Congregation Sinai wishes you! Rabbi David B. Cohen • Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. BrickmanCantor Lauren Phillips • Director of Youth Ed ucation Barbara Shimansky, MSWDirector of Administration Karen Lancina • Program Coordinator Jen Friedman 8223 N. Port Washington Road • Fox Point, WI 53217414.352.2970 • www.congregationsinai.orgRosh Hashanah September 4-6 Yom Kippur September 13-14 5774
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Rabbi David B. Cohen • Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Brickman Cantor Lauren Phillips • Director of Youth Education Barbara Shimansky, MSW Director of Administration Karen Lancina • Program Coordinator Jen Friedman
8223 N. Port Washington Road • Fox Point, WI 53217 414.352.2970 • www.congregationsinai.org
Dear Fellow Congregation Sinai members:In early June, toward the end of the school year, I
was helping my son, Harrison, with his math homework. Hewas learning about conversion equations (e.g., equations toconvert yards to meters, kilograms to pounds, Fahrenheit to
Celsius, etc). He had to come up with his own conversionequation. He decided to do the Hebrew Calendar and the“regular” calendar. He acknowledged that it would not beexact because New Year’s Day and Rosh Hashanah occuron different days. I said, “You know, this year Rosh Hasha-nah happens much earlier. Right around the time you goback to school in the fall, it will be Rosh Hashanah.” Hestopped writing, put his pencil down, looked me in the eyes,and said, “Dad! I have not even had a single day of summervacation yet, and you are already talking to me about school
starting next fall!” He got up and walkedto the front door to go outside. My wifeasked him where he was going. He said,
“Dad is trying to take away my summer. Iam going out to play!”While my children enjoy their summer,and I am prohibited from mentioning thestart of the school year until at least Au-gust 1 (they actually picked a date), I want
you all to know that the High Holy Day sea-son is right around the corner. Enclosed inthis packet is information to help you planand make the Holy Days more enjoyableand meaningful. Please take the time to
read everything and note our convenienton-line registration for programs, becauseit is happening sooner than you may think(or your children may want to hear).
Dan Elias and I look forward to seeing (and, fomany, meeting) you and sharing the High Holy Days together. If we have not met, and Dan or I fail to introduce ouselves, please take the time to introduce yourselves to us. Ithere is anything that Dan or I can do to make your experence at Congregation Sinai better, please let us know.
On behalf of the Sinai members who serve on ouBoard of Trustees, Dan and I wish you and yours a sweeNew Year. May 5774 bring health, happiness and bless
ings. We look forward to sharing the High Holy Days wityou.B’Shalom
Andy Gollin & Dan EliaCo-President
Dear Congregation Sinai Family:In his book, The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of
Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks andFeels, Thomas Cahill said that Judaism changed the waypeople think about time. Prior to the Israelites, people sawtime as an unending circle, repeating its course year afteryear for all time. Certain times of year were propitious forcertain occurrences, e.g. liberation in the spring, harvest inthe fall, etc. Given this circular notion of time, repeating itscycle every year, people lived with the assurance of a pre-dictable existence, the promise that “what goes aroundcomes around.”
Judaism presented a new way to look at time.There was still a notion of a yearly cycle and recurring holydays, but there was a new idea of the possibility of progressand change. In partnership with God, people have the ca-pacity, indeed the responsibility, to change the world for
good. No longer constrained by the patterns of the past,people are free to imagine a better world and then to try toobtain it.
Progress and change are the themes of these highholy days, as well. Yet, Rosh Hashanah is not so much atime to hit the reset button. Instead, it’s a moment to recog-nize that no matter what errors we may have made this pastyear we have the power to change our behavior in the com-ing year for the good. As Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik taught,we cannot erase the past, but we can begin to layer overthose errors with, more positive and ethically grounded new
experiences. This, indeed, is a rootmeaning of Yom Kippur, a day of cover-ing over, covering over our past mistakeswith new, untainted experiences.
Yom Kippur is a day of covering over but it is not a day of covering up.The process of Teshuvah demands thatwe recognize and try, to the extent that itis possible, to undo the damage we’vecaused. This work is no trifling matter. Itdemands that we aim for exquisite and sometimes painfuhonesty. It means we have to approach those whom we havewronged and ask their forgiveness, even as we pledge to dobetter this coming year. It means believing that we canchange the world and change ourselves.
Does Yom Kippur work? It’s a matter of definitionWe cannot completely eradicate the impulses that lead us
astray; that is why there is Yom Kippur on the calendar fonext year and the year after. What we can do is believe thawe have within us the power to change, to progress. When wedirect our efforts to those ends we are fulfilling our role obeing God’s partners, of completing the work of creation.
I hope this year is one of growth, satisfaction, changeand peace for you and yours,
8:00 p.m. Dessert ReceptionWe will begin the evening with
coffee and dessert in the foyer
8:30 p.m. Selichot StudyRabbi David Cohen moderates a panel discussion
in the spirit of the biblical proverb “Teach Us to
Number Our Days That We Acquire a Heart of
Wisdom: Personal Reflections on Aging”
10:00 p.m. Selichot Service
When I was in fifth grade,my classmates and I each had togive a report on one of the fiftystates, assigned to us through thehighly scientific method of choos-
ing names out of a hat. I drew Wis-consin. At first I was a little disap-pointed, since I had been holding out for Hawaii. But part of the as-signment involved bringing in afood that the state is known for.
The fact that I was able to bring in ice cream made the pro- ject a little sweeter. Little did I know that I would one day beliving in the Badger State.
Was it divine intervention – foreshadowing my pathto Milwaukee when I was just ten years old – or just astrange coincidence? We may never know for sure, but thisis the type of question that comes up frequently during this
High Holy Day season.The issue of fate figures prominently into the HighHoly Day liturgy. We spend time reflecting on the year that isending, looking forward to new beginnings that lie ahead. Inthe Un’taneh Tokef we recite a litany of questions relating towhat might happen in the year to come. How many will pass,and how many will be created? Who will live and who willdie? B’Rosh Hashanah yi’kateivun u’v’Yom Tzom Kippur
yikateimun: On Rosh Hashanah they will be written down
What is Selichot? The word “Selichot” means forgiveness.
The holiday of Selichot is a way of preparing forthe High Holy Days.
The liturgy itself is complex and inspiring.It draws on texts from all over the High Holy Dayprayer book, as well as from ancient liturgical po-ems.
In reform congregations, the Selichot litur-gy highlights some of the most significant texts
and melodies of the days of repentance, like Avi-nu Malkeinu and Shema Koleinu.Join us for Selichot so that we can prepare
for the High Holy Days together on Saturday, Au-gust 31st beginning with a dessert reception at8:00 pm. Selichot study will begin at 8:30 pm.Selichot services will be at 10:00 pm.
Selichot
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and on Yom Kippur they will be sealed. Musically, thesewords echo as a solemn yet hopeful refrain, reminding us ofthe fragility of life and our desire for wholeness. Only G-dknows the answers.
As our liturgy states, however, our fate can presum
ably be changed through acts of teshuvah, tefillah, and tzedakah – repentance, prayer, and charity. During the Days ofAwe, we engage in these three activities in an extremely fo-cused and intense way. However, they should not be forgot-ten during the rest of the year. Just as a marathon runnergradually works up to being able to complete those 26.5miles, we must constantly train ourselves to reflect, reachout, and give to others.
Whether it was fate or mere coincidence that led meto join the Congregation Sinai family, I could not be more
excited to be spending my first High Holy Day season withyou. I look forward to singing with you, praying with you, and just simply being with you during this time of new begin
nings, new adventures, and new friendships.Shanah Tovah u’metukah – may it be a joyful andsweet year for all of you,
invite you to break-the-fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur services on
Saturday, September 14, 2013.
Shanah Tovah
We look forward to breaking the fast with you!
Kugels & Desserts Needed!If you are able to bake a kugel or dessert, please let us know what you are bringing byregistering at: http://bakingforbreakthefast2013.eventbrite.com no later than September 8th.Questions? Contact Judy Shor at [email protected] you are unable to bake, monetary donations are also appreciated. Please make checkspayable to Women of Sinai. Drop off at the synagogue office or mail to Sinai.
Yom Kippur 10 Tishrei 5774
N'ilah (Concluding) Service - Families Welcome
• Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 5:30 PM •
Join us for the final opportunity to reflect on High Holy Day themes
before the gates of repentance close.
Please bring your children to share in this special candlelit service.
Bring your own shofar for this very moving and meaningful
and Volunteer Opportunities for Kids & AdultsThe High Holy Days at Sinai provide an opportunity for meaningful participation at all ages.
During services your children should be seated with you or in our youth programming at all times.
Rosh Hashanah—Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.
Yom Kippur—Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.
Kindergarten - Grade 5(Children will be in classrooms according to grade level and activities will be geared toward their specificage group)
Rosh Hashanah Youth Programming Activities will include:
Age appropriate Rosh Hashanah themed stories and craft activities
Youth service (K-5 grades are all together for service--approx. 45 minutes)
Snack
Yom Kippur Youth Programming Activities will include:
Age appropriate Yom Kippur themed ethics activities (i.e. story time with Jonah and the Whale,discussion groups, drama and movement activities related to overcoming obstacles and making goodchoices for the year ahead)
Create items to hang and decorate the Sinai Sukkah from the harvest of our Sinai garden
Youth service (K-5 grades are all together for service--approx. 45 minutes)
Light Snack
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*Continue on the next page for more youth programming.
6th - 8th GradesFor both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, our 6th through 8th graders will have a chance to take a breakfrom the main service to have a discussion in a relaxed atmosphere, led by an adult from our Sinai com-munity, on themes related to the High Holy Days. They will be “excused” all together from the main ser-
vice to spend about an hour for discussion, and return all together to sit with their parents again.
9th - 12th Grades All interested 9th through 12th graders are invited to sign up to volunteer to help out in the classrooms forthe High Holy Day Youth Programming. Please feel free to sign up to volunteer for either Rosh Hashanahor Yom Kippur, or both.
Adult Volunteers
We need adult volunteers to work in the classrooms for our High Holy Day Youth Programs. If you are in-terested, please sign up and we will be in touch to discuss responsibilities and options. Please sign up forRosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or both. Registration below.
Have questions about our High Holy Day Youth Programming or volunteering?
Tickets: Two tickets are included with this packet for each member household. Their children age 30 and younger(and their significant others) will not need separate tickets and should be seated with their families. Guest ticketsare available for purchase.
Guest Tickets: Congregation Sinai Guest Ticket Policy encourages families and friends to celebrate and praytogether, as well as encourages congregational affiliation.
Please purchase your guest tickets by completing the enclosed High Holy Day Guest Ticket Request Form and re-turning it to Congregation Sinai no later than August 23rd. There is a $50 per person per holiday guest ticket
cost. Payment must be received before tickets will be mailed.
Guest tickets are available to all out-of-town family and friends without limitation in receiving tickets year afteryear.
Guest tickets are available to local family and friends one-time only. If your local family and/or friends wish toattend in subsequent years, we ask these guests to consider joining Congregation Sinai.
If your guests are members of another congregation (URJ or otherwise) there will be no guest ticketcharge. Guests must contact their synagogue for a reciprocity letter and arrange to have the form sent to Con-gregation Sinai as soon as possible.
Visiting another congregation? If you are traveling during the Holy Days and wish to worship at another URJ-member synagogue, please contact the Sinai office so that we may help you arrange for guest tickets in thecommunity that you will be visiting.
PARKING
Parking: We have limited spots available in our parking lot. There is additional parking available at Maple DaleSchool and on Port Washington Road.
Parking Attendants: Our parking attendants are here to ease your experience. Thank you in advance for yourcooperation.
Parking Pass: Your parking pass should be on the dashboard of your car so that you are not ticketed in the parkinglot or on the street.
Disabled Parking Spaces: are limited. Please arrive no less than 30 minutes prior to services to ensure parking.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Congregation Sinai is an accessible congregation for all of your needs. If you are in need of hearing assistance,transportation, or reserved seating, please contact Karen Hintz in our office, (414) 352-2970 or
PRAYER BOOKSCongregation Sinai worships on the Holy Days while using the red “Gates of Repentance” prayer book. A limitedsupply are available to borrow from Sinai for each service. You are encouraged to purchase your own copy of “Gates of Repentance” for $25 by calling Karen Hintz in the Sinai office prior to the Holy Days.
For all tickets, parking accommodations, prayer book arrangements please contact Karen Hintz
You get shvitzadik? - Sit on the ends. You get kalte? - Sit in the middle.Not sure? - Bring a sweater.
Make room for Bubbe! When coming to Sinai, remember that some of ushave an easier time walking from Port Washington Road than others. If you’re able, please reserve our little parking lot for those who need it.
Shush! It’s great to catch up with friends and fellow congregants. Please remember to keep yourconversations during services to a minimum. The mishpacha should also sit together. Keep yourschool-aged children worshipping with you. Let’s work together to create an environment worthyof prayer.
I know you think it’s standard Jewish practice to be late, but these are the Holy Days…so comeon….be on time and don’t save seats.
It’s the time of renewal….and as one door closes, another opens…..open your hearts to CantorLauren Phillips (from Long Island, oy) to help us begin the New Year.
The choir is so beautiful - how lucky we are to have them. Let’s be sure to join them in song evenif you sing like me!
The folks who wear carnations? They are our volunteer ushers, here to make your experience
more comfortable and safe. Don’t forget to thank them!
Gesundheit, oy, these allergies are killing me - outside is bad enough with all that pollen in the air,let’s keep our Sanctuary as it’s meant to be….Fragrance Free. Leave the Chanel at home.
Not everyone is as fortunate as we are! On Erev Rosh Hashanah there will be a brown bag onyour chair. Take it home and fill it up (with non-perishable food, of course). Return it by Yom Kip-pur for the Jewish Community Pantry. It’s a MITZVAH!
Bubbe (and Congregation Sinai) wish you and your family Shanah Tovah U’Metukah! May youhave a happy and a sweet new year! And remember, all those sweet apples have plenty of goodfiber.
Bring It On, Bubbe!
(really – this will be funnier if you read it with the appropriate accent)
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P.S. Did you know the Holy Days don’t end with a little Break-the-Fast nosh???Oh yes, there’s more……