Yes, our High Holy Day observance is different this year. But the apples have been just as crisp and the honey just as sweet. We have come together as a Temple Emanu-El family in new, safe ways. Together, we have marked the end of a year like no other. We continue to pray for new beginnings, hope and renewal for the year that has just begun.

Please start by watching a brief video greeting from Rabbi Landsberg (below).

REGISTER NOW!

General information about Temple Emanu-El High Holy Day observance follows below.

Help for our High Holy Day services and programs is available HERE.

Yom Kippur

Kol Nidre
Sunday, Sept 27, 8:00 pm
Join Rabbi Landsberg and Judy Adelman Gershon on Zoom for Kol Nidre services with in-person seating for 30 people.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur Morning Service
Monday, Sept 28, 10:00 am
Yom Kippur morning services on Zoom led by Rabbi Debra Landsberg and Cantorial Soloist, Judy Adelman Gershon, with in-person seating for 30 people.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required
 

Yom Kippur Kids' Programming
Monday, Sept 28, 10:00 am
School-age kids can join our Centre for Jewish Living and Learning team for their own special Yom Kippur programming on Zoom.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur Music and Mediation
Monday, Sept 28, 12:30 pm
Musical selections and readings chosen for Yom Kippur, presented on Zoom, with in-person seating for 30 people.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur Meditative Walk
Monday, Sept 28, 2:00 pm
Join Rabbi Landsberg for a meditative walk and reflection, beginning at Banbury Community Centre. Limited to 30 people.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur: What am I Missing?
Monday, Sept 28, 3:00 pm
Join guest Rabbi Joseph Edeleheit for growth, learning, and conversation about the core question both life and our Torah ask of us: What am I Missing?
All are welcome • Registration required

Yom Kippur: A Whale of a Small Fry / Tot Service
Monday, Sept 28, 4:00 pm
Join Rabbi Landsberg, Judy Adelman Gershon, David Gershon and Bagel the Dog on Zoom for an engaging Yom Kippur service with stories and songs made especially for our Small Fry kids (birth to age 6).
All are welcome • Registration required

Yom Kippur: Jonah for Adults
Monday, Sept 28, 4:00 pm
Join us on a live virtual tour of Jonah's journey from Jaffa to Nineveh (with Hartuv tours of Tel Aviv), a dramatic retelling of Jonah's story presented by actor/playwright Michael Goldlist, and hear the tale told as in Tanahkh (Bible).
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur: Yizkor
Monday, Sept 28, 5:00 pm
Yizkor services on Zoom with limited in-person seating.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Yom Kippur: N'eilah
Monday, Sept 28, 5:45 pm (approx)
N'eilah services on Zoom with limited in-person seating.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

*Note: This year all immediate family of Temple Emanu-El members are welcome to join our High Holy Day services without purchasing guest tickets; however, registration is required. While guest ticket costs are waived, your financial support is welcomed during this difficult time.

General Information

The Big Picture: Our High Holy Day worship and programming options this year will include a combination of Zoom, some small groups in our synagogue, and larger gatherings outdoors.

Zoom
Based on survey responses, we expect that the vast majority of Emanu-Elniks will welcome the New Year with us on Zoom. If you have not yet joined us for a Zoom service, we have been having daily minyan services, as well as wonderful Friday evening candle lighting and Shabbat morning services every week. Come give it a try and see how interactive, warm and surprisingly personal it is. If you have trouble connecting with Zoom, let us know and we will help you, but best to try it soon and not wait until Erev Rosh Hashanah. To download Zoom and for tutorial videos and other resources CLICK HERE. To give it a try, join one of our services on Zoom by clicking on the links in our temple email newsletters. CLICK HERE for our most recent newsletter. Need more help? Contact Carli in the temple office to arrange for personal Zoom help.

Indoors at the Synagogue
We have learned that our synagogue is so much "more than a building" over these last months. Still, some of us would like to reconnect with the holy space of our sanctuary. For those who want to join us in person, we will be open for groups of 30 or less for most services (masks and COVID questionnaire required). Before services, Rabbi Landsberg will be there to greet congregants. She will then go to her office where she can lead services for all of us without a mask. The service, live on Zoom with the rabbi and Judy Adelman Gershon, will be streamed into the sanctuary via our sound system and a large screen. While this will certainly feel different than before, it will be an opportunity for this group to be in a sacred space with others. A full cleaning will take place between each service.

Larger Outdoor Gatherings
The second day of Rosh Hashanah will feel particularly sweet this year as it will mark the first time a large group of our Temple Emanu-El family (up to 100 people) will gather together in the same place. Join us outdoors, rain or shine, for our Second Day Rosh Hashanah programs.

H H D •  F A Q

Machzor
What about the machzor (High Holy Day prayerbook)? We will be lending our machzorim to congregants for use throughout the Holy Days. Details on how to get your copy will be shared in upcoming emails. Our machzor is also available online. Give it a try: Rosh Hashanah • Yom Kippur

Registration
Most of our High Holy Day services are for our members and their immediate families only and will require registration. Watch for details about how to register in the coming days.

Membership - and Your Help

We need to be direct. Temple Emanu-El needs your help now more than ever. The truth is, the costs of running a synagogue don't significantly change during a pandemic; our outreach and support work are still critical. Your membership helps ensure that our synagogue will still be here for years to come – to support our temple families at times of simcha and times of loss and to ensure Jewish continuity with education, strengthening our community.

If you haven't renewed your commitment to Emanu-El for the coming year, please do so now. If you have been enjoying our programs or services but haven't joined, please make this the year. If you are fortunate enough that your income has not been severely affected by the pandemic, perhaps you can make an additional donation this year to help offset those whose finances have been devastated and cannot pay. To discuss your membership and donations, please contact Randi Feldman via email HERE or at 416-449-3880 ext. 214

Video Greetings from our Rabbi and Cantorial Soloist

Rosh Hashanah

This was our schedule for Rosh Hashanah - in case you're curious!

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Friday, Sept 18, 5:30-6:00 pm
Join Rabbi Landsberg and Judy Adelman Gershon on Zoom for a warm, interactive, welcoming mix of songs, candle lighting and blessings to usher in the new year.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
Saturday, Sept 19, 10:00 am
Rosh Hashanah morning services on Zoom led by Rabbi Debra Landsberg and Cantorial Soloist, Judy Adelman Gershon, with in-person seating for 30 people.
*Temple members and family only• Registration required

Rosh Hashanah Morning Kids' Programming
Saturday, Sept 19, 10:00 am
School-age kids can join our Centre for Jewish Living and Learning team for their own special Rosh Hashanah programming on Zoom.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required

Rosh Hashanah Afternoon Small Fry / Tot Service
Saturday, Sept 19, 4:00 pm
Join Rabbi Landsberg, Judy Adelman Gershon, David Gershon and Bagel the Dog on Zoom for a high energy, fun, engaging Rosh Hashanah service with stories and songs made especially for our Small Fry kids (birth to age 6). (Please note that we will be joined by members of our Israeli sister congregations Bavat Ayin in Rosh HaAyin and Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem)
All are welcome • Registration required

Second Day Rosh Hashanah • Yoga & Meditation
Sunday, Sept 20, 8:30 am
Awaken the body, mind and heart with this transformative mindful yoga/mediation practice for the day the world is born. Led by Michelle Katz on Zoom. We will be joined by members of Kol Haneshama Congregation in Jerusalem.
All are welcome • Registration required

Second Day Rosh Hashanah • Sing Yeladim
Sunday, Sept 20, 9:30 am
Join children's music expert, Risa Waldman, and Judy Adelman Gershon on Zoom for a session of singing and fun for the new year (birth to age 4 plus parent/caregiver).
All are welcome • Registration required

Second Day Rosh Hashanah • Outdoor School Family Program
Sunday, Sept 20, 10:30 am
Join our CJLL team in person at the temple for tashlich, shofar blowing and more! Maximum 100 people.
*Temple members and family and CJLL families only• Registration required

Second Day Rosh Hashanah • Torah and Tashlich
Sunday, Sept 20, 11:30 am
Join us in-person for Torah, tashlich, shofar and more, outdoors at the temple. Maximum 100 people.
*Temple members and family only • Registration required