Jewish faithful across Poconos to mark High Holy Days
The High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, will be celebrated by Jews around the world in late September and early October, and are considered the most significant events of the Jewish calendar.
Expressions of Judaism thrive in Wayne, Pike and Monroe counties of Pennsylvania, where there are long roots in an abiding spiritual faith and respect of Jewish heritage and values.
Wayne County Jewish congregation one of PA's oldest
At Congregation Beth Israel at 615 Court Street in Honesdale, Rabbi Elliott Kleinman will conduct the High Holy Day services with cantorial soloist Blake Friedman.
Rosh Hashanah will be observed on Sunday evening, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. and continuing on Monday, September 26 at 10 a.m. A Tashlich service will follow in the side garden.
Tashlich is an ancient Jewish custom in which Jews symbolically cast off their sins. It is traced back to Abraham. Traditionally pieces of bread are cast upon the water.
Yom Kippur will begin with the Kol Nidre service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, and will continue the next day at 10 a.m. A cemetery memorial service follows at about 1 p.m., weather permitting. A study session, "Jewish Time" is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and an afternoon service is set for 4:30 p.m. This is followed by Yizkor (a memorial prayer) and Ne'ilah (the closing service of Yom Kippur). After Ne'ilah, a "Break the Fast" sponsored by the Sisterhood will be held in the Social Hall.
"Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, celebrates the birthday of the world and initiates a 10-day period of refection in introspection, known as the 10 days of repentance or Days of Awe," Rabbi Kleinman said. At this time Jews reflect on how they did last year and pledges themselves to doing better in the new year, he added.
On the Jewish calendar, the New Year will be 5783.
"Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is perhaps the most solemn day of all Jewish tradition, spent in fasting and prayer," the Rabbi said. "We seek atonement from God for our inability to meet the mark … and it is a reminder to seek forgiveness from fellow human beings."
Rabbi Kleinman, who is entering his tenth year serving Congregation Beth Israel, summed it up this way: "For transgressions against God, prayer works. For transgressions against people, you must go to the people." He added, "You need to sincerely repent, engage in prayer and have to make right what you did wrong."
The Jewish congregation in Honesdale is surrounded by truly deep roots. They started meeting in homes in 1849 and have been in their present sanctuary since 1856. For nearly 175 years, full-time and many part-time residents have found a place to come and worship, follow their ancient traditions and support one another as community.
Rabbi Kleinman noted that Congregation Beth Israel is both the oldest synagogue in northeastern Pennsylvania and is the oldest, continually operating synagogue, in the same building, in the United States. Many of their members have family roots in their founders.
Being in this historic building inspires them, he said, their expanse of time as a local congregation a symbol of the many thousands of years of their faith; a chain of tradition and the next link to the future.
They are a Reformed Congregation, he said, but Jews of all backgrounds and traditions have attended.
Rabbi Kleinman also serves as the Senior Advisor to the President at the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.
Beth Israel also has an active religious school for children. More information about the schedule and the congregation can be found by calling 570-253-2222; emailing bethisraelhonesdale@gmail.com or visiting congregationbethisraelhonesdale.org.
Of interest:Ukraine part of 'origin story' for many faithful in Honesdale
Pike County's Jewish Fellowship has been meeting for decades
Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms has scheduled the following High Holy Day services and events:
Sunday, Sept. 25: Rosh Hashanah service in the Sanctuary -Rav Shoshana and Cantor Judy Naimark from 8-9 p.m.; Candle lighting at 6:34 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 26: Rosh Hashanah service under the tent at Fawn Hill from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Challah, Apple and Honey followed by Tashlich at Fawn Hill Pond at 12:30 p.m. A Rosh Hashanah dinner at Lords Valley Country Club will be held at 6:30 p.m., tickets cost $47 per person. RSVP by September 19 to the JFHF Office by calling 570-775-7497, or emailing jfhf1516@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 5: Yom Kippur "Break the Fast" dinner will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Lords Valley Country Club. Tickets cost $26 per person, RSVP by September 19 to the JFHF Office.
Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms has been meeting for over 40 years. A description on their Facebook page states that they are an unaffiliated non-profit religious organization made up of followers of Judaism of various traditions and backgrounds. They have a Sisterhood and a Hebrew school. For more information call 570-775-7497 or visit jfhf.org.
Congregation B'nai Harim of the Poconos part of interfaith council
Congregation B'nai Harim of the Poconos, led by rabbi Peg Kershenbaum, is a Reform Jewish congregation, which is affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism, the Jewish Federation of Northeast Pennsylvania and the Interfaith Council. They are located in Pocono Pines at Route 940 and Sullivan Trail (5349 Pocono Crest Road) in Monroe County.
Learn more:Women of B'Nai Harim in Pocono Pines build virtual community during pandemic
Rosh Hashanah services are scheduled as follows. Note, reservations are required for the services on Sunday and Monday. Call 570-646-0100 or visit bnaiharimpoconos.org for more information.
Sunday, Sept. 25: Service at 7:30 p.m. at the temple.Monday, Sept. 26: Service at the temple at 10:15 a.m. to about noon, followed by ceremony of Tashlich at Pinecrest Lake at 2:30 p.m. (If the beach is in use, meet at the bridge.) Leslie Stine at Congregation B'nai Harim said that rather than casting bread, they use small stones.
Tuesday, Sept. 27: Rosh Hashanah Congregational and Community Service to be held at the temple at 10:15 a.m. There is no admission charge; reservations are not required.
Yom Kippur: A service is being planned at the temple for the evening, on October 4. The service time will be announced. A Yom Kippur Break the Fast dinner is set for Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Naomi Club House. The cost is $38 per adult; $20 per child ages 6 to 12; or free for ages 5 and under. Send a check to Congregation B'nai Harim, P.O. Box 757, Pocono Pines, PA 18350, by September 26, with your name and how many adults and how many children.
Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos
Jewish Resource Center of the Poconos was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Yehuda Salkow. They are described as a resource for educational, religious and positive social experiences for all ages. They are located at 1210 N. 5th St., Stroudsburg,For more information, call 570-517-0815; email info@poconojrc.org or visit poconojrc.org.
Temple IsraeI observes traditions in heart of Monroe County
Originating in 1919, Temple IsraeI of the Poconos is located at 711 Wallace St., in Stroud Township, Monroe County.
They are described on their website as a conservative affiliated congregation, and encourage interreligious families and individuals of all backgrounds to participate. Their leader is Rabbi/Cantor Johann Bickhardt. For more information call 570-421-8781 or visit templepoconos.org.
Rosh Hashanah services are as follows:
Sunday, Sept. 25: at 6:35 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah, Candle lighting
Monday, Sept. 26: at 7:32 p.m. 1st of Tishrei, Candle lighting (Tishrei is the first month of the civil and seventh of the religious year on the Jewish calendar.)
Tuesday, Sept. 27: at 7:30 p.m. 2nd of Tishrei, Havdalah
Wednesday, Sept. 28: Tzom Gedaliah, fasting 5:33 a.m. - 7:21 p.m.; 3rd of Tishrei.
Eugene "Art" Glantz, who is 93 and a native of Hawley, today lives in East Stroudsburg.
He has been a member of Temple Israel of the Poconos for over 30 years and has been a member of the Ritual Committee most of that time.
"During the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we reflect and think and on Yom Kippur we are sealed in the Book of Life." Glantz reflected. "This is the essence of the holiday period for me."
Glantz noted that the dates of these holidays vary yearly because the Hebrew calendar is based on the lunar phases.More than marking a new year, Rosh Hashanah is also called the Day of Remembrance, he said.
"We remember how we have acted in the past and hope to improve our lives in the future. (God) is the ultimate Judge, but we have to look at ourselves first," Glantz said.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Where can you find synagogues in Poconos for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur?
