High Holidays 2021–5782

Selihot—Climate Up Close
On Saturday, August 28, we'll welcome Climate Up Close, an apolitical and policy-neutral organization founded by a group of climate scientists. Their mission is to make the essentials of climate science accessible to a broad audience. Joining us in person will be Dr. Nadir Jeevanjee and Dr. Aaron Match and joining us via Zoom will be Nathaniel Tarshish and Katie Latimer. They will be presenting a program that connects our behavior as individuals and AJ congregants to broader issues of climate change. Minhah at 7:00 PM, followed by Seudah Shlishit*, Ma’ariv and Havdalah, the Program with Climate Close Up, and the Selihot Service. In person and via Zoom. 

For AJ congregants: If you plan to attend in person, and haven't yet submitted the High Holiday RSVP, you can do that here (proof of vaccination and masks required). If you prefer to attend via Zoom, the link will be provided in this week's congregant password email.

For non-congregants: If you plan to attend by Zoom, please register here so we can send the Zoom link to you! We welcome you to attend all of the evening's services, but the Climate Up Close program will begin at 8:30 PM.

*The Seudah Shlishit has been carefully planned to keep congregants safe and healthy. Tables will be socially distanced and food will be individually packaged.

Annual Memorial Cemetery Service
On Sunday, September 12, Rav Shai will officiate at this service at the Adath Jeshurun Cemetery at 1855 Bridge Street near Walker Street in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Join us at 10:00 AM as we remember Jews of past generations buried in this historical cemetery. In person only.

Break the Fast CANCELED
Due to COVID-19, we have canceled Break the Fast. We will refund the registration fee to anyone who has already registered.

Annual Sukkah Decorating Pizza Party
On Sunday, September 19, the entire congregation is invited to join us as we prepare for Sukkot together. We’ll congregate in the sukkah and eat, schmooze and hang decorations. Bring the kids and any decorations that you’d like to contribute (original artwork encouraged). The fun begins at 12:15 PM. Please register here. In person only. Proudly sponsored by the AJWA Sisterhood.

Sukkot Dinners
After much time away, we are excited to be able to gather again inside of AJ’s Sukkah!

Each evening of Sukkot, we’ll be celebrating by having dinner in the AJ sukkah. See the offerings for each night below; a selection of desserts will be included. Registration for each night is required. RSVP no later than September 13. You can register for any or all of the dinners here. Service in person and via Zoom.

Monday, September 20,
following 6:15 PM evening service
Pizza and Pasta Night. Enjoy baked ziti, eggplant parmesan, pizza (classic or vegetable), and garden salad! (No charge)

Tuesday, September 21,
following 6:30 PM evening service
Deli Sandwiches. Help yourself to chicken and vegetarian options for a Kosher meat dinner. (No charge)

Wednesday, September 22,
following 7:00 PM evening service
Grilling/Cookout. Get chicken and vegetables, hot off the grill! (No charge)

Thursday, September 23,
following 6:30 PM evening service
The Adult Education Committee* has invited author Noam Zion, author and Senior Fellow Emeritus at the Shalom Hartman Institute, to join us via Zoom from Israel to discuss his new book, “Sanctified Sex: The Two-Thousand-YearJewish Debate on Marital Intimacy.” For dinner, choose from chicken, salmon or a vegetarian option when you register. ($18 per person). If you would prefer to watch the presentation from home, it will be available on Zoom.

Friday, September 24, 6:15 PM
Hazzan Glantz will be leading fellow congregant musicians of K’lei AJ to welcome Shabbat with music. The service will be followed by an oneg in the sukkah.

Saturday, September 25,
following 6:35 PM Havdalah
Join us for Waffles and Ice Cream Social in the Sukkah! (No charge)

Sunday, September 26,
at 6:00 PM, prior to 7:00 PM evening service
Bring your own dairy dinner to AJ and  shmooze with fellow congregants. We’ll supply dessert!

In addition, following Shabbat services on Saturday, September 25, we’ll have our first Kiddush Lunch together since March of 2019! Don’t miss it!

AJWA Sisterhood Craft Program in the Sukkah
On Sunday, September 26, AJWA Sisterhood will gather in the Sukkah for a presentation from horticulture therapist Mona Gold on the origins of the lulav and etrog in honor of Sukkot. Following the presentation will be a crafting activity creating decorative mini pumpkins, perfect for tables from Sukkot to Thanksgiving. Please register here. In person only. 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

High Holiday Food Drive
Nourish families in need by participating in the High Holiday Food Drive!

Food Collection at AJ. There will be food collection bins from September 7 through September 28 at the Sanctuary and Lower entrances. This year, Federation is requesting the following items: Canned Beans—Kosher required; lower salt preferred (i.e., legumes, chick peas, etc.); Nut Butters—Kosher required; lower salt preferred (i.e., peanut butter, almond butter, etc.) and Canned Fish—Kosher required; (canned tuna, salmon, sardines, etc.). Please make sure that all donations have a current date, are properly sealed, and aren't in bulk sizes.

Alternatively…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 Stretch.

Or…You can purchase food through the Mitzvah Food Program Amazon Wish List (https://tiny.cc/MFPOYR) so that products are shipped directly to a pantry.

Israel Bonds
Please consider supporting the Israel Bonds program (www.israelbonds.com). Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds ranks among Israel’s most valued economic and strategic resources, with a record of proven success spanning 70 years. Praised for its dependability, the Bonds organization has helped build every sector of Israel’s economy. In 2020, despite challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the Bonds organization secured historic U.S. sales of $1.5 billion.

Partnering in Israel’s success story through investment in Israel bonds is global in scope. Worldwide sales have exceeded $46 billion since the first bonds were issued in 1951. Proceeds from the sale of Israel bonds have played a decisive role in Israel’s rapid evolution into a ground-breaking, global leader in high-tech, greentech, and biotech. Member FINRA

MAZON
For 35 years, MAZON has been fighting for systemic change so that no one in the U.S. or Israel struggles with hunger. They use policy solutions, partnership grants, community engagement, and a quick reaction fund to transform how it is into how it should be. You can contribute to MAZON here.