L’Shanah Tovah – Wishing You a Good Year!
Our High Holiday offerings are open to all – anyone and everyone is invited to join us!
As always, all of our High Holiday offerings are free. (To our friends, guests, and other non-members: a donation from the heart would be greatly appreciated.)
To help us plan for seating, refreshments, and other considerations, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED prior to attending. Please register as early as possible, and at least a day or two before the first service or event that you wish to attend.
After you register, you’re done! Your name will be on a list at the door; simply bring a form of ID. You do not need to register more than once.
Our High Holiday Covid Policy: We value the health and safety of all who worship, celebrate, and learn with us. We want to take care of each other and are particularly conscious of protecting the most vulnerable among us. For that reason, for each of our High Holiday services and events, we will have a special seating area with widely spaced chairs where mask wearing will be mandatory. For the rest of our seating area, masks will be welcome but not required.
For those who would be more comfortable attending from home, phone and Zoom options will be provided for most of our services and events, except where noted below. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999. To login by Zoom, click on the button:
If you call or Zoom in to the services, you’ll need copies of the Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur prayer books, each entitled, Mishkan HaNefesh. Temple Emanu-El members may check out High Holiday prayer books from us for the duration of the holidays by contacting our office before Sept 10 (emanuelrochester@gmail.com, 585-461-2000 ext 203). Both print and Kindle editions of the prayerbooks are available for purchase online.
This year we will again run our High Holidays Food and Clothing Drive by handing out empty bags on Rosh HaShanah and asking you to return them filled on Yom Kippur.
More About Our Food and Clothing Drive
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 585-461-2000, ext 203 or emanuelrochester@gmail.com.
For last minute announcements or changes throughout the High Holidays, click on the Updates button that follows:
Our High Holidays schedule is described below. A downloadable pdf version of our schedule can be accessed here:
Erev Rosh HaShanah Service
Friday, Sept 15, 8pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The service will be followed by an oneg. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Rosh HaShanah Morning Service
Saturday, Sept 16, 10am in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Tashlich
Saturday, Sept 16, 12:30pm at the Erie Canal beside the JCC
We will meet at the entrance to the canal from the Wolk Children’s Center parking lot area near Edgewood Avenue. Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our Tashlich service. The phone and Zoom options will not be available for this service.
Rosh HaShanah in the Woods
Saturday, Sept 16, 3 – 5pm at the Dawn Lipson Canalside Stage (aka the Tent) at the back of the JCC
Join us for an all-ages, all backgrounds, celebration of Rosh Hashanah as the birthday of the world. We’ll have music, movement, and opportunities for both fun and reflection as we connect to the earth-based origins of our Jewish tradition. Rabbi Drorah Setel and Rabbi Sandra Katz will lead this special program. The phone and Zoom options will not be available for this program.
2nd Day Rosh HaShanah Morning Service
Sunday, Sept 17, 10am in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Our service will be led by Rabbi Sandra Katz, congregant Xander Karsten, and our cantorial soloist, Charlene Sommers. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service
Sunday, Sept 24, 8pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist, and Ryan Silverstein will be our Kol Nidre soloist. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Yom Kippur Morning Service
Monday, Sept 25, 10am in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Program
Monday, Sept 25, 2 – 3pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Our afternoon program will focus on the history of the Days of Awe, with discussion and time for contemplation. The phone and Zoom options will not be available for this program.
Healing Service
Monday, Sept 25, 3:30 – 4pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The phone and Zoom options will not be available for this service.
Yizkor Service
Monday, Sept 25, 4pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Yom Kippur Closing Service
Monday, Sept 25, 5pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. The phone and Zoom options will be available for this service.
Break-the-Fast
Monday, Sept 25, 6pm in the lounge area by the cafe at the JCC (Enter the building through the doors that face Edgewood Avenue)
We will have an opportunity to chat and mingle while noshing on bagels and fruit.