L’Shanah Tovah – Wishing you a good year!
We’re thrilled to announce that our High Holiday services and events will be in-person!
As always, all of our High Holiday offerings are free. (Of course, we’re happy to accept contributions, which while not expected, are always welcome.) Our High Holiday offerings are also open to all – anyone and everyone is invited to join us!
To help us plan for seating, refreshments, and other services, registration is required prior to attending. Please try to register at least a day or two before the first service or event you wish to attend. After you register once, you’re done. Members, you will receive membership cards in the mail. Guests, you will receive guest passes; your pass will come in the mail (if you register early enough) or else it will be waiting for you at our door. (If you register online too close to the service or event you wish to go to, we may need to take registration information at the door….)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR OUR HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES AND EVENTS
Our services and events, with the exception of Tashlich (on Rosh HaShanah), will take place in the Dawn Lipson Canalside Stage, which is in the tent behind the JCC. There will be signage directing you to both our parking area and the tent.
Parking: Temple Emanu-El members and guests may park anywhere. Click here to see an arial view of the JCC showing the closest parking areas to the tent, along with handicapped spaces. There will be a greeter near the entrance to the tent asking to see your membership card/guest pass.
We value the health of our congregants and of all those who come to worship, celebrate, and learn with us. Our Board of Trustees has therefore instituted the following policy to keep us all safe:
- If you are 12 and older and are vaccinated, you must wear a mask whether we are inside or outside.
- If you are 12 and older and are not vaccinated, please join us from your home virtually, via our Zoom options.
- If you are under 12, you must wear a mask, if able.
- Wearing a mask correctly is essential. Click here for detailed information about masking.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
We are providing a a Zoom option for our services so that if you wish, you may attend from home. The Zoom information is provided below, under the entry for each service. To access online copies of our High Holidays prayer books, click here. Members, if you would prefer to check out a High Holidays prayer book from us, contact our office (emanuelrochester@gmail.com, 585-461-2000 ext 203).
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 returned them filled on Yom Kippur. Click here for more details.
In case of severe weather conditions (e.g. driving rain or thunder and lightning), check your email and/or this page for updates.
Finally, note that this page may evolve as more information is added, so be sure to check back from time to time.
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Erev Rosh HaShanah Service
Monday, Sept 6, 8pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999. Please make sure that you are registered by clicking here: High Holiday Registration.
Rosh HaShanah Morning Service
Tuesday, Sept 7, 10am
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999. If you’ll be using Zoom, click here to download a discussion handout that you’ll need. If you need childcare, please contact Gail (585-487-6070, gegvail@gmail.com) as soon as possible with your children’s ages so that we can plan ahead.
First Tashlich Service
Tuesday, Sept 7, 12pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our Tashlich service at the canal adjacent to the JCC. For the Tashlich handout (which will also be available at the water), click here. Note that for those who plan to come to our afternoon Rosh HaShanah events, there will be a Second Tashlich at the close, which will be especially family-friendly.
Lunch Together
Tuesday, Sept 7, 1pm
Due to Covid concerns, we’ve decided that the best plan is for everyone to bring their own lunch. We’ll have individual portions of water and juice available. And we’ll be together!
Rosh HaShanah Afternoon Workshops
Tuesday, Sept 7, 2pm
Rabbi Sandra Katz and Professor David Schwartz will start us off with music and singing. The workshops will be highly experiential and participatory, and will offer crafts, meditation, discussion, and nature walking – take your pick!
Crafts, led by Gail Vail – A selection of Rosh Hashanah themed arts and craft projects for all age groups.
Meditation, led by Linda Bloch – To help quiet your mind and open your heart. Beginners are encouraged to join this event.
Hebrew Alphabet Exploration – Spiritual Meanings of the Hebrew Letters, led by Denise Lippa. We will acquaint ourselves with some of the vast mysticism embedded in the beautiful Hebrew letters, choosing one or two to honor with “hiddur mitzvah,” enhancing a Jewish ritual by appealing to our senses.
Nature walk, led by Rabbi Setel – The walk will incorporate prayers of gratitude.
Second Tashlich Service
Tuesday, Sept 7, 4pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our second Tashlich service at the canal adjacent to the JCC. This service will be especially family-friendly. For the Tashlich handout (which will also be available at the water), click here.
Rosh HaShanah Morning Service
Wednesday, Sept 8, 10am
Leslie Schwartz will lead our service and Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999.
Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service
Wednesday, Sept 15, 8pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. Glenna Curren will be our Kol Nidre cello soloist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999. If you haven’t already registered for our High Holidays services and events, click here: High Holiday Registration.
Yom Kippur Morning Service
Thursday, Sept 16, 10am
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999. If you need childcare, please contact Gail (585-487-6070, gegvail@gmail.com) as soon as possible with your children’s ages so that we can plan ahead.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Workshops: T’shuvah – Restoring Relationships
Thursday, Sept 16, 12-2pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will offer guided meditation, study, and discussion related to t’shuvah – restoring relationships.
Experiential T’shuvah
Thursday, Sept 16, 2pm
This event will be led by Temple Emanu-El members who have an acting background. They will present improv skits around situations where a person may be seeking repentance (t’shuvah – return). Suggestions received ahead of time or during the performances will be the basis of the skits. Discussions around repentance and reconciliation will be woven in. This should be an incredible and memorable experience for those who attend!
Yizkor Healing Service
Thursday, Sept 16, 3:45pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. This service will focus on all losses that we’ve had during the previous year, including those due to the pandemic. For our Yizkor booklet, click here. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999.
Yom Kippur Closing Service
Thursday, Sept 16, 5pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our service, Charlene Sommers will be our cantorial soloist, and Bob Dietch will be our keyboardist. To login to the service via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 868 3046 2999.
Break-the-Fast…at home….
Blame covid….We’ve decided that it’s best for us to part after services and break our fasts at home.