In no time at all, together as a community, we will bring the Hebrew year of 5784 to a close and embark on 5785. This has been a difficult year for the Jewish community, and we recognize that this holiday season can feel different from years past. With all the emotions of the year upon our hearts, we set out on the spiritual journey of the High Holy Days. There will be formal celebrations in the sanctuary, time to gather and support each other through our grief, and expressions of our mind, body, and soul. Below is just a taste of what lies ahead:

 

The music of the holidays will be unlike any other at Temple Tiferet Shalom. We are thrilled to welcome back on the bimah our Music Director Emerita, Bryna Toder Tabasky, as well as many familiar faces here for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. You’ve heard we hired a new cantor, and now is your chance to meet her. Cantor Michelle Rubenstein will be with us during our holiday preparations and throughout Sukkot. Please introduce yourself and join us as we welcome Cantor Rubenstein to the TTS Family!

 

The Board of Trustees is excited to announce that we have purchased new Torah covers for the High Holy Days. We offer our immense gratitude to Jo Ann Seidman for sponsoring the new Torah covers. Thank you to our wonderful design committee: Tania Helhoski (designer), Roza Budilovsky, Scott Farber, Sam Tabasky, and Joyce Kline. Below you will find a picture of the Torah covers, and trust us—you are going to love the way they look in the ark! If you want to get a first look before the holidays, please join us for our Selichot and S’mores program as we formally place the covers on our Torahs for the first time! We are also grateful for the artistry of Margery and Eli Langer of Custom Judaica for their craftsmanship and professionalism as they created our new Torah covers. Please look at their website to see the many ritual objects they have created: www.CustomJudaica.com 

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We are also excited to offer opportunities for our youngest members. On Rosh Hashanah Day 1 morning and Yom Kippur morning, children in grades K-5 can attend a children’s service led by Tracy Cranson, Head of Religious School. Babysitting will also be available for young children.  We also have a BalaGan Honey + Tots program for families with children under six years old on Sunday, September 29th. Since the holidays fall on Thursday this year, we have special programs for our religious school families during Sukkot and Simchat Torah to celebrate the many holidays in Tishrei.

 

With heightened security, the Worship Committee will have sign-in tables as you enter the foyer. The reason for this is to provide better security for our services in keeping with the times. This process was quick and efficient the last two years, and we expect it to be the same this year. There will be a 45-minute check-in time before every service, so please plan accordingly. Thank you in advance for your understanding. We look forward to greeting you personally during the High Holy Days. 

 

As in recent years, we remain dedicated to offering remote, online services through StreamSpot. Passwords will be provided for services for members and those who have purchased tickets in the days leading up to the holidays. 

 

Continuing our wonderful tradition, we will spend the second day of Rosh Hashanah at Willowdale Estate, and will perform Tashlikh at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. We will conclude Yom Kippur with a community break fast at 6:45 pm. We will be building a beautiful Sukkah again and having a host of events and gatherings inside.

 

It takes more than gathering in the sanctuary for the holiday season to begin. Please join us for all services and events and every moment that will help you find meaning and community this holiday season.

 

Shanah Tova u’Metuka! שנה טובה ומתוקה

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, sweet, and peaceful 5785!

 

Rabbi Evan Sheinhait