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The New Shul

Yom Kippur

Rabbi Meir of Premishlan taught that the entire message of Yom Kippur can be summed up in a single phrase from the book of Yonah, which we read on Yom Kippur afternoon:  “Mah l’kha nirdam? — Why are you sleeping?” Those are the words that the captain of the ship shouts at Yonah as the ship is being tossed by the storm.

Yom Kippur is a wake-up call for all of us. At some level, we all know what our true priorities ought to be, what really matters in life. But we let ourselves be lulled to sleep by our routine, even as our ship is blown off course. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to awaken us, to remind us of what we already know. All of the rituals and symbols of the day are for that single purpose, to shake us out of our complacency so that we see our lives more clearly, and remember who we really wish to be. May this Yom Kippur be a time of awakening for all of us, so that we can make our lives a source of blessing in the coming year.

  • The New Shul’s services for Yom Kippur begin at 6 pm on Friday evening September 13, and at 8:15 am on Saturday September 14. We encourage those who would like to join us in the tradition of wearing white clothes and avoiding leather shoes on the holiday. We will blow the shofar to end the fast at 7:20 pm on Saturday evening. After Yom Kippur, the shul will host a break-fast, open to all. Complete information on our Yom Kippur services is available here.
  • Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am and on Wednesday mornings at 7 am.
  • Sukkot begins on Wednesday evening September 18. The New Shul’s services for Sukkot are on Thursday and Friday mornings, September 19 and 20, beginning at 9 am.
  • Sh’mini Atzeret begins on Wednesday evening September 25. Our service for Sh’mini Atzeret (which includes Yizkor, the memorial prayer) is on Thursday morning September 26, beginning at 9 am.
  • Simhat Torah begins on Thursday evening September 26. Join us for hakafot and dancing beginning at 7 pm. Our service for the morning of Simhat Torah is on Friday September 27 beginning at 9 am.
  • Please note that there will be no e-bulletin next week or the week after due to the holidays. The bulletin will resume on Thursday October 3. Shabbat services will continue as always, at 6 pm on Friday evenings and 9 am on Saturday mornings.
  • To learn about classes offered by Rabbi Kanter through the Women’s Jewish Learning Center, please visit the WJLC website here.