GATEWAY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

SELICHOT EVE PROGRAM AND SERVICE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

 

Reception at 7:30 P.M.

Program:  “Seeking Strength in Our Lives and Our Community” at 8:30 P.M.

                              Traditional Selichot Service at 9:30 P.M.                 

 

It is customary in Jewish practice to initiate the High Holy Season in the synagogue with the Service of Selichot, which are seasonal prayers of reflection and repentance.  Selichot are recited on the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashana, provided that at least 4 days intervene.  This year, since Rosh Hashana 5771 begins on Wednesday evening, September 8, Selichot will be recited on Saturday evening, September 4.

 

Through the creativity and generosity of the American Jewish University (formerly the University of Judaism) in Los Angeles, our Selichot Eve Program we will feature a taped dialogue between Rabbi Brad Artson, Rabbi David Wolpe and Rabbi Ed Feinstein on messages and themes appropriate for the Holy Day Season.  Our selection from their conversation will focus on the theme of strength, both personal and communal.  On the personal level, we will deal with finding the strength to make necessary changes in our lives and our relationships.  On the communal level, we will explore the theme of Covenant as it applies to the Jewish People;  we will also delve into the role of community in healing our brokenness and supporting the elevation of our needs to the realm of the Sacred.

 

The Selichot Service itself is our gateway to the forthcoming Holy Day season. We hear the music of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the first time each year at Selichot.  While our service is traditional in character, our contemporary Selichot booklets offer us the opportunity to articulate Holy Day themes through contemporary readings similar to those we offer on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

 

Everyone is cordially invited to join with us for an exceptional Selichot Eve experience this year.

 

Rabbi Richard J. Margolis