The holidays start late in September this year! But they are just as important, if not more than ever — as we enter 5780 and wrestle with our lives and the state of the world as it is, versus the world that ought to be. It is an opportunity for wonder, reflection and renewal. Beit Ahavah invites you to celebrate with us for Rosh Hashanah (September 29-30), Yom Kippur (October 8-9) and the fall festivals of Sukkot (October 13-21) and Simchat Torah (October 20-21). Happy sweet new year!
The Jewish calendar year will soon number 5780 since the spiritual counting of the creation of the world, and Beit Ahavah enters our 21st anniversary year (the Beit Ahaversary continues!). We are a small-sized congregation but believe in the words of our Talmudic Sages who said, “To save a single life is to save the entire world,” and “Do not separate yourself from community,” the Chasidic masters who said, “G-d listens most to a broken heart,” and Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”Together we will uplift and inspire as we create a new beginning to the new year ahead!
So, welcome! We hope you will be part of creating our warm, progressive, inclusive and joyous community, led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske. Check these out:
We need you! VOLUNTEERS help immensely to make our High Holydays magical with meals and set up with creative and fun jobs, roles and moral support! Click the sign-up links below for a comprehensive list of volunteer positions and food needs:
Volunteer to bring a vegetarian, vegan or dairy food item:
We Remember Them: In preparation for the High Holydays and New Year season, we invite you to remember your loved ones who have passed away by having their names read aloud during Yom KippurYizkor Memorial Service, Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 5:45-6:15 p.m. We join congregations around the world in this meaningful ritual. “So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.” – Rabbi Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer
Submit Yizkor Names on-line form – by google form click HERE.Please note: We are asking everyone to submit names afresh, even if you have done so in years past, to ensure our list is updated. Please send your names before Friday, September 14. You can either fill out the new easy Yizkor on-line form HERE (or click for a PDF to email or return to info@beitahavah.org, 130 Pine Street, Florence, MA 01062). Please attach another page or write on the back if you need more space.
There is a suggested donation: $18 per name. We accept checks or Paypal online. Please note in special instructions that it is for “Yizkor” and if you would like an acknowledgment in the newsletter. The form in includes option information to help us such as pronunciation, date of yahrzeit (English and Hebrew calendars) and relationship to you.
Holydays at a Glance:
All services held at Florence Congregational Church unless otherwise noted.
Slichot service – Saturday, September 21 at 8:15 p.m. (at CBI, joined by Beit Ahavah, JCA, & TIG)
Erev Rosh Hashanah – Sunday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Rosh Hashanah day – Monday, September 30, 9:30 a.m. (9:15 a.m. Family service)
Kol NidreEvening Service – Tuesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m.
Yom Kippur day – Wednesday, October 9, 9:30 a.m. (9:15 a.m. Family service)
Sukkot holiday – Open Sukkahs – Sukkah events at Beit Ahavah, at people’s homes and around the Valley! September 13-21.
RUACH Community School & Commuity Sukkah celebration & potluck – Sunday, Sept. 13, 3:30-5:30 p.m. 1st Day of RUACH school for grades PreK-7.
Open Sukkahs: We are seeking “Open-Sukkah Hosts” during the week of Sukkot. Contact the office if you are building a backyard sukkah and can host a gathering!!
Simchat Torah celebration & RUACH – Sunday, October 20, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Dance with the Torahs. A uniquely Beit Ahavah community holiday celebration unrolling the whole Torah in a circle, this year we will try it outside under the trees behind Beit Ahavah. RUACH kids and families preK-7th grade come earlier from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Detailed schedule: (click to download PDF)
Especially for Families & Children:
Family Services led by Anna Sobel at 9:15 a.m. on Rosh Hashanah (Mon, Sept 30) & Yom Kippur mornings (Weds, Oct 9). There are puppets and laughter, in a service of meaningful themes for kids and their adults. Afterwards families can come down the hall to the main service which awaits them, and optional childcare is upstairs. A very festive lunch follows Rosh Hashanah services around 12:30 p.m. Later we hold a wonderful Tashlich River service at the Mill River down the beautiful path by the rocks at 3:00 p.m. led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske & Marlene Rachelle — dress casual and dogs are welcome. Teens & Youth will have holiday discussions led by teen and youth specialists and parents, announced around 11:15 a.m. by the Rabbi during the Torah service.
Note on Kids Wanted in Sanctuary: Our rabbi, Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, ALWAYS encourages kids of all ages (0-18) in services, as much as they want, and bringing books and soft toys is fine. She fondly remembers listening to the choir’s music, prayerbook poetry aloud and the time to be in her own thoughts on the special days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as a child, and thinks all kids deserve spiritual recognition and time away from school to observe and develop in their own ways too! There is optional Childcare held upstairs also for when kids want to just relax and play, or parents want a break to get their spiritual focus too – just check your kids in and out please.
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