Lexington Temple Announces Jewish High Holy Day Schedule

As summer comes to a close, the Jewish High Holy Days draw nearer. And with that in mind, Temple Emunah—a Lexington temple that draws from more than 20 towns around suburban Boston—has announced its schedule of services.

According to a press release from Temple Emunah, the holiday programs actually begin at nearby Temple Isaiah, where they’ll hold a joint penitential prayer service, Selihot, with related film and discussion at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Then, Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—begins Sept. 4 and Temple Emunah will usher in the year 5774 with services beginning at 6:15 p.m. that Wednesday evening. And Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins the following Friday, Sept. 13, with afternoon services at 6:15 p.m. and Kol Nidre at 6:30.

Here’s the full text of the press release:

With August winding down, the Jewish High Holy Days are near.  Lexington’s Temple Emunah will begin holiday programs with a joint penitential prayer service--Selihot-- and related film and discussion at Temple Isaiah on August 31 at 8:30 PM. 

The New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins Wednesday evening, September 4.  Temple Emunah will usher in the year 5774 with Wednesday services beginning at 6:15 PM.  Thursday and Friday morning services will start at 8:20 AM.  Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins on Fridayevening, September 13, with afternoon services at 6:15 followed by Kol Nidre at 6:30. Saturday morning services begin at 9:00 AM. The closing service will be at 6:30 PM on Saturday.  On all three holy days there will tot experiences at 9:30 AM and Family/Teen services at 10:30 AM.  Child care is available by reservation from 9 AM-1:00 PM or 10:30 - 1:00.  

A Time of Celebration, of Repentance, and the Days of Awe

Temples Emunah and Isaiah of Lexington will join at Temple Isaiah on Saturday evening August 31 at 8:30 PM for a Selihot program--a movie, discussion and penitential prayer service. The evening begins with Havdalah, the prayer that ends Sabbath, at 8:30, followed by a PBS documentary “18 Voices Song Kol Nidre”, in which a variety of story-tellers share anecdotes about this beautiful and powerful prayer. At 10:00 PM, congregants will participate in a Selihot (penitential prayer) service led by the clergy of both temples.

Following the first day of New Year services on September 5, Temple Emunah Rabbis will conduct a service called 'Tashlikh'... a symbolic casting away of misdeeds.  This ceremony will take place at Lexington's Potter Pond at 5:30 PM (join a group walking to the pond from the temple beginning at 4:45 PM, or meet the group at the pond.) This service heightens the sense of a new start, a new chance, and helps to usher in the Days of Awe that follow Rosh Hashanah. 

The Days of Awe between the New Year and the Day of Repentance, are a time for introspection, a time to consider the previous year, to repent before Yom Kippur.  Among the customs of this time, it is common to seek reconciliation with people you may have wronged. It is the Jewish belief that Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and God but to atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that individual.