Temple Emanu-El’s
5784 High Holy Day Services
All services will be available via livestream. For those who wish to worship only outside, services that take place in the Sanctuary will also be available to simulcast in the tent.
Rosh Hashanah
Erev Rosh Hashanah – Friday, September 15 at 5:00 PM
Join our clergy outside or by live-stream to welcome the High Holy Day Season.
Rosh Hashanah Intergenerational Kulanu Service – Saturday, September 16 at 8:45 AM in the Tent
We offer a prayer service we call Kulanu, meaning “all of us”. This unique worship experience is open to attendees of all ages, though it is designed as a prayer option for those families with students in grades 1 – 5. This interactive and intergenerational service includes a youth-oriented prayer book, guitar accompaniment, as well as stories and meaningful discussion. At Kulanu, we intend kids and adults to share a time of connection, celebration, and awe.
Rosh Hashanah Sanctuary Service -Saturday, September 16 at 10:45 AM in the Sanctuary
These services are the core of Temple Emanu-El’s worship experience. They aim to inspire and engage worshippers through the fullness of the High Holy Day liturgy, Torah and other scriptural readings, and sermons. Worship is oriented toward adults, but those of all ages are very welcome.
Rosh Hashanah Tiny Tot – Saturday, September 16 at 3:00 PM
Formerly known as “Family Services”, Tiny Tot Services are geared toward pre-readers. It is a lively, celebratory experience intended to bring the themes and meaning of the High Holy Days to young ones and their families. Services will be led by our clergy and a song leader and are about 30 minutes in length.
Rosh Hashanah Second Day Services followed by Tashlich – Sunday, September 17 at 10:00 AM in the Tent. Tashlich will be located in Mindowaskin Park following services.
Our service on the second day of Rosh Hashana takes place outdoors in our tent. This more informal and very participatory service brings together beautiful music with inspirational readings.
Following services on the second day of Rosh Hashanah join us as we symbolically cast away our sins to start the year fresh. This ritual is fun and meaningful for all ages, all you need are a few pieces of bread.
Bring your own picnic or purchase a boxed lunch that you can pick up at the park! Each box is $12 and comes with chips, fruit, and water. Lunch options include the following:
• Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil wrap with balsamic dressing
• Tuna Wrap
• Grilled Chicken Tossed Salad with balsamic dressing on the side
Don’t forget to pack a blanket/chair to sit on!
In Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Memorial Service at the Cemetery – Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00 PM at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge
As we approach the High Holy Days, our thoughts often turn to those who will not be by our side. Their absence is felt at the dinner table or at synagogue. Visiting the graves of our loved ones at this time of year helps us feel connected to them through the power of memory. Join Temple Emanu-El clergy at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge (1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge) for the Cemetery Memorial Service. Click here for directions. Our congregation will be holding a communal memorial service at Temple Emanu-El’s section at Beth Israel Cemetery.
Yom Kippur Services
Pre-Kol Nidre Meditation – Sunday, September 24 at 5:00 PM
Before our pre-fast meal, we will have the opportunity to gather in-person or on live-stream to set our intentions for Yom Kippur. Join us for a 30 minutes service with cello, meditations, and candle lighting to mark the holiness of the moment. A perfect way to begin this holy night for all ages.
Kol Nidre Service – Sunday, September 24 at 8:00 PM
The evening service of Yom Kippur is known as Kol Nidre. The service takes its name from the prayer recited at the beginning of the service. Kol Nidre (“All Vows”) is actually a legal formula, developed during the medieval ages, which absolved one from vows made under duress.
Kol Nidre is recited three times, often while the Ark is open, and the Torah scrolls are held by those representing the leadership of the community. The haunting melody to which Kol Nidre is sung provides a solemn and moving backdrop to this holiest of days.
Kol Nidre is also the only night of the Jewish calendar when a tallit (prayer shawl) is worn. In fact, it is traditional to wear a tallit for all of the Yom Kippur services.
Yom Kippur Intergenerational Kulanu Service – Monday, September 25 at 8:45 AM in the Tent
We offer a prayer service we call Kulanu, meaning “all of us”. This unique worship experience is open to attendees of all ages, though it is designed as a prayer option for those families with children in grades 1-5. This interactive and intergenerational service includes a youth-oriented prayer book, guitar accompaniment, as well as stories and meaningful discussion. At Kulanu, we intend kids and adults to share a time of connection, celebration, and awe.
Yom Kippur Sanctuary Service – Monday, September 25 in the Sanctuary
This is the core of Temple Emanu-El’s Yom Kippur worship experience. It aims to inspire and engage worshippers through the fullness of the High Holy Day liturgy, Torah and other scriptural readings, and sermons. Worship is oriented toward adults, but those of all ages are very welcome.
Yom Kippur Tiny Tot Service – Monday, September 25 at 2:00 PM in the Tent
Formerly known as “Family Services”, Tiny Tot Services are geared toward pre-readers. It is a lively, celebratory experience intended to bring the themes and meaning of the High Holy Days to young ones and their families. Services will be led by our clergy and a song leader are about 30 minutes in length.
Discussion Groups -Monday, September 25 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Locations vary
This year we will be offering many different learning sessions for those looking to enrich their Yom Kippur experience. These sessions are facilitated by members of our congregation and cover a wide range of topics including Israel, Jewish texts, and contemporary issues. The learning sessions will highlight aspects of the Yom Kippur Afternoon service including reading of Torah and the Book of Jonah as well as an in-depth look at different sections of the service.
At 2:00 PM there will be a Teen Discussion Group: Teens, Text, Yeshiva and Taylor
Teens, Text, Teshuva, & Taylor – Each year Judaism encourages us to be honest and ask ourselves if “hi, I’m the problem, it’s me,” so that we don’t find ourselves getting “older but just never wiser.” Join Adam Cohen and other teens on Yom Kippur at 2pm as they discuss the themes of the High Holidays through songs and their lyrics. Register here.
Afternoon Services (Healing Service, Yizkor, and Neilah) – Monday, September 25 beginning at 3:00 PM
Healing Service – On Yom Kippur, our clergy grounded in our Jewish tradition will lead a meditative service that focuses on the healing of mind, body, and spirit. We will use song, prayers, and meditations to provide comfort to those who need healing and those who take care of the sick.
Yizkor – Led by our Clergy, this is a reflective memorial service to remember and honor our loved ones who have died.
Neilah – Join our clergy outside in the tent or by livestream for the concluding service on Yom Kippur. We will end the service with havdalah and the sounding of the shofar.
Reverse Tashlich – Sunday, October 1 at 11:00 AM
On Rosh HaShanah, Jews around the world participate in the ancient ritual of Tashlich. We go to a body of water and symbolically cast off the sins of the past year by into the water to start the New Year with purity of heart. However, this is not the only time humans cast their “sins” into the sea. Every year, approximately six million tons of human-made trash enter the water, posing health and safety hazards to the animals that call the sea their home. Marine debris is a blatant violation of the fundamental Jewish ethical principle Bal Tashchit. Repair the Sea adds a modern ritual to the Jewish tradition: a local clean-up on the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Also known as Reverse Tashlich. For more info click here.
The commandment ba’al tashchit, instructs us not to destroy. Mindful of our role in caring for the environment, join Temple Emanu-El members as we help clean up a local park area.
