Today is April 24, 2024 /
Today is April 24, 2024 /
Shabbat Candlelighting This Week: 7:25pm | Shabbat Ends: 8:28pm
The following services has been developed under the guidelines of the COVID-19 Task Force with the safety of our community our top priority*. This year, we are excited to offer options for a diverse array of services, designed to provide opportunities for all congregants to participate in a service and format that is most comfortable for you.
We are happy to offer in-person adult services that will be held both in the building as well as outdoors on the WJC property. We will also have services that will accommodate the needs of families as well as children of all ages (see reverse.) Pre-registration is required to reserve seats in the venue of your choice.
Indoor Service
All services in the main sanctuary will also be available on live stream
This service will take place in the main sanctuary and be led by clergy and lay leaders. It will follow a normative High Holiday service outline as presented in our Mahzor Lev Shalem. The indoor service will begin with P’Sukai Dezimra and Shacharit and continue through Musaf. One of our rabbis will deliver the sermon in this service each day.
On Yom Kippur this service will include Kol Nidre on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:45pm; the Yizkor Memorial Service on the morning of the 16; and the Neilah service at 6:15pm. Minchah on Yom Kippur (September 16) will only take place at the indoor service and will be at 5:15pm.
PARTICIPATE If you would like to read Torah, have an honor, or participate in the planning or running of the indoor services, please email Ian Winters at iwinters@klestadt.com.
Outdoor Service
Our outdoor tent service will follow the same basic outline as the indoor service and will be lay-led. On Yom Kippur, this service will include the Yizkor Memorial Service. Led by WJC President Seth Schafler, we are grateful to the organizers of past lay-led services (the study service) for making this service possible. The outdoor service will begin with Torah reading and continue through Musaf.
On Yom Kippur this service will include Kol Nidre on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:45pm; the Yizkor Memorial Service on the morning of the 16; and the Neilah service at 6:15pm.
PARTICIPATE If you would like to read Torah, have an honor, or participate in the planning or running of the outdoor service, please email Sarene Shanus at spshanus@gmail.com or Harold Treiber at harold.treiber@gmail.com.
NEW FOR 5782: Return, Renew, Rejoice Monday, September 6, from 5:30-6:30pm
Also within one of our outdoor tents, we are thrilled to offer a new contemporary service. Join us for an opportunity to bring in the holidays together with singing accompanied by instruments and spiritual learning. Following the service, join us for dessert to bring in the year with sweetness and end the evening with Minchah/Ma’ariv at 7:00pm.
Tashlich at the Harbor Tuesday, September 7, at 5:30pm
Join us at Harbor Island Park on the first day of Rosh Hashanah as we throw bread crumbs into the water to represent the casting off of our sins. We are excited to gather again as a unified community as we hear the call of the shofar. Tashlich will be followed by Minchah/Ma’ariv at the synagogue at 6:15pm.
*Please note: All plans are subject to change based on new guidelines that may be recommended by the Task Force.
For those who prefer to attend services remotely, we will broadcast our indoor service via live stream, making it possible to participate in the High Holiday services from the comfort of home. This one-way stream will be accessible through our website and you will be able to open the link at the beginning of the holiday and leave it untouched for the rest of the holiday. No registration required.
Family Service Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur 9:30 to 10:20am
We are excited to offer an engaging outdoor family service led by Rabbi Dalton. This service is ideal for families with children from Kindergarten through 6th grade.
Youth Services and Programs Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur 10:30am to 12:00pm
Children ages two through 7th grade are invited to join their peers indoors for an age appropriate program which includes Tefillot (prayer) and various high holiday activities. All participants will be asked to follow the safety protocols set by WJC.
Rosh Hashanah Torah for Tots Rosh Hashanah Day 1 at 4:30 PM
Little ones along with grown-ups are invited to join us in one of our outdoor tents to sing, dance, and celebrate the new year together. Following our program, we invite you to join the community for Tashlich at the Harbor. This program is open to the community and to all ECC families.
Childcare
We will offer childcare on both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prior to the start of family services from 9:30 to 10:30am.
Teen Programs Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & Yom Kippur at 11:00am
WJC Teens will join together in the tent for engaging, meaningful and varied High Holiday programming which will include prayer, reflection and conversation.
Teen Tashlich Gathering Rosh Hashanah Day 1 at 4:45pm
Meet Rabbi Dalton at Harbor Island Park on the first day of Rosh Hashanah for a special teen Tashlich gathering just before the WJC community Tashlich. Be a part of our WJC teen community as we symbolically cast off our sins and reflect on what the holiday means for us.
All services require advance registration. WJC member families will automatically have seating according to their membership and can include children under the age of 22 at no charge. Additional seating for extended family and guests will be at a single rate of $180/seat for all services. We will do our best (with no promises) to seat families in the same vicinity with those who they have been seated near in previous years. Our goal is to inform congregants of your seat assignments by August 15.
Please register at wjcenter.org/HighHolidays2021
All service requests must be submitted no later than Friday, July 9.
For those who are not comfortable filling out forms online, please call the synagogue office at 914-698-2960.
For questions regarding services or service times, please email: holidays@wjcenter.org
Information about Honors, Ushering, the Yizkor Booklet, Holiday Greetings, Social Action Volunteer Opportunities,
and programming before and after the High Holiday season will be addressed in a follow-up mailing.
Westchester Jewish Center welcomes your contribution to any of our listed funds.