First, let me address the issue of whether the High Holy Days are “early” this year. For the Gregorian calendar, yes, it is early. Note that the Gregorian calendar was put into effect for the entire Catholic world by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 with a papal bull. For the Jewish calendar, no, the dates are…
Read More »High Holidays
Preparing for the High Holy Days
Cantor Linda Hirschhorn emailed her congregation, Temple Beth Sholom of San Leandro, about the practice of reciting a Psalm in preparation for the High Holy Days. She said: Starting this Sunday, August 8th— which is Rosh Hodesh Elul — until the end of the high holidays, Psalm 27 is recited in the daily morning and evening…
Read More »Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre + virtual events
Welcome back to the weird world of Covid in America! In fact, in Jewish America, where we don’t attend services together. How are you doing? I have a few things to share and I hope to hear how your holiday is going thus far. How did Rosh Hashanah go? I was pleasantly surprised by how…
Read More »Days of Hope and Awe
Today I received this beautiful message, sent to the members of B’nai Tikvah by their rabbi, Rabbi Jennie Chabon. I’m sharing her words with you because we are all challenged by these hard times and are grieved to not be able to be together for the High Holy Days. *** The smoke is less intense…
Read More »Can we do the Holidays on our own?
I got a reality check last week, a synagogue email offered etrog and lulav kits for sale. Yup, the High Holy Days are only a month away and on their heels, Sukkot. I adore Sukkot and always have a sukkah. I love having guests in my sukkah and have introduced lots of amazing people to…
Read More »High Holy Day Services online 2020
Live streaming High Holy Day Services are available all over. Here’s the list of what I have so far. If your synagogue will offer virtual High Holy Day services and you don’t see it listed here, please email me – dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org. Send me a link to your synagogue’s information. Thank you! B’nai Emunah, San…
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