Temple Israel prepares to celebrate upcoming High Holidays
PORTSMOUTH — Temple Israel, the historic synagogue in downtown Portsmouth, is preparing to celebrate the upcoming High Holidays with prayer, song, and community.
Rabba Kaya Stern-Kauffman and cantorial soloist Kochava Munro will lead the congregation in the traditional liturgy using melodies new and old. On the holidays, the temple community invites in all who wish to welcome the Jewish New Year, including visitors, students, and members of the military. Pre-registration is required to access the holiday services, whether attending in person or virtually, over Zoom.
The holiday begins at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 25, with Erev Rosh Hashanah services and continues the next morning at 9 a.m. with a full Rosh Hashanah service, including sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) to herald the new year.
A Tashlich service with shofar blowing will also be held Monday afternoon at Prescott Park around 1 p.m. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, Sept. 27, services will again commence at 9 a.m. at Temple Israel.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement marked by fasting and prayer, begins at sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Temple Israel’s solemn Kol Nidre service will begin at 6 p.m. that night. The next morning, prayers will include the traditional liturgy and Torah reading, with a Yizkor (memorial) service at about 11:45 a.m. After a break from 1 to 4:45 p.m., all are invited back for an afternoon service featuring the story of Jonah, culminating in the Neilah service and a final blast of the shofar to mark the end of the holiday at 6:59 p.m. A light catered meal will follow (pre-registration required).
Families make up an important part of the temple community and are welcomed in the main sanctuary services as well as at special child-oriented services. A one-hour Family Service geared toward children in grades 2 to 5 will be offered at 10:15 a.m. on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur. In addition, a Preschool Story Time will take place from 9:30 to 10 a.m. on both holidays as well.
Anyone interested in attending services at Temple Israel for the holidays may register at templeisraelnh.org/pray/holidays/high-holidays-2022/. Suggested donations are $60 per individual for each holiday or $90 per family.
Temple Israel, which is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, welcomes all families and individuals. It is a diverse congregation made up of people from all backgrounds, including many interfaith families. The temple has been a part of the Seacoast community since 1905 and has occupied the historic building at 200 State Street since 1910. To learn more about Temple Israel, visit templeisraelnh.org. For more information, or to inquire about membership, call the temple office at 603-436-5301 x10 or email templeoffice@templeisraelnh.org.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Temple Israel in Portsmouth NH prepares to celebrate High Holidays
