Days of Awe 2020/5781
The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the עשרת ימי תשובה, The Ten Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur.
The Days of Awe are filled with wonder and worship, days of reflection, fasting, and prayer, days of solemnity and solace. These are days meant to set the tone for the beginning of the Jewish New Year even as they remind the faithful to reflect on what has gone before.
Join Rabbi Jillian Cameron & Cantor Juval Porat as we prepare our souls and our Torah scrolls for the Days of Awe through music, personal reflection, and prayer.
All of our services this year will be held virtually and are free of charge. Registration links, High Holy Days schedule and yizkor book name contributions will be posted here soon. To purchase a Machzor click here.
| High Holy Day Learning | Selichot | Rosh HaShanah | Yamim Noraim Workshops | Yom Kippur | Youth & Family | Resources |
|---|
Click here to download the PDF schedule
Join us as we ready ourselves for the High Holy Days season
A Broad-Coalition Rabbinate: What Jewish Values can Teach us About Welcoming Everyone
August 23 11:00am
With Rabbi Sandra Lawson
Judaism helped to make me a better activist, a better ally, and to use my voice and Jewish values to help others. As a rabbi, I want Judaism to be a welcoming space for all who want to come, and the truth is many communities do not feel welcoming to Jews on the margins: Jews of color, Transpeople, and folks with disabilities. I love Judaism, and I want us to use our Jewish values to create inclusive Jewish communities where all who want to come are welcomed, diversity is embraced, and we can come together to learn and to pray and also to eat.
Words of the Heart
August 25, 7:00-8:30pm
With Rabbi Jillian Cameron
We are asked during this month of Elul, to prepare ourselves, to slowly uncover and open those deep and dark corners of our minds and hearts and souls; we call this, cheshbon ha-nefesh, the accounting of the soul. This year is different and perhaps you are finding it more difficult than in years past to access those parts of you. Great poetry can give words to our often-jumbled feelings, provide space for us to reflect and offer solace and connection through time and space. Join me as we explore poetry as a means to prepare our truest selves for the season of return, reflection and repentance.
The Six Genders in Judaism: More than Male and Female
September 1, 7:00-8:30pm
With Ariel Zitny & Ze’evi Berman
Did you know gender diversity and nonbinary gender identity existed in Judaism from at least the time of the Mishnah (200 CE)? Not only is there zachar (male) and nekevah (female), but also androginos, tumtum, saris, and aylonit! Come learn about the six genders in Judaism, and what our tradition can teach us about gender diversity and inclusion of people who don’t fit into the gender binary.
Ariel Zitny (he/him or they/them) just completed his third year of rabbinical school at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles, and will now spend a year in the school of education to receive a Master’s in Jewish education. Before rabbinical school Ariel studied poetry, and has a BFA and an MFA in Creative Writing. As a queer trans person, Ariel is especially interested in the intersection of LGBTQ and Jewish identity. Ariel lives in LA with his partner Ze’evi and their two cats.
Ze’evi Berman (they/them) is a cantorial student at HUC-JIR DFSSM. This year they are working toward their Master’s in Jewish Education at HUC-JIR RHSOE. Before beginning cantorial school, Ze’evi worked as a Jewish music and tefilah educator in four out of the five NYC boroughs. As one of the first trans cantorial students, Ze’evi focuses their work on creating a more diverse, inclusive Jewish future. Ze’evi lives in LA with their partner Ariel and their two cats.
The Unmasked Singer
September 8, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
With Cantor Juval Porat
Through melodies and spoken word, silence, shares and each other’s presence we’ll explore our tradition’s annual invitation to crack open what some might call our defenses, to resensitize ourselves to each other and to our Creator through song and to awaken ourselves to the possibility of opening to both painful truths and incredible opportunities.
Selichot – September 12th
September 12th, 8 – 9 PM PDT with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval
Rosh HaShanah – September 18th – 20th
| Date | Time | Service |
|---|---|---|
| September 18 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Erev Rosh HaShanah with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! |
| September 19 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Rosh HaShanah Morning Day 1 with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! |
| 12:15 – 1:30 PM | Rosh HaShanah Zoom Lunch. Click here to register! | |
| 2:30 – 3:15 PM | Youth & Family Service + Program with Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for families with children ages 0-18. Click here to register! | |
| September 20 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Rosh HaShanah Morning Day 2. Click here to register! |
| 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Tashlich with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval on Zoom. Click here to register! | |
| 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Zoom Community Dinner. Click here to register! |
Yamim Noraim Workshops – September 21-26
This year we are excited to introduce the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) Workshops during the days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Each day there will be a different opportunity to learn with familiar and new teachers on a wide variety of topics. We hope this will enhance your High Holy Day experience.
| Date | Time | Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| September 21 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | What?! There are 10 Days of Awe? with Rabbi Lisa Edwards The term Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) refers not only to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but the seven days in between. In this strangest of years, how might we find the awesome promise of this special week on the calendar? Click here to register! |
| September 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Sexual Sins and Queer Community: An exploration of Tefillah Zakah with Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi. Explore the Tefilah Zakah preparatory prayer for Yom Kippur in the context of queer embodiment and representation. What does it mean for us LGBTQ+ folks to confess to the sexual sins listed in our high holiday liturgy? Come prepared to do some deep reflection and maybe some journaling as we wrestle with the intersection of tradition and identity. Rabbi Nikki is an out, queer Reform rabbi who spent 8 years working at New York University’s Jewish center. Click here to register! |
| September 23 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Overcoming our Blindspots: An Evening with Singer-Songwriter Charlie Kramer Click here to register! Case sensitive password: StreamKehilah2020 |
| September 24 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Judaic Sacred Music Foundation: Beethoven to Bor’chu – the creation of a symphony based on the High Holiday Liturgy Click here to register! |
| September 25 | 8:00 – 9:30 PM | Shabbat Shuva with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval Click here to register! |
| September 26 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Youth and Family program with Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for families with children ages 0-18. Click here to register! |
Yom Kippur – September 27-28
| Date | Time | Service |
|---|---|---|
| September 27 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Kol Nidrei with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! |
| September 28 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Yom Kippur Morning Service with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Reflection hour: This space is left intentionally open to provide the opportunity to look inward, reach out to loved ones, take the time you need to connect with the messages of Yom Kippur. | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | 12 Step Meeting. Click here to register! | |
| 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Yom Kippur Afternoon Service with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! | |
| 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Youth, Teen, & Family Jonah Program with Rabbi Jillian, Cantor Juval, and Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for all ages — children and the young-at-heart alike! Click here to register! | |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Reading of the Yizkor names with Michael Main and Elise Zimmerman. Click here to register! | |
| 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Yizkor with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! | |
| 4:30 – 5:30 PM | High Holy Days Guest Speaker with award winning author Marra B. Gad – joint speaker with other LA synagogues. Registration is through Kehillat Israel. Click here to register! | |
| 5:45 – 7:15 PM | Ne’ilah with Rabbi Jillian & Cantor Juval. Click here to register! | |
| 7:15 – 8:15 PM | Zoom Break-Fast shmooze with Rabbi Jillian and Cantor Juval. Click here to register! |
Youth & Family
| Date | Time | Service |
|---|---|---|
| September 19 | 2:30 – 3:15 PM | Rosh HaShanah Youth & Family Service + Program with Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for families with children ages 0-18. Click here to register! |
| September 26 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Yamim Noraim Workshop: Youth & Family Program with Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for families with children ages 0-18. Click here to register! |
| September 28 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Yom Kippur: Youth, Teen, & Family Jonah Program with Rabbi Jillian, Cantor Juval, and Education Director Rae Antonoff Portnoy. Recommended for all ages — children and the young-at-heart alike! Click here to register! |
High Holy Day Resources
Our High Holy Day gift to you, with wishes for a sweet New Year, brought to you by the Ritual Committee, Clergy and Staff
Be sure to check out all the links!
- On Sunday, Sept. 20, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles along with IKAR will hold its first-ever “Shofar Wave”, which will involve placing people on various street corners around L.A. and asking them to blow the shofar – a ram’s horn used like a trumpet – to mark Rosh Hashanah.
- Challah Coupon from Challah Hub — use the code “BCCLA” at check out to get $2 off until September 12th at 8 PM.
- “Creating Your Mikdash M’At” By Rabbi Elyse Goldstein — How to turn your home into a holy space for High Holy Days
- “Reflect” by the Union for Reform Judaism — An interactive space that offers a few ways to reflect, reconnect, and renew over this year’s High Holidays
- “High Holidays at Home: A PJ Library
Family Guide” from PJ Library - “Love Remains: A Rosh Hashanah Story of Transformation” by Rabbi Ari Moffic, Jessica Leving, and Teddi Garson
- “Zenspirations(r)” High Holiday Coloring Pages by Joanne Fink, page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4 — Not just for kids!
- “With synagogues off-limits for the High Holidays, attention is turning to Jewish practice at home” from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- “Virtual Acts of Kindness” from Doing Good Together
- “Haggadah” for a Rosh HaShanah Seder
Thoughts and Questions: Opportunities to Reflect
- From the Jewish Meditation Center of Brooklyn:To reflect, forgive and move forward.Reflect:Over the past year, did I fully live my values? Did I treat others how I would want to be treated? What do I most regret? What am I most proud of?Seek Forgiveness:From whom must I ask forgiveness? To whom must I offer my forgiveness (regardless of outcome)?Letting Go and Moving Forward:How can I release myself from any residue of the past year? What do I want to practice, seek, or commit myself to in the coming year?
Recipes for the Holy Days
Noodle Kugel
8 ounce package of noodles (can use gluten free)
3 eggs
1 stick of margarine or butter (¼ lb)
1 cup sour cream (can use non-dairy)
½ cup sugar
½ cup white raisins
small can crushed pineapple (minus juice)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
Boil 8 oz packages of noodles. When done, drain and rinse with cold water.
Add melted margarine to the 3 well beaten eggs, mix well. Add sugar and mix again
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Mix in the noodles,
Bake in a greased casserole for 30 minutes in 350 preheated oven.
Challeh
1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 – 2 teaspoon honey
(mix together until yeast is dissolved and set aside.)
5 cups sifted flour
4 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs)
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
Sift flour, (or use a whisk) add the eggs and salt. Pour in yeast mixture. Add water.
Knead, adding flour as needed, until dough is no longer sticking and peels off hands easily. (Can “test” the dough by breaking off small piece and trying to stretch it until it is so thin you can almost see through it. If the dough breaks, add a small amount of flour and keep kneading. Knead until you can stretch the dough.)
Cover and let rise, at least one hour, can be longer.
Pound down to original size. Cover and let rise again.
Pound again to original size. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Roll 3 parts into long strips and braid. Divide remaining dough into 2 parts, roll each part into long strips and twist together and put on top of braid. Pinch ends together while pinching the twist onto the braid.
Let rise about 10 minutes.
Brush with egg white, sprinkle poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom.
For Yomtov, add more honey to yeast mixture. Add raisins to the dough while kneading. Follow the recipe above. Form dough into a circle. When baking, pour honey over challeh.
Resources for Children and their Families
- “L’Shana Tovah!” Coloring Resources for Kids
- “High Holidays at Home: A PJ Library Family Guide” from PJ Library
- “I Am the Tree of Life: My Jewish Yoga Book” by Rabbi Mychal Copeland and Andre Ceolin
- “Love Remains: A Rosh Hashanah Story of Transformation” by Rabbi Ari Moffic, Jessica Leving, and Teddi Garson
- “High Holidays in Pop Culture” from Hey Alma
- “DIY Shofar” a kids’ craft from Alpha Mom
- High Holiday resources, including a social story about going to services on the computer, Bingo games, blessing guides, & more from JGateways
- Shalom Sesame’s High Holy Day video collection
- What is Rosh Hashanah? by BimBam on YouTube
- High Holy Day kids’ books for ages 3-9 from 18Doors
- Holiday Virtual Escape Room game from Bagels & Locks
- “I’m Coming Clean” for ages 10+ from the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC)
