Join Us!
September 9th – 7:00 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah, at All Souls UU Church
September 10th – 9:30 a.m., Rosh Hashanah first day Service, at All Souls UU Church
September 11th – 10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah second day service, at BAJC
September 15th – 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Shuvah, at BAJC
September 18th – 7:00 p.m., Erev Yom Kippur, (Kol Nidre) at All Souls UU Church
September 19th – 9:30 a.m. Yom Kippur, Yizkor 11:30 a.m., Musaf 12:30 p.m., Mincha 5:00, Ne’ilah 6:00 p.m. at All Souls UU Church
At sundown on September 9th, Jewish people all over the world will welcome Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish year 5779. Rosh Hashanah begins a sacred period known as the Days of Awe that culminates ten days later on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, observed this year on September 19th.
Congregation Shir Heharim’s high holiday services will be led by Cantor Kate Judd, the congregation’s spiritual leader. Cantor Judd was ordained by Hebrew College in Newton, MA, a pluralistic seminary, where she also received a Masters of Jewish Education. Cantor Judd has performed throughout New England as oratorio and operatic soloist and was a service leader at several synagogues before becoming the spiritual leader of the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community five years ago. She will be assisted by several community members who will co-lead parts of the service.
The Days of Awe are marked by contemplation, introspection, confession, and prayer. Reflecting upon the past year, Jews around the world ask forgiveness from family, friends, and other people they may have hurt. Tradition teaches that once this is accomplished, forgiveness from God will follow. The season is regarded as a time of judgment, when people seek atonement and pray to be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year. As the long day of Yom Kippur ends, the Ne’ilah service portrays the Gates of Heaven slowly closing as the last prayers of atonement are offered to God. Like people everywhere, Jews are comforted by the hope that if they really strive to make themselves better than they were in the past, God will forgive them and grant them life.
BAJC welcomes all to attend high holy day services. The prayer books, in Hebrew, contain full translation into English and interpretative study texts. All the Hebrew prayers are transliterated so that people who don’t read Hebrew can follow and participate. BAJC does not require tickets or reservations, but it is hoped that guests will help to cover the expenses of making the services available to all. If you can, consider mailing donations for seats to BAJC, PO Box 2353, Brattleboro 05303, in advance so people can be welcomed at the door from a guest list and so that no one has to deal with money or record-keeping on the holy days. Donations from guests will be applied toward membership if the donor decides to become a member of the congregation at any time during the year. Click here or call 802-257-1959 for more information.
Seating for the High Holidays
Membership in BAJC entitles you to attend the High Holiday services.
We don’t turn anyone away from services and don’t require pre-paid reservations, but we do hope guests will help us to cover the expenses of making the services available to all. A donation of $108 is suggested for each service attended. Donations for seats should be mailed to BAJC in advance so people can be welcomed at the door from a guest list and so that we do not have to deal with money or record-keeping on the holy days. Donations from guests will be applied toward membership if the donor decides to become a member at any time during the year. Please contact us (info@bajcvermont.org) with any questions.