HIGH HOLY DAYS 5781/2020
All are welcome to participate in Temple Emanuel’s Virtual High Holy Days
High Holy Day Guide
Our Religious Practices Committee has created a brief guide to help you create a meaningful environment for observing the High Holy Days in your home. Click Here to open the guide.
Prayer Books
Temple Emanuel is sold out of available copies of Mishkan Hanefesh. For options to purchase, please visit the CCAR Press website: Click Here
Yizkor Book (Book of Remembrance)
We recall the memories of our friends and family at the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur afternoon. Special to this year will be a Virtual Book of Remembrance. You may submit names for the Book using this form, no later than Wednesday, September 23.
Please consider a Donation to Temple Emanuel
There are no fees to participate in Temple Emanuel’s Virtual High Holy Days. Due to the pandemic, Temple Emanuel is facing significant financial challenges, and donations are appreciated to offset the costs of Virtual High Holy Days and to help us continue to offer programs and services. You may make your tax-deductible donation with this form.
The Blast – DC
Calling all Shofar Blowers – Join in The Blast DC! Click Here for more information on this area event, organized by local synagogues and co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel.
Manna – Tons of Food Campaign
Temple Emanuel has held very successful food drives over the past years in support of Manna. This year, Manna would like financial contributions in lieu of food. You can support this effort by sending a check to Manna or visiting their website.
Manna Food Center
12301 Old Columbia Pike, Ste 200
Silver Spring, MD 20904
HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
SELICHOT
Selichot | Saturday September 12 at 7:30 pm
ROSH HASHANAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah | Friday September 18 at 7:30 pm
We usher in the High Holy Days together as a virtual community. Rabbi Adam and Cantor Lindsay will lead the service and our President, Monte Mallin, will speak to the congregation. Pre-Registration Required
Service for families with young children | Saturday September 19 at 9:00 am
Click Here to open the song sheet for this service.
Cantor Lindsay, Rabbi Adam, and Rabbi Mark will lead a service for families with young children and offer a blessing for all babies born or adopted in the past year. This service is recommended for children up to 2nd grade, but all are welcome. Pre-Registration Required
Rosh Hashanah Service | Saturday September 19 at 10:00 am
Rabbi Adam and Cantor Lindsay will lead this service which follows the traditional structure of Rosh HaShanah services. It will include a Shofar Blowing Service. Pre-Registration Required
Alternative Folk Service with KESTY | Saturday September 19 at Noon | Pre-Registration Required
Click Here to open the Alternative Folk Service booklet.
Tashlich – In Person | Saturday September 19 from 1 – 4 pm
Click Here to open the service sheet for Tashlich.
This is an in-person event for Temple members. Social distancing protocols will be followed and masks are required. Information on the location of the Tashlich service and a link to sign up for a time slot can be found in the weekly community email.
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Shofar Blowing Service
On Sunday, September 20, Shofar Blowers and clergy will hold brief services around our neighborhoods. Social distancing protocols will be followed and masks are required. This is an in-person event for Temple members. Information on the times and locations can be found in the weekly community email.
SHABBAT SHUVAH
WRJ Service | Friday September 25 at 6:30 pm
Torah Study | Saturday September 26 at 9:00 am
Rabbi Adam will lead a session on Hosea 14, the Haftarah portion for Shabbat Shuvah.
Healing Service | Saturday September 26 at 10:00 am
Led by Rabbi Adam for those in need of healing and those who would like to pray for the healing of others.
YOM KIPPUR
Kol Nidre | Sunday September 27 at 7:30 pm
Our service will be led by Rabbi Adam and Cantor Lindsay, featuring Kol Nidre performed on cello. Pre-Registration Required
Service for families with young children | Monday September 28 at 9:00 am
Click here to open the song sheet for this service.
Cantor Lindsay, Rabbi Adam, and Rabbi Mark will lead a service for families with young children. This service is recommended for children up to 2nd grade, but all are welcome. Pre-Registration Required
Yom Kippur Service | Monday September 28 at 10:00 am
Rabbi Adam and Cantor Lindsay will lead this service which follows the traditional structure. Pre-Registration Required
Alternative Folk Service with KESTY | Monday September 28 at Noon | Pre-Registration Required
Click Here to open the Alternative Folk Service booklet.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Discussion Groups
Teshuvah and Racial Justice Discussion Group | Monday September 28 at 1:30 pm
The Torah teaches that even though we weren’t at Sinai ourselves, we are still bound by the moral precepts of the covenant established there. What is our debt to the past, for wrongs committed before we were born, but from which we still benefit? This session will explore these questions in light of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Pre-Registration Required
Teen Discussion Group | Monday September 28 at 1:30 pm
All teens are invited to meet our new Director of Youth Engagement, Rebecca Gurvets, as she leads an exciting conversation about sins and prayers form the times of the Temples to our own. This session will discuss ancient practices and look at what they could mean for us today. Pre-Registration Required
Afternoon Service – Lay Led | Monday September 28 at 3:00 pm
Click Here to open the service booklet.
Led by lay-leaders in loving memory of David Davidson z”l using the themes of our shared history and common purpose. The service will include a brief Torah service and excerpts from Jonah. Pre-Registration Required
Yizkor | Monday September 28 at 5:00 pm
Rabbi Adam and Cantor Lindsay will lead Yizkor. Those remembering a loved one will find comfort and community in Yizkor. Pre-Registration Required
Neilah and Havdallah | Monday September 28 at 5:45 pm (approximately)
All are welcome to join Rabbi Adam, Cantor Lindsay,and the rest of our Temple Emanuel team as we end Yom Kippur with a joyous and uplifting service appropriate for all ages. Bring your shofar and your Havdalah set! Pre-Registration Required
SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH
Sukkot Under the Stars | Friday October 2 at 6:30 pm | Gan Emanuel
Community Sukkot Festival Service | Saturday October 3 at 10:00 am
Simchat Torah and Consecration | Friday October 9 at 6:30 pm
Community Festival Shabbat Service, with Yizkor | Saturday October 10 at 10:00 am
We stand in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
As a Jewish community, we deplore the horrific killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Finan Berhae, Freddie Gray, and countless others who have lost their lives and been victimized by racism in this country. We stand in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. As Public Citizen noted: “As long as Black communities face the levels of racism and mortality that we see in this country, we are not free.” As Jews, we have a painful history of oppression and anti-semitism, and must be acutely aware of the need to listen, speak out and act in support of this struggle. We condemn the President’s inflammatory language, which has sown the seeds of hatred and division, and we yearn for political leadership based on the Torah’s ideals of peace, justice, and equality.
Please reach out to the Temple if you would like to get involved, and we will connect you with those who lead racial justice work in our community and beyond. (office@templeemanuelmd.org; young people can reach out to Rebecca at rgurvets@templeemanuelmd.org) Help us bring renewed energy and passion to this sacred and essential work. Our country depends on it.
Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser ~ Cantor Lindsay Kanter
Rabbi Mark Levine, Director of Congregational Learning ~ Dianne Neiman, Executive Director
Melissa Williamson, Director, Early Childhood ~ Rebecca Gurvets, Director of Youth Engagement
Anti-Racism Resources
Anti-Racism Resources [Temple Emanuel]
How to Discuss Race and Protest with Children [Temple Emanuel]
Statement of Solidarity with African-American Community [Jewish Community Relations Council]
Every Voice, Every Vote [Religious Action Center]
Lo Tirtzach: Black Lives Matter [Jews United For Justice]
Ways Your Congregation Can Act Now for Racial Justice [Union for Reform Judaism]
Witnessing Protests, Rage, and Our Torah’s Unbending Demand for Justice [Union for Reform Judaism]
COVID-19 Update
Temple Emanuel is committed to the health and safety of our community – within and outside of our Temple walls – and seeks help slow the spread of COVID-19. In the interest of public welfare, most in-person events have been suspended. We will announce changes to our operations online and through email.
Find out about online activities and how Temple Emanuel leadership can support you.
Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center (ECC): Limited Enrollment Available
Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center has limited availability in its in-person, full day, Reggio-Inspired child care program for children ages 2 – 5. Hours of operation are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
The program strictly adheres to CDC, MSDE and Montgomery County government Covid-19 guidelines. As an integral part of the larger Reform Jewish Temple Emanuel community that honors spiritual and intellectual growth, the program’s pedagogy reflects a commitment to social action, a deep respect for the diversity of our community and a deep appreciation of the natural environment. The Reggio-inspired program offers enriching experiences for children that foster creativity and collaborative learning while supporting children’s social-emotional development and growth.
For more information, contact Melissa Williamson, Director of Early Childhood at williamson@templeemanuelmd.org or (301) 942-2000.
We believe in maintaining a caring, inclusive community based on Jewish values and principles,
encouraging Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
We believe in promoting Jewish learning as a lifelong process for ourselves, our families, and
our children.
We believe in strengthening our Jewish faith, commitment, and observance.
We believe in fostering the love of Judaism and the preservation of Judaism and the Jewish people.
As a Reform Jewish Congregation, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, we believe in adherence to the concepts of God, Torah, and Israel.
