Shana Tovah and hooray for 5784!
One Big Mishpacha Ready to Embrace the New Year!
High Holidays 2023/5784 – One Big Mishpacha Ready to Embrace the New Year!
Shana Tovah! The high holidays are a time for us to come together, recognizing all that we share. We have an intricate story represented by Torah that speaks to our lessons learned over time. We have beautiful rituals that provide deep meaning to our days. We have a commitment to our faith, a recognition that we’re never alone. Over Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we nurture these principles as we recalibrate and prepare for days ahead.
Our High Holiday clergy team is Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Rabbi Emeritus Steven Garten, Student Cantor Ilana Mulcahy, and Rabbi Dara Lithwick. No service would be complete without our wonderful liturgical choir, under the direction of accompanist Carol Gurofsky. We’re delighted to offer a number of unique holiday programs under the direction of Rabbi Dara Lithwick to expand our reach and make our Temple family even more dynamic and inclusive.
Building on the success of last year’s High Holiday experiences, we will primarily worship in our sacred Sanctuary space. We have a variety of service options so that we can accommodate everyone comfortably. Please make sure to RSVP online to your intended services at your earliest convenience. The Hellenic Centre parking lot is available for our use. To parents of young children, you can register your kids for babysitting in advance for either Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur morning in the school wing. Lastly, all of our sanctuary services will be livestreamed so that you can continue to participate from the comfort of your home.
Expanding our Reach: Unique Offerings for the Holiday Season led by Rabbi Dara Lithwick.
- Not Your Bubby’s Rosh Hashana (Fri Sept 15th, 8:00, TBA): L’chaim! Young adults (in their 20’s and 30’s) are invited to a New Year’s experience including prayerful moments, holiday snacks, schnapps, and a chance to connect with one another. Intended for university students, staffers on the hill, newcomers to Ottawa and beyond…
- REGISTER HERE
We’re grateful to have received a Microgrant from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa allowing us to open this program up to non-members.
- Soulful Shacharit (Sat Sept 16th & Mon Sept 25th 10:45, TBA): The holidays are intended as a time for us to get in touch with the words of our hearts. With readings, movement and meditations, we will mark both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Musical accompaniment to be provided by Larry Tarof and our teens leaders.
- East End Tashlich (11:00, Stanley Park/New Edinburgh Fieldhouse): We’re heading eastward! To our friends in Old Edinburgh, Rockcliffe and Orleans, join us for the tashlich ritual including a shofar call and bagels with shmeer. Bienvenue à tous! REGISTER HERE
We’re grateful to have received a Microgrant from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa allowing us to open this program up to non-members.
Print the Complete List of Services
The complete list of services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is available to download and print.
Friday September 15th
Evening Children’s Service (5:00-6:00, Temple School Level)
This is a creative experience for young and middle aged children. In honour of the birthday of the world, we’ll sing our familiar holiday tunes and delve into the themes of the day. We’ll begin together and then split up by age group. Our teens will take a leadership role guiding the younger students.
Traditional Evening Service (8:00, Sanctuary)
With the shofar call and the lights of the Shabbat candles, we officially welcome the new year. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy with words of teaching from Rabbi Garten.
Saturday, September 16th
Morning Family Service (9:00-10:00, Sanctuary)
An abridged and creative service including holiday liturgical highlights and Torah reading intended for school age children and their families as well as for those looking to be outdoors. Offerings will be accessible to both the young and the young at heart. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy.
Traditional Morning Service (10:30, Sanctuary)
Features of the morning to include classic liturgy such as Avinu Malkeinu and Torah reading of the Binding of Isaac. Led by Rabbis Mikelberg and Garten, and Student Cantor Mulcahy with a sermon by Rabbi Mikelberg.
Tashlich at Mooney’s Bay (4:00 pm)
Join Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy as we gather at the shore to cleanse our souls and start the year fresh. Our ritual will include a shofar call. Meet at the Mooney’s Bay Parking Lot and bring your friends.
Sunday, September 24th
Kol Nidre Children’s Service (4:45-5:45, Temple School Level
This is a creative experience for young and middle aged children centering on learning from our mistakes. With traditional song and teaching, we’ll explore the themes of this important day. We’ll begin together and then split up by age group. Our teens will take a leadership role guiding the younger
Early Kol Nidre (6:30-7:30 pm, Sanctuary)
A slightly abridged service, that will include classical holiday liturgy as well as music from our instrumentalists: Dina Namer on piano and Paul Mareyn on cello performing Kol Nidre. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy with words of teaching by Rabbi Garten.
Traditional Kol Nidre (8:00, Sanctuary)
We’ll begin our soulful journey with the stirring instrumental music of the day performed by Dina Namer on piano and Paul Mareyn on cello, followed by the festival liturgy. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy with words of teaching by Rabbi Mikelberg.
Monday, September 25th
Morning Family Service (9:00-10:00, Sanctuary)
An abridged and creative service including holiday liturgical highlights and Torah reading intended for school age children and their families as well as for those looking to be outdoors. Offerings will be accessible to both the young and the young at heart. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy.
Traditional Morning Service (10:30 am, Sanctuary)
The morning service includes classic liturgy such as Vidui Confessional and Torah reading on Choosing Life. Led by Rabbis Mikelberg and Garten, and Student Cantor Mulcahy, with sermon by Rabbi Mikelberg.
Healing Service (1:30 pm, Sanctuary)
Led by Rabbi Garten and Larry Tarof, we’ll look to readings and music to walk the path of refuah (healing) at this season of renewal.
Afternoon Torah Service and Study (2:45, Sanctuary)
Our holiday Torah and Haftarah readings focus on choosing a path of holiness. We’re delighted to include a recording of Mort Bercovitch’s storytelling of Jonah. Rabbi Lithwick will follow with a study session on assuming our essential responsibilities at this season of renewal.
Ela Ezkarah Martyrology Service (4:00, Sanctuary)
Ela Ezkarah is a medieval poem which recounts the martyrdom of ten rabbis who were killed by the Romans following the destruction of the Second Temple. Rabbi Garten will lead us in a service reflecting on difficult periods of history, shining a lens on our own personal hardships.
Teen Discussion (4:30, Temple School Level)
On this day of introspection, teens are invited to join Rabbi Lithwick to reflect on the topic of coming of age.
Yizkor Memorial Service (5:00 pm, Sanctuary)
The holiday season can be difficult as we hold close our loved ones who have passed on. We will honour their memory as we grieve, reflect and carry the legacy of our loved ones forward. Led by Rabbi Mikelberg and Student Cantor Mulcahy with words of memory led by Rabbi Mikelberg.
Neila (6:15 pm, Sanctuary)
As the sun begins to set, we will join together for concluding prayers including the final shofar blasts.
Break-fast (7:00 pm, Temple School Level)
Let’s mark the end of Yom Kippur as a community. Bring your yummy dairy treats to share.