Temple Sinai to Open Its Doors for High Holy Days

Temple Sinai in Summit will be inviting local families to celebrate the Jewish New Year together this year when the Reform congregation hosts High Holy Days services next month.

Children's services, which will last a half hour, will be held on Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. while a half-hour Yom Kippur children's service will be held on Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m.

“These fun and interactive services are a warm and special way for families to enjoy the high holy days with their children,” said Rabbi Stuart Gershon, who will lead the services along with Cantor Marina Shemesh.  

During the services, Amy Damast, director of the temple's early childhood education program, will tell and sing stories while children, parents and grandparents will be asked to sing along.

"Eminently accessible and requiring no prior knowledge of Hebrew or religious ritual, the services offer special moments in Jewish tradition, including inviting the children to touch the Torah scrolls," according to a press release for the service.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 5, a Tashlich ceremony will be held in Shepard Kollock Park in Chatham, inviting members and non-members to join in the celebration of "casting off" sins by throwing bread crumbs into the Passaic River.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the joys of the New Year,” said Gershon. “Our goal is to open the doors of our house and welcome you into our sanctuary to enjoy the best of our cultural and spiritual traditions."

No RSVP is necessary and anyone wishing to participate should enter the temple through the portico entrance.