High Holiday Services

       Rosh Hashanah                                                    Yom Kippur
   September 16th, 2012                                          September 25th, 2012
7:30 P.M. Evening Service                                     7:30 P.M. Kol Nidre

  September 17th, 2012                                           September 26th, 2012
Children's Service    9:00 AM                           Morning Service    10:00 A.M.
Morning Service     10:00 A.M.                         Yizkor                   12:15 P.M.
                                                                       Children's Service    4:15 P.M.
                                                                       Concluding Service 5:15 P.M.

Reform Services Led by
Rabbi David Degani & Cantor Lee Degani
at
Olympic Heights High School Theatre

Tickets $100.00 adults, $35.00 children, services at Olympic Heights High School Theatre
Click 'Forms' below to print order form for tickets or call 561-488-8079

Babysitting Room Available for Morning Services

Rosh Hashanah

...In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be a sabbath for you, a remembrance with shofar
blasts, a holy convocation. -Leviticus 16:24

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head
of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is
somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the
year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans
use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to
begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new
year. More on this concept at Days of Awe.

The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as
Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is
instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this
holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. The
Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call
to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat.

Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a
sweet new year.

Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or
river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins.
Small
pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off.

Yom Kippur

...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ...
For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD. -Leviticus
16:29-30

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other
Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on
the 10th day of Tishri. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26 et seq.

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day
set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. In Days of Awe, I mentioned the "books" in
which G-d inscribes all of our names. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is,
essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make
amends.

As I noted in Days of Awe, Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another
person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the
wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed
to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before
sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Wearing leather
shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging
in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.

As always, any of these restrictions can be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In fact, children
under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not
permitted to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the third to the seventh day after
childbirth are permitted to fast, but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do so. People with
other illnesses should consult a physician and a rabbi for advice.