Worship

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  • Clergy Sermons 5772

High Holy Days 5772/2011-2012

High Holy Days Preparation

The Rhythm of the High Holy Days with Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz
Thursday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. in the Beit Knesset
From Shabbat Nachamu, early in August, until the Festival of Sukkot, in late October, Jews move through a cycle that connects them with spirit, nature and community. Come and learn how this all works and how it can enrich your life.

High Holy Days Torah Readings with Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Thursday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Lounge
Join us as we explore the Torah readings that are included in the High Holy Day liturgy. We will look backward at which Torah readings were selected by our Sages to be read on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and then we will jump forward to examine how changes in Torah readings were made by Reformers from the 19th century until today.

S’lichot Screening of the Film “Between Two Worlds”
Saturday, September 24
9:00 p.m. Screening of “Between Two Worlds” in the Social Hall followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and dessert reception
11:00 p.m. S’lichot Service in the Sanctuary
Join us first for a screening of the acclaimed film “Between Two Worlds”, brought to us by local filmmakers Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman, followed by a discussion of the film and a dessert reception. Afterwards we will enter the contemplative, introspective mood of the High Holy Days during our late-night prayers of the S’lichot (“petitions”) Service. The service will begin a 11:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
About the Film:
Who speaks for a divided community at the crossroads? “Between Two Worlds” is a groundbreaking personal exploration of the community and family divisions that are redefining American Jewish identity and politics. The filmmakers’ own families are battlegrounds over loyalty to Israel, interpretations of the Holocaust, intermarriage and conversion, liberal and left-wing politics,  and a secret communist past. Filmed in the United States and Israel, this first person documentary by award-winning filmmakers Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman begins with a near riot at a Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco, reveals the agonizing battle over divestment from Israel on a university campus, and shows a crackdown on dissent in Israel itself. The film aims to re-frame the terms of debate and provide a vehicle for open conversations about difficult issues. Snitow and Kaufman’s past documentaries, including “Blacks and Jews” and “Thirst” have all appeared on PBS national series and at major film festivals. More about the film at http://btwthemovie.org/.

Graveside Gathering of Prayer and Remembrance
Sunday, September 25, 10:00 a.m.
We will join together at Isaiah Garden at Oakmont Memorial Park, and at Gan Shalom Cemetery for a ceremony of remembrance led by our clergy, which will be followed by private time to visit the graves of our loved ones. This event will happen simultaneously at both locations.

Erev Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, September 28

8:00 p.m. Service in the Sanctuary
New for the New Year - a service of inspirational readings and contemporary instrumental and vocal sacred music designed to awaken our souls to the solemn, transformational and uplifting themes of the Holy Days. We will be using a Machzor created by our clergy, which will include creative and contemplative poetry.

Rosh Hashanah Morning: Thursday, September 29

8:30 a.m. Tot Service in the CCJDS Makom
8:30 a.m. Family Service in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Morning Service in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Teen Service & Rosh Hashanah Program in the Adult Lounge
11:00 a.m. Tashlich & Kulanu Family Picnic at the Lafayette Reservoir

The early service in our sanctuary will be modeled after the Family Service that was held at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC) during the past few years. Participatory and informal in nature, it will be open to families with children in grades K-7, as well as all who prefer early morning worship. Tot Services, designed especially for our youngest children (0-5 years) and their parents and grandparents, will take place in the Makom on the second floor of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School. No tickets are required for this service, but you must fill out the online ticket form or visit our office to obtain a parking pass before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28. The late morning service will feature the Temple Choir and will envelop worshipers with the majesty and beauty of Temple Isaiah’s High Holiday worship. Additional parking for this service will be available at LOPC (49 Knox Drive, Lafayette) with a shuttle to Temple Isaiah. Our Teen Service and Rosh Hashanah Program led by Rabbi Alissa Forrest, Youth Director, Ira Rosenberg, and Temple Isaiah’s teens is for 8th-12th graders and will include services and informal programming emphasizing the themes of Rosh Hashanah. Tashilch will take place shortly after the conclusion of the early morning service followed by a festive picnic at the Lafayette Reservoir. Click here for more information about Tashlich.

Rosh Hashanah Second Day: Friday, September 30

9:00 a.m. Second Day Rosh Hashanah Service in the Beit Knesset

Erev Yom Kippur: Friday, October 7

5:15 p.m. Kol Nidre Early Service in the Sanctuary
8:15 p.m. Kol Nidre Late Service in the Sanctuary

Yom Kippur: Saturday, October 8

8:15 a.m. Early Service with Yizkor in the Sanctuary
8:30 a.m. Tot Service in the CCJDS Makom
8:30 a.m. Family Service at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church
11:45 a.m. Late Service with Yizkor in the Sanctuary
11:45 a.m. Teen Service & High Holy Day Program in the Adult Lounge
2:00-4:00 p.m. Kesher Isaiah Community Conversations in the Talmud Torah Center, 2nd Floor
12:00-4:00 p.m. Sacred Chanting in the Beit Knesset
4:00 p.m. Afternoon Service: A Confession for our Time in the Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. Neilah Service in the Sanctuary

On Yom Kippur we will, as in years past, have both an Early and Late Service in our Sanctuary on Kol Nidre and in the morning. Family Service will be held at LOPC, our teen program will once again meet in the Adult Lounge, and our Tot Services will take place in the Makom on the second floor of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School. During the quiet hours there will be chanting in the Bet Knesset and Kesher Isaiah community conversations in spaces to be announced. The afternoon service will incorporate a contemporary liturgy and an opportunity for personal prayer in front of the open ark. Neilah, the concluding service for Yom Kippur, will follow directly after the afternoon service.

Sukkot

Thursday, October 13
9:00 a.m. Sukkot Service in the Sukkah
Friday, October 14
5:45 p.m. Bring-Your-Own Sukkot Picnic Dinner in the Social Hall
6:30 p.m. Shabbat-Sukkot Service in the Sanctuary followed by kid-friendly Oneg with games and activities.

Simchat Torah & Shemini Atzeret

Wednesday, October 19
6:30 p.m. Simchat Torah Service & Religious School Consecration in the Sanctuary
Thursday, October 20
9:00 a.m. Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Service with Yizkor in the Beit Knesset

Our month of Holy Days continues with the celebration of the harvest in our Sukkah and dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah. Join us on Thursday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m. for a morning service in the Sukkah. Then celebrate with us on Friday, October 14 at 5:45 p.m. with a bring-your-own picnic dinner, a Shabbat-Sukkot service at 6:30 followed by an Oneg with a kid-friendly activities. Join us for our Simchat Torah Service & Religious School Consecration in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. Come sing and dance with the Torah scrolls, as we celebrate restarting our cycle of Torah readings. We will also consecrate our Kindergarten and new Religious School students as they begin their lifelong study of Torah. Join us the following day, Thursday, October 20, at 9:00 a.m. for our Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Service with Yizkor in the Beit Knesset.

Ticket Policies

High Holy Days tickets are issued at no charge to Temple Isaiah members whose 2011-2012 membership commitment balance is current.  Members are adults living in the household and children living at home through age 26. Tickets for adult children of members age 27 and up are $75. Tickets for adult guests of members are $250.

Members of other URJ (Reform) and USCJ (Conservative) synagogues who submit verification of membership are eligible for tickets without charge.

Tickets will be available to nonmembers at $300 each for all services. Please call our office at (925) 283-8575 for more information.

NEW THIS YEAR! Members and paying guests will be issued a ticket pass that will allow them entry to any service rather than tickets to specific (i.e. early or late) services. Attendees will be permitted to mix and match early and late services, and will indicate their choices on the online form. Ticket passes should not be used by anyone other than the ticket holder.

Passes are not required for Tot services, and there is no charge to attend these services. However, attendees will need to obtain a security pass to get on the property and must fill out the online ticket form.

Seats are not pre-assigned. If you have special seating needs you may indicate this on the online ticket form. It is highly recommended that those with special seating needs arrive early.

Tickets will be mailed in early September. If you have completed the online form and have not received your tickets by September 15 please call our office.