Rabbi's Weekly Email

PREPARE FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH CONGREGATION HABONIM

Embrace the Hebrew month of Elul and take this time to prepare
for the High Holy Days. 

Some say Elul/אלול is an acronym for Et L'vavcha v'et L'vav/The holy one will open your heart and the hearts of your offspring to love Gd with all your heart and soul so that you may live (Deut 30:6). This opening is an invitation to one of the foundational pillars of the High Holy Days and this time of year, T'shuvah. T'shuvah calls us to explore and rediscover who we are and open most fully to the New Year. 

Our calendar of Elul events invites us to ask questions, visit texts old and new, experience rituals from a new perspective, gather with friends, meet new people and more. Take a look, mark your calendar and register by the individual program deadlines. This is a great time to introduce friends to Habonim. Check our weekly email, website ​​​​​​​, and Facebook page  for reminders and for additional programs and opportunities. 

Thursday, August 20, 8 pm
Surprise Findings: Uncovering a Mikveh in Israel
Join with Congregation Habonim community on Thursday, August 20, 2020/1Elul5780, as we welcome the month of Elul with licensed Israel tour guide Anat Harrel who was present with archaeologists when a Roman-era mikveh was discovered last month down the road from her home on Kibbutz Hannaton. You can read about the shocking discovery of the mikveh here

Program is free of charge. Invite friends! 

Register here. You must write your name on the Zoom screen (or phone number for dial in participants) for admission from waiting room.

Click here for Zoom link
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: PRAY
1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: 600438

Friday, August 28, 3 pm
Braids, rounds, and some really awesome twists: 
Challah Shaping 101
Join Rina for this Challah SHAPING Zoom Workshop so you have delicious fresh challah for Shabbat.  Bring your once risen dough and yourselves and get ready to learn how to beautifully braid challah for Shabbat and shape round challah just in time for the High Holiday season.  Bonus challah that we will create: Bab-challah or Chal-abka (a Babka/challah twist for a REALLY sweet new year). 

Note: You will need yeast for your dough, and in some places this is difficult to find - if that's the case, please email Rina  by Friday, August 21, and she will mail some for you to use for the challah dough recipe.

Register here by Monday, August 24 to get ingredients/supply list and what you'll need to prepare in advance.

Tuesday, September 1, 7:30 pm
Recipes and Remembering
For many, food in taste, aroma, and story is a hallmark of holiday celebrations. Enhance your High Holy Day preparations (and shopping list!) by sharing favorite recipes and the stories that accompany them with friends and community. 

RSVP by Friday, August 28 to Janet Cord  
Send recipes and remembrances to recipeswap@habonim.net ​​​​​​​ by August 28. 

Click here for Zoom link
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: PRAY
Dial in at 1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: 600438

Thursday, September 3, 3 pm
Create your own Sanctuary: Bringing the holiness of the High Holiday season into our homes through art, words, and creativity

For children in Grades 3-5 (parents are welcome too)  

A Zoom workshop to create your very own sacred-space backdrop to use in your home when praying with your Habonim community.

Register here by Thursday, August 27 to get supply list and Zoom link.

Tuesday, September 8, 11 am
Opening to Prayer: Lessons from Hannah
The High Holy Days present prayer as one of the paths to changing our future. Hannah is known in our tradition for her fervent prayer. What does her story as shared in the Haftarah of Rosh Hashanah ( I Samuel 1 & 2 ) teach us about how prayer is seen and experienced? How might we use Hannah's strategies to uplift our prayers this year?

RSVP to  rabbigelber@habonim.net  with HANNAH in the subject line by Sunday, September 6.

Click here for Zoom link
Meeting ID:  871 2221 0329
Password: TORAH
Dial by your location  +1 929 205 6099   Meeting ID: 871 2221 0329  Password: 400750

Tuesday, September 8, 4 pm
Getting ready for the High Holidays:
Make your own High Holiday Treasure Chest  
  
This program is for children in pre-K through Grade 2 (together with a parent or caregiver).

Karen will guide children through creating their very own High Holiday Box/Bag to use during Congregation Katan and help you celebrate the Jewish New Year in your own home.  Be ready for fun through art, stories and even a few songs as you begin to get ready for the High Holiday season.

Register here ​​​​​​​ by Tuesday, September 1 to get supply list and Zoom link

Sunday, September 13, 4 pm
Tashlich from Home, for Children and their Grownups - no water necessary
This year, try Tashlich/the ceremony of letting go of the ways we missed the mark...without water! During our time together, we'll clear the way for a new year of blessing. 

RSVP here by Tuesday, September 8, for supply list and Zoom link. 

Saturday, September 12
S'LICHOT
Havdalah - 7:40 pm
S'lichot Melodies - 8 pm
Say good-bye to the week that was and open to a new week of opportunity and potential. Following Havdalah, we will celebrate Ellen Mendel in anticipation of her special birthday. Then Cantor Halev will engage us in the resonant melodies of the High Holy Days as we move into the final week of preparation for the High Holy Days.

Yasher Koach to Ellen Mendel for sponsoring S'lichot again this year.

No RSVP required.

Click here for Zoom link ​​​​​​​
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: PRAY
Dial in at 1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: 600438

Sunday, September 13, 7:30 pm
Making the most of the Machzor
Our High Holy Day prayer book, Machzor Lev Shalem, contains traditional liturgy and interpretive text. In this session, we'll look at the way in which our Machzor is organized, think about the intentions of the editors and reflect on how preparation may enhance your High Holy Day experience. Participants should have access to a copy of Machzor Lev Shalem. 

If you have not yet registered to collect a Machzor,  do so here . Pick up takes place Wednesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 27, from 10 am - 2:00 pm. Please specify your choice of pick-up date on the registration form.

RSVP here

Click here for Zoom link
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: PRAY
Dial in at 1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: 600438

Monday, September 21, 7:30 pm
Tashlich for Grown Ups from Home - no water needed  
The custom of Tashlich, casting away one's sins arose in the 13th century to the dismay of those who thought it would take the place of T'shuvah/returning to one's deepest self. In this session, we'll examine who we are, what holds us back and what we want to release to welcome a new year in blessing. Participants will need paper and writing/drawing utensils.

RSVP here

Click here for Zoom link
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: PRAY
Dial in at 1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 352 859 5384
Passcode: 600438

Shofar Project with Institute of Jewish Spirituality (IJS)
August 21-September 18
The Shofar Project is a free program during the month of Elul. Each week will focus on a different aspect of awakening and renewal. After registering, you will receive emails with the links to video teachings and a variety of live online events that explore the week’s theme,

DEADLINE FOR SIGN UP IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 20:
Click here for registration and program information.