spray.  Contact Lori McCloud in the office at 508-822-3230 for more information and to RSVP.  Susan Thomas will be in touch regarding what to bring.

4:30 PM on Sunday October 4– Religious School and Congregational Observance of Simchat Torah at the synagogue. We will consecrate students new to our school and our new first graders.  We will also welcome, officially, new members in our congregation.

6:45 PM on Tuesday October 6 at the Chapel in the Jewish Community House we will observe Yizkor for Shemini Atzeret. Board meeting to follow.