High Holidays 5785

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Spotify Playlist for the High Holy Days
Hazzan Glantz has created a Spotify playlist associated with these High Holy Days. You may be very surprised to hear the music that's on that list. It is called "Ready? Set? Return!" Give it a chance. Hazzan says it's been growing, perhaps it will grow on you. These songs speak to him, each differently. Some, obvious in their connection to Jewish High Holy Days; others, perhaps not.  Suggest others and inquire how a song made the cut by sending an email to Hazzan. Some may make you cry, others provoke thought, and one motivates Hazzan in ways he cannot put into words. Click here.

In addition, there is a Yizkor Spotify playlist here.

JFGP Mitzvah Grocery Gift Card Drive Begins September 30
2024 has been a challenging year for families facing financial hardship, compounded by SNAP assistance ending this past February. Food insecurity is significantly higher among those at or below poverty thresholds, with 46% of Jewish households that are at or below 200% of the federal poverty index identified as food insecure. From September 30 through October 28, you can purchase grocery store gift cards to be distributed directly to clients of the Mitzvah Food Program so they can purchase items they need from their local grocery store. We recommend gift cards from ShopRite, Acme, and Giant, as these are the stores most easily accessible to our clients. Gift card values up to $50 are the most helpful. Give any purchased cards to Amy Devine-Stretch or, if the office is closed, put it into the lock box to the right of the security doors that lead to the office area (near the keypad). You can purchase food through the Mitzvah Food Program Amazon Wish List so that products are shipped directly to a pantry. You can find out more by going to tiny.cc/2024MFPOYR.

There is one online form to RSVP for High Holiday events! Click here.

Selichot 
Saturday, September 28             Mincha: 6:30 PM      Light Refreshments: 7:30 PM     Service: 8:00 PM
“Hush of Midnight”

Join us at Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, PA, on Saturday, September 28 for “Hush of Midnight: An American S’lihot Service”! It was written by Cantor Charles Davidson z”l for Adas Israel Congregation in Washington in 1968 and was presented there for 30 years. It is an hour-long service, based on traditional nusach ha-tefilah with additional texts by Ruth F. Brin and has won the Television Media Award. The music was written at a time when other religious services were turning towards an American folk style. The program is presented by The Old York Road Kehillah Choir, Shir KI, and former members of the AJ Choral Society; conducted by Alyssa Davidson; and features Rav Hazzan Howard Glantz and Cantor Amy E. Levy. Light refreshments at 7:30 PM; program at 8:00 PM. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/Services-Sept24.

Break the Fast 
Saturday, October 12       
Break your fast with us on Yom Kippur at approximately 7:30 PM. We'll have all of your favorite Break the Fast fare including lox, whitefish, herring, kippered salmon, bagels and cream cheese. kugel, cheese, lettuce and tomato, fruit, assorted cakes, and beverages. The cost is $36 for adults, $20 for children 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. RSVP and payment MUST be received by noon on Monday, September 30. Call Beryl Rosoff-Verbit in the synagogue office at 215.635.6611, send her an email at brosoff-verbit@adathjeshurun.info (include number of adults and children 6 to 12), return the registration form that was included in the High Holiday mailing, or use this online form. You must be pre-registered to attend.

Sukkah Decorating and Pizza Party (Sponsored by AJWA Sisterhood)
Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM
Everyone is invited! We’ll eat, shmooze, and hang decorations. Bring the kids and any decorations that you’d like to contribute (original artwork encouraged)! Preschool families welcome! (All children must be accompanied by a parent.)

Dinners in the Sukkah
Throughout the Week of Sukkot: Wednesday, October 16 through Tuesday, October 22
Once again, we’ll be celebrating Sukkot by gathering inside AJ’s sukkah and having dinner! See the offerings for each night below. All dinners will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by the evening service at 7:00 PM, except where noted. Registration for each night is required, except where noted. Click here to register. Please RSVP no later than October 11.

Wednesday, October 16: Pizza in the Sukkah. We’ll have pizza and salad in the sukkah. ($8 per person.)

Thursday, October 17: Sandwiches in the Sukkah. We’ll have chicken and veggie sandwiches in the sukkah. ($8 per person.)

Friday, October 18: Shabbat Dinner in the Sukkah. Enjoy a catered Shabbat dinner with us. ($20 per adult; children under 10 are free.) The evening service will be at 6:00 PM, followed by Shabbat dinner.

Saturday, October 19: Bring Your Own Dairy Dinner to the Sukkah. (No charge.)

Sunday, October 20: Bring Your Own Dairy Dinner to the Sukkah. (No charge.) Our special guest will be Zoe Marks, a Captain in the IDF in the Etzion Region. She is currently an active reservist, 24 years old, and born and raised in Israel. Zoe will be sharing about herself, her own personal experience from this past year, and of course, the war efforts from YATAR’s perspective and more. YATAR, a division of the Israel Defense Force, serves as Israel’s sole compact All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) unit, and is proud to stand at the front lines of defense against various threats to our beloved nation and its citizens. They serve as the initial responders to a diverse range of challenges, which include providing crucial medical assistance, intercepting smugglers, infiltrators, and terrorists. During the war, they have adapted their unit and have been focusing on the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield (marking over 200 successful evacuation operations). The dinner and program will be followed by dessert provided by AJ.

Monday, October 21: Baked Ziti in the Sukkah. Enjoy baked ziti and dessert in the sukkah. A gluten-free baked ziti will be available. Prepared by the AJWA Sisterhood. ($8 per person.)

Tuesday, October 22: Salad in the Sukkah. We’ll have salad in the sukkah. ($8 per person.) (AJ Early Learning Center will enjoy pizza and salad from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.) 

Family Hakafot
Wednesday, October 23 at 5:45 PM
Bring your family and friends to help celebrate Simhat Torah. Candy apples, music, dancing! Services will begin at 5:45 PM, followed by the Family Hakafot (procession and dancing with the Torah).

Family Service
There is a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Family Service with Rav Shai and Hazzan Glantz from past years) available on the CongregationAJ YouTube channel. You can view both below.

For Young Kids
Rav Shai and Hazzan Glantz have recorded readings of children's books appropriate for the High Holidays:
Apple Days
In God's Name
Bit by Bit