Celebrating the 75th High Holy Days at Temple Emanu-El
5786
This year marks a milestone in Temple Emanu-El's history as together we celebrate our 75th High Holy Days. Join us as we embark on the sacred journey of the 5786 High Holy Days. Together we will welcome this season of reflection, renewal, and reconnection. We hope to inspire you with meaningful experiences, inspiring services, and opportunities for personal and communal growth. We look forward to celebrating our history and our vibrant Jewish community.
Tickets and Registration
Preparing for the High Holy Days During Elul
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Volunteer Opportunities
Join us in creating a spiritually enriching atmosphere by becoming a High Holy Day volunteer! Your involvement will play an essential role in making these sacred days even more meaningful for everyone in our congregation. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer during the High Holy Days and fall festivals.
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Book of Remembrance
It is a Jewish tradition to remember beloved departed family members at Yom Kippur. Temple Emanu-El gives you that opportunity with our annual Yom Kippur Book of Remembrance, which contains the names of those whose memories we cherish and wish to honor at this sacred time.
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9/11 Memorial
Thursday, September 11 at 7:30 PM
Join our congregation for an maariv/evening service as we remember the lives lost on September 11th, 2001.
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Wrestling with Suffering: A Lunchtime Study of the Book of Job
Friday, September 12 at 12:00 PM
Join Rabbi Ethan Prosnit and Rev. Alison V. Philip from First United Methodist Church of Westfield for a thought-provoking, faith-based conversation as we explore the timeless questions raised by the Book of Job. Members of FUMC will be joining us for this conversation.
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Shabbat with Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ President
Friday, September 12. Pre-Neg at 5:00 PM and Services at 6:00 PM
For 75 years, Temple Emanu-El has been a vital force in the Reform Movement. Our congregants have proudly served on the North American Board of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the Commission on Social Action, the ARZA Board, and most notably, our own Rabbi Eric Yoffie led the URJ as President from 1996 to 2012. Temple Emanu-El stands as a model of what an engaged, creative, and vibrant Reform synagogue can be.
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Selichot
Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 PM at CBI
Selichot helps us set our intentions for the holiest days of the Jewish calendar. The moving prayers and haunting melodies help us open up our hearts. This year, join us for a powerful and moving conversation with journalist and author Lee Yaron as she discusses her book10/7: 100 Human Stories. Through the voices of survivors, first responders, families, and witnesses, Yaron captures the deeply personal and human toll of October 7. Books are available to purchase for $18.
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Round Challah Bake
Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 PM
Do you want to learn how to braid a beautiful round challah for Rosh Hashanah? Then join us as we learn how to make beautiful challah together! Everyone will leave with the challah they braided to enjoy at home! The cost to attend is $10 for one person, $20 for two people, $30 for three people or $36 for four or more people. -
Shofar Blowing Class
Wednesday, September 17 at 5:45 PM
A central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar. While every Jew is commanded to hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, thankfully we’re not all required to learn how to blow one. But for those wanting to give their lungs the ultimate workout, come and learn with Shari Rothstein. Please bring your own shofar!
New Offerings and Classes in 5786!
This year there will be new offerings and classes on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that will hopefully deepen our connections to the High Holy Days. Classes will include a mindfulness/meditation offering on Rosh Hashanah morning, an art activity, and musical meditation service on Yom Kippur afternoon.
Rosh Hashanah
Mindfulness Experience - Setting our Intentions for the New Year
Tuesday, September 23 at 10:00 AM
We are offering a 20-minute mindfulness practice before the start of Rosh Hashanah sanctuary services, led by mindfulness coach and temple member Amy Rollins. This session offers a chance to pause, breathe, reflect, and ground ourselves amidst the energy of the High Holy Days. Together, we’ll create space for calm, presence, and intention as we prepare to enter the new year with open hearts and clear minds.
Yom Kippur
Creativity for the Soul: Hands on Art Experience
Thursday, October 2 at 1:30 PM
New this year! Shari Seltzer an artist and a congregant will lead an art experience for teens and adults, reflecting on the themes of the High Holy Days and our own personal journeys and reflections. No artist experience is necessary. All supplies will be provided.
Please plan to arrive on time and stay for full session. This is not a drop in experience. Register in advance. Maximum class size is 12 participants.
Musical Meditation
Thursday, October 2 at 2:30 PM
This Yom Kippur afternoon, we are programming a new dimension of sacred time during our Yom Kippur Afternoon services- a Musical Meditation featuring the diverse talents of our very own community.
This non-liturgical gathering offers a soulful pause- an opportunity to reflect, listen, connect, and heal through music. With a spirit that blends the holiness of the sanctuary with the creativity of a soulful salon, each offering will be shaped by what our talented congregants choose to share- Jewish, secular, or somewhere in between.
If you are interested in performing, sharing a piece, or being accompanied, please contact Suzanne Moore at smoore@tewnj.org. Come be moved (and maybe even surprised) by the gifts among us.
High Holy Day Services & Programs
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SANCTUARY SERVICES
The core of Temple Emanu-El’s worship experience.
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KULANU INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE
This unique worship experience is designed as a prayer option for those families with students in grades K-5.
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TINY TOT
This service is a celebratory experience intended to bring the themes and meaning of the High Holy Days to young ones and their families. This service is open to the community - membership is not required. If you are not a member, you can register for a ticket here.
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TASLICH + PICNIC
After the Second Day Rosh Hashanah Service, we will come together as one community for Tashlich followed by a Picnic in Mindowaskin Park. Purchase a lunch here.
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Kulanu Kol Nidre Service
This intergenerational service touches upon the power of Kol Nidre. We’ll hear the cello, the ancient words of Kol Nidre, and turn to our liturgy as we mark the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This service is geared towards families with elementary aged children.
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YOM KIPPUR DISCUSSION GROUPS
Enrich your Yom Kippur experience during a discussion group covering a wide range of topics including Israel, Jewish texts, and contemporary issues.
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YIZKOR AND NEILAH
Yizkor is a reflective memorial service to remember and honor our loved ones who have died and Neilah concludes Yom Kippur.
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FOOD DRIVE
During Rosh Hashanah, please take a bag to bring back on Yom Kippur filled with non-perishable food to support the Westfield Food Pantry. Any non-perishable food items are greatly appreciated.
Learn More About Temple Emanu-El’s High Holy Day Services and Programs
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Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 PM at CBI
Selichot helps us set our intentions for the holiest days of the Jewish calendar. The moving prayers and haunting melodies help us open up our hearts. This year, join us for a powerful and moving conversation with journalist and author Lee Yaron as she discusses her book 10/7: 100 Human Stories. Through the voices of survivors, first responders, families, and witnesses, Yaron captures the deeply personal and human toll of October 7. This collection of firsthand accounts offers a window into the experiences of those whose lives were forever changed, honoring their resilience and memories with compassion and clarity. Books are available to purchase for $18.
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Monday, September 22 at 5:00 PM - Tent
We welcome in the High Holy Days with our Erev Rosh Hashanah service. It’s the perfect way to usher these holidays in with our entire congregation. This service is for families, adults and children that lasts about 75 minutes. -
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 - Tuesday, September 23 at 10:45 AM - Sanctuary
Yom Kippur - Thursday, October 2 at 10:45 AM - Sanctuary -
Kulanu meaning “all of us” is a unique worship experience that is open to attendees of all ages, though it is designed as a prayer option for those families with students in grades K – 5. This interactive and intergenerational service includes a family-oriented prayer book, guitar accompaniment, as well as stories. At Kulanu, we intend kids and adults to share a time of connection, celebration, and awe.
Rosh Hashanah - Tuesday, September 23 at 8:45 AM - Tent
Yom Kippur - Thursday, October 2 at 8:45 AM - Tent
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This service is a celebratory experience intended to bring the themes and meaning of the High Holy Days to young ones (ages 0 - 6) and their families. This service is open to the community - membership is not required
Rosh Hashanah - Tuesday, September 23 at 3:00 PM - Tent
Yom Kippur - Thursday, October 2 at 2:00 PM - TentMembers – Please register here.
Not a member yet? Register here. -
Friday, October 4 at 10:00 AM
Our Second Day Rosh Hashanah service is a more casual experience in our Tent. A host of musicians and a mix of melodies make this service both spiritually uplifting and very participatory.
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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. We will gather in Mindowaskin Park for a short service and the ritual of Tashlich. Perfect for all ages.
Wednesday, September 24 starting 20 minutes after Rosh Hashanah Second Day Service - Mindowaskin Park
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After Tashlich, join us for a picnic in Mindowaskin Park.
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
Bagel and Cream cheese
Grilled Chicken Tossed Salad with balsamic dressing on the side
Don’t forget to pack a blanket/chair to sit on! Click here if you would like to purchase a meal.
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Friday, September 26 at 6:00 PM - Sanctuary
Shabbat Shuvah is the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Known as the Sabbath of Return, this service helps us to set our intentions as we enter the most sacred moments of the Jewish calendar.
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Monday, September 29 at 5:30 PM at Beth Israel 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.
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Wednesday, October 1 at 5:00 PM - Sanctuary
New this High Holy Days! This is a a 40-minute intergenerational service that touches upon the power of Kol Nidre. We’ll hear the cello, the ancient words of Kol Nidre, and turn to our liturgy as we mark the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This service is geared towards families with elementary aged children.
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Wednesday, October 1 at 7:45 PM - Sanctuary
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.
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Thursday, October 2 starting at at 1:30 PM - Sanctuary
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.
These sessions include:
-Israel on our Minds
-Creativity for the Soul: Hands on Art Experience
-Musical Meditation -
Thursday, October 2 starting at 3:30 PM - locations vary. Havdalah will be outside
We continue our Yom Kippur Service with our unique liturgy and Torah reading for this holy day.
Yizkor – This is a reflective memorial service to remember and honor our loved ones who have died.
Neilah – Join our community outside for the concluding service on Yom Kippur. We will end services with the sound of the shofar (bring your own to help with a final blast) and also havdalah – everyone will have the opportunity to hold a candle as we end the holiest day of the year.
Book of Remembrance
It is a Jewish tradition to remember beloved departed family members at Yom Kippur.
Our annual Yom Kippur Book of Remembrance contains the names of those whose memories we cherish and wish to honor at this sacred time. To include the names of your loved ones simply use the button below. Please complete the online form by August 22; this will allow for the Book of Remembrance to be shared with the congregation before the start of the High Holy Days on September 22. A donation to the Temple in memory of your dear ones would be greatly appreciated.
FAQ
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There are a limited number of accessible parking spots in the main lot; we recommend arriving early.
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Tickets for High Holy Days are a benefit of membership. If you are not yet a member, we welcome you to join us for the Erev Rosh Hashanah, any of our Tiny Tot Services, Second Day Rosh Hashanah Service, or Yizkor in person.
All of our services are available to livestream here: https://www.tewnj.org/high-holy-day-livestreaming
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Yes. During High Holy Days, the Temple Emanu-El Courtyard will be open for those who wish to be at the synagogue but may feel more comfortable being outdoors. Sanctuary services will be livestreamed in the Courtyard. Chairs and machzorim (prayerbooks) will be available so that you can join us in prayer.
Our Library will also be open during sanctuary services throughout the High Holy Days. This will be a space for quiet reflection and for those seeking a break from the larger crowds in the Sanctuary.