2020 HIGH HOLIDAYS SERVICES and ACTIVITIES GUIDE
CONNECTED BY THE CALL
As Rosh HaShanah 5781 approaches, we are forced to ask ourselves what it means to be connected. In a regular year, the High Holidays are the time to recognize faces, happily note new ones, and sadly remember those who are missing. We are able to recognize our connection in a very tangible way. These High Holidays will be different. Period. We believe, however, we have an opportunity to connect more deeply through our collective purpose. We have crafted a whole curriculum of varied experiences to enlighten and link our shared spiritual journeys. We hope you will attend at least some of these experiences and recognize that we are still connected and our bonds are as strong as ever.
HIGH HOLIDAYS IN THE BAG
Observing the High Holidays at home may seem daunting, but we’re trying to make it easier. You’ll have the High Holidays in the bag... Quite literally! We’ve prepared specially curated “High Holidays Experience Bags” for every WJC member. Congregants can come to the WJC office beginning the week of September 7 and pick up High Holidays essentials. Congregational bags include the required number of machzorim as requested by the household and WJC kippot. Religious School families should pick up their special bags during the Teacher Meet and Greet on the morning of Sunday, September 13. Early Childhood families may pick up their bag in the WJC office beginning on Monday, September 14. Bags for families feature activities that will keep our youngest members engaged during the holiday season. These family bags include: a WJC Kippah, a children’s shofar, a family service booklet and various games and activities that’ll encourage families to share their values and goals for the coming year. These activities supplement the online activities and videos that will be accessible soon. If you cannot pick up your bag prior to Rosh HaShanah, please contact Kim in the synagogue office at 914-698-2960 to make other accommodations.
Unless noted with a specific Zoom link, all services will be livestreamed at: www.wjcenter.org/wjclive
ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES Friday, September 18 - Erev Rosh HaShanah
6:00pm Preceding the first day of Rosh HaShanah, there will be a virtual Zoom service where we virtually greet one another and usher in Shabbat and Rosh HaShanah. Zoom Meeting ID: 842 3342 2246
Saturday, September 19 - Rosh HaShanah Day 1
9:00am Rosh HaShanah Day 1 services begin with a small minyan comprised of those who are leading parts of the service. 11:00am Group of pre-registered congregants join the room. This 90-minute service will be crafted to be as meaningful as possible for both attendees and those viewing remotely. It will include the sermon, familiar prayers and elements of the lay-led study service.
Sunday, September 20 - Rosh HaShanah Day 2
9:00am Rosh HaShanah Day 2 services begin with a small minyan comprised of those who are leading parts of the service. 11:00am Group of pre-registered congregants join the room. This 90-minute service will be crafted to be as meaningful as possible for both attendees and those viewing remotely. It will include the sermon, familiar prayers and elements of the lay-led study service. In three 45-minute shifts, participants will have an opportunity to 2:30pm 3:30pm hear the call of the shofar from a safe distance and to perform the 4:30pm Tashlich ceremony of throwing bread into the water to represent the casting off of our sins. The service will take place at Harbor Island Park.
YOM KIPPUR SERVICES Sunday, September 27
4:00pm The first of two opportunities to recite personal Yizkor prayers. Zoom Meeting ID: 893 2841 8209 6:00pm Zoom “Meet and Greet� for congregants and clergy to greet each other before Yom Kippur starts. Zoom Meeting ID: 824 4161 1519 6:30pm A traditional 90-minute Kol Nidre service with a limited number of people attending in person. Others will attend by livestream.
Monday, September 28 - Yom Kippur
9:00am Yom Kippur services begin with a small minyan comprised of those who are leading parts of the service. 11:15am Group of pre-registered congregants join the room. This 90-minute service will be crafted to be as meaningful as possible for both attendees and those viewing remotely. It will include the sermon, familiar prayers and elements of the lay-led study service. We will also recite Yizkor prayers for the victims of the Shoah and other martyrs. 1:30pm The second opportunity to recite personal Yizkor prayers. 5:00pm Mincha services will commence at 5:00pm with a small minyan comprised of those who are leading parts of the service. 6:00pm An expanded group of pre-registered congregants join for the Neilah concluding service, which will end at 7:30pm.
YOUTH & TEEN SERVICES & ACTIVITIES These services and activities can be viewed online at wjcenter.org/highholidays from September 15. During Religious School Teacher Meet & Greet on Sunday, September 13, WJC Families can pick up our specially curated High Holiday Bags. On Monday, September 14, ECC Families can pick up their High Holidays Bags in the Synagogue Office.
Tot Services - Rosh HaShanah Days 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur
Join Diane Holsten for an interactive High Holidays experience geared towards little ones along with a grown up. Together we will set the table for Rosh HaShanah, sing songs, blow the shofar, dance with Torah, and wish loved ones and friends a L’shana Tovah!
Storytime with Eileen Fortuna
Eileen Fortuna reads from two fun and meaningful High Holiday children books. Perfect for some down time with little ones.
Family Services
Our clergy leads prayers and songs in pre-recorded services that will highlight unique and relevant holiday themes for the two days of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. The Torah will be read by Annika Lee, Elijah Arnowitz, and Leo Nazarzadeh.
The Challah Whisperer
Round challahs symbolize the completion of a year. Watch Tami Arnowitz take you through each and every step to bake round challahs.
Holiday Cooking: The Next Generation
Join WJC Teen Annika Lee as she teaches you her ancestors’ recipes for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur! Recipes include: Holiday Brisket, Carrot Tzimmes, Chopped Liver, Pareve, and Dairy Noodle Kugels and Rye Bread!
Shofar 101 with Stu Seltzer
Stu Seltzer talks about the significance of the shofar. He teaches the notes and offers tips for making it sing loud and clear.
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT ACTIVITIES Tuesday, September 1 - An Exploration of Psalms - Part 1 9:45am
Join Rabbi Dalton as she explores the Psalms. Dwelling–Entering the season of Elul, teshuva, and the call to dwell in God’s house. Zoom Meeting ID: 856 0638 9899
Wednesday, September 2 - Holiday Challah Baking
7:30pm Tami Arnowitz, already famous for her weekly challah classes, helps us bake round challahs to adorn every holiday table. Zoom Meeting ID: 844 024 07924
Thursday, September 3 - High Holidays Introduction - Part 1 7:45pm
The first of three sessions with Rabbi Arnowitz. This session will explore the Shofar as used in services. Zoom Meeting ID: 907 85 8576
Tuesday, September 8 - An Exploration of Psalms - Part 2 9:45am
Join Rabbi Dalton as she explores the Psalms. Remembering–Where does God go? What does it look like to carry God with us? Remembering to whom we are returning. Zoom Meeting ID: 894 8459 2590
Tuesday, September 8 - WJC High Holidays FAQ
7:30pm We know services this year will be different. In an effort to be clear and transparent, Rabbi Arnowitz will answer all your questions about this year’s WJC High Holiday services. Zoom Meeting ID: 836 8555 9664
Wednesday, September 9 - A Break Fast To Start off a Sweet Year
2:00pm Renee Cohen, our very own chef extraordinaire, shows us how to prepare sweet treats for Break fast or any time, including blintzes and cheesecake. Zoom Meeting ID: 878 1623 2417
Wednesday, September 9 - High Holidays Songfest
7:30pm Brush up on your High Holiday songs and prayers. Cantor Goldberg will teach us some new High Holiday melodies and review familiar tunes. Zoom Meeting ID: 889 2020 7871
Thursday, September 10 - High Holidays Introduction - Part 2 7:45pm
The second of three sessions with Rabbi Arnowtiz. We dive deep into the complex poem Unetaneh Tokef. Zoom Meeting ID: 907 858 576
Thursday, September 10 - Elul Pre-High Holy Days Yoga - Session 1 7:45pm
Join yoga teacher Robin Wald for a reflective Elul yoga and meditation practice to prepare for the high holy days. This is the first of two sessions. Zoom Meeting ID: 870 9174 5349
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT ACTIVITIES Friday, September 11 - Holiday Challah Baking 10am
For those who couldn’t attend the initial challah baking session, Tami Arnowitz bakes again. Zoom Meeting ID: 848 9004 4025
Saturday, September 12 - Musical Selichot Service 8:30pm Join Westchester Jewish Center, Temple Israel Center, Shaarei Tikvah, Beth El Synagogue Center for a collaborative musical service. Visit: wjcenter.org/selichot Sunday, September 13 - J.O.Y. Club Program
4:00pm The JOY Club will host a zoom conversation with Rabbi Arnowitz entitled “Celebrating the High Holidays in This Time of Pandemic.” Zoom Meeting ID: 871 2424 4186
Sunday, September 13 - Long-Time Member Zoom Dinner
5:00pm Co-hosted by the J.O.Y. Club. Dinner will be provided by WJC and delivered to your house in advance. RSVP is essential; contact the WJC office. Zoom Meeting ID: 871 2424 4186
Monday, September 14 - Awakening Your Spiritual Connection
11:00am Join Cheryl Brause, WJC member and mediation teacher, for a 45-minute meditation to explore how we can take ancient wisdom and spiritual practices to reconnect to meaning, purpose, connection and hope in the new year. Zoom Meeting ID: 830 5266 5867
Tuesday, September 15 - An Exploration of Psalms - Part 3 9:45am
Join Rabbi Dalton as she explores the Psalms. Returning–Searching, turning back, and finding closeness with ourselves and God as we make mistakes. Zoom Meeting ID: 897 4239 4180
Tuesday, September 16 - Elul Pre-High Holy Days Yoga - Session 2 7:45pm The second opportunity to join yoga teacher Robin Wald for a reflective Elul
yoga and meditation practice. Zoom Meeting ID: 827 8241 8087
Thursday, September 17 - High Holidays Introduction - Part 3 7:45pm .
The third of three sessions with Rabbi Arnowitz. We explore “Ahl Chet” and the beating of our chest. Zoom Meeting ID: 907 858 576
Monday, September 28 - Yom Kippur Discussions & Meditation
2:15pm 3:15pm 4:15pm
We will stream a series of 45-minute discussions as well as a meditation with Cheryl Brause. Rabbi Arnowitz will talk about “Depression and the Book of Jonah.” Rabbi Dalton will talk about “Seeking Righteousness and Justice in a Broken World.” Exact schedule to be published closer to Yom Kippur. Visit the WJC livestream: www.wjcenter.org/wjclive
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 9/1 9/2 9/3 9/7 9/8 9/9 9/10 9/11 9/12 9/13 9/14 9/15 9/16 9/17 9/18 9/19 9/20 9/27 9/28
9:45am 7:30pm 7:45pm 9:45am 7:30pm 2:00pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 10:00am 8:30pm 4:00pm 11:00am 9:45am 7:45pm 7:45pm 6:00pm 9:00am 11:00am 9:00am 11:00am 4:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 9:15am 11:15am 1:30pm 2:15-5:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:30pm
An Exploration of Psalms with Rabbi Dalton - Part 1 Holiday Challah Baking with Tami Arnowitz High Holidays Introduction with Rabbi Arnowitz - Part 1 Congregants can begin to pick up High Holiday Bags An Exploration of Psalms with Rabbi Dalton - Part 2 WJC High Holidays FAQ A Break Fast To Start off a Sweet Year with Renee Cohen High Holidays Songfest with Cantor Ethan High Holidays Introduction with Rabbi Arnowitz - Part 2 Elul Pre-High Holy Days Yoga - Session 1 Holiday Challah Baking with Tami Arnowitz Musical Selichot Service Families can begin to pick up High Holiday bags Longtime Member Dinner Awakening Your Spiritual Connection with Cheryl Brause An Exploration of Psalms with Rabbi Dalton - Part 3 Youth Services and Activities available online Elul Pre-High Holy Days Yoga - Session 2 High Holidays Introduction with Rabbi Arnowitz - Part 3 Zoom Meet & Greet prior to Rosh HaShanah Rosh HaShanah Day 1 - Services begin Rosh HaShanah Day 1 - Expanded services continue Rosh HaShanah Day 2 - Services begin Rosh HaShanah Day 2 - Expanded services continue Tashlich at Harbor Island Park (2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm) Yizkor (First opportunity) Kol Nidre Introduction and “Meet and Greet” via zoom Kol Nidre Yom Kippur - Services begin Yom Kippur - Expanded services continue Yizkor (Second opportunity) Various learning and meditation experiences via livestream from the sanctuary Mincha & Neilah - Services Begin Mincha & Neilah - Expanded services continue Conclusion of Yom Kippur services