High Holy Days for Adas Israel

Greetings friends!  We are fast approaching the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and those very important ten days between the two. Before we get to the schedule allow us to share a bit about what this time of year means to Jews around the world.

Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year isn't like the secular new year that is celebrated with balls dropping and confetti flying. While it is a day of celebration and hope it is also the start of the Ten Days of Repentance, our opportunity to get right with our fellow humans and with G-d. The goal is to take this time to do some serious introspection about our actions toward others and then make apology to those whom we may have wronged.  You see, it's not enough to pray that G-d forgives we must also ask for forgiveness from others. We also pray on this day that G-d will look at our positive actions and accept the sorrow that we display for our negative actions. The goal is to be inscribed into the "Book of Life" for another year.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) concludes the Ten Days of Repentance. It is the day when G-d makes judgement on us. It is a day of prayer and fasting. We are to "afflict" ourselves so that we hunger for the mercy of the Almighty. The fast starts at nightfall on the day before Yom Kippur and ends at nightfall on Yom Kippur...it's roughly a 26 hour fast with no water nor food. Those who require medication and/or food are allowed to consume. Following the closing prayers Jews gather for a Break-Fast a light meal that signals the end of the fast. 

We then, immediately begin our preparations for the holiday of Sukkot. More on that later next month.

You can find all of these holidays in the Torah...  Here is the schedule for Adas Israel, The Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City:

Rosh Hashanah services start at 7:15pm on Sunday the 29^th of September. Following the services we will have a celebration meal. The menu is below.  Morning services will be on Monday the 30^th starting at 10:00am.

Rosh Hashanah Evening Menu (Cynthia Lewerke Catering)

            Hazelnut Crusted Fish

            Apple Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

            Beet Salad with Feta

            Honey Glaze Roasted Vegetables

            Potato Kugel with Shallots

            Sesame Honey Thins

            Apple Geletto

            Apple Slices with Honey – For Dipping

            Sweet Challah

Kol Nidre Services for Yom Kippur will begin on Tuesday the 8^th of October at 7:15pm and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) services will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday the 9^th of October. The Break Fast will take place that evening after sundown.

All are welcome....see you in Shul!