Traditional Service: Please join Rabbi Fineberg, Cantor Gloth, and our entire community for our traditional High Holiday services in Berger Hall. We are excited to welcome many familiar faces as shlichei tzibbur (prayer leaders) and Torah readers. We can’t wait to share this special time with you.

Alternative Service: Rabbi Gordon is excited to be returning to Temple Israel to lead alternative High Holiday services. This service will bridge a traditional and more experiential prayer experience.

On both days of Rosh Hashanah (as well as Yom Kippur morning) we will begin in the Sanctuary immediately after Shacharit concludes in Berger Hall. While maintaining much of the structure of the Mahzor, this shorter service will abbreviate some traditional texts and supplement others with English poetry and reflections.

First Day Rosh Hashanah will differ notably, including a discussion in place of the sermon and enhancing the traditional davening with meditations and contemporary Hebrew and English singing. Services will be shorter than they have been historically and will include more English readings. Both days will include a full Torah reading and a curated Haftorah.

Chavurah-Style Service: Please join us at lay-led participatory services which meet primarily in the Weitzenkorn Family Chapel.  The services feature a mix of both traditional and creative davening, spirited communal singing, led by members of the congregation. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mornings, services include the Torah Service, a D’var Torah with discussion, a Heicha Kedusha Musaf, and supplementary participatory readings. On Yom Kippur, the Chavurah-Style Service also meets for Kol Nidre and Neilah. This year, Rosh Hashanah Day 1 will feature an innovative service led by Rabbi Gordon, in collaboration with lay leaders, in the Sanctuary.  Rosh Hashanah Day 2 will be a separate service led entirely by lay leaders in the Chapel.

Tashlich and Mincha at Lake Massapoag
After we celebrate, we’ll head down to Lake Massapoag for Tashlich followed by Mincha with the whole TI community. Join us as we symbolically cast away our sins. In keeping with longstanding TI tradition, please bring small pebbles or stones* to toss in the lake as we rid ourselves of behaviors that have weighed us down this year. At the lake, we’ll make sure the year isn’t off to a rocky start, that we never sink, and that our growth in life is solid and always rolling forward. Family friendly, pets are welcome (on leash per local ordinance).

*Bread is bad for the local wildlife, so to honor the mitzvah of tzaar baalei chaim/oncern for animals, please don’t bring bread.