L shalom, Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin

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1 Dear Friends, In just a few weeks, we begin a new Jewish year, with all the possibilities it brings. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur offer us a chance at a new beginning, an opportunity to wipe our slates clean and start over. The High Holidays invite us to stand in front of family, community, and God, and pronounce that we have faith in the future, that it can be better -- and that we can be too. This year, the task of being hopeful feels more challenging than usual. As I write, the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is on the verge of collapsing. There are riots in Ferguson, MO, after a police officer shot and killed an unarmed Black teenager. Closer to home, many in our community mourn the tragic death of a four-year-old in Bellingham just a few weeks ago. Amidst all this bad news, where do we find the hope and strength to start over? For me, grappling with these questions is at the heart of the high holidays. Rather than the holidays being a time when we celebrate our certainty, the Days of Awe actually ritualize our sense of uncertainty. In the Unetaneh Tokef and other prayers, we proclaim that only God knows who will live and who will die, and how our lives will unfold. In the face of fear for our personal and collective destinies, we turn inward, reflecting on how we can respond generously to the hands life has dealt us. And, we turn toward one another, exploring how we can support each other through our challenges and triumphs. We affirm that we do not have all the answers. In chanting prayers about God s sovereignty, we proclaim that we ourselves are neither all-powerful nor all-knowing. We pray that God is bigger than our fears and doubts, wider than our imaginations. So, this year, I hope you will join us as we embolden one another to start over. Let us embrace the possibility that each of us can become closer to the people we wish to be, and nourish a fervent hope for a more peaceful, just, and loving world. L shalom, Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin

2 2014/5775 High Holidays 5775 is drawing near and we are looking forward to having you join us for the High Holidays. Services will once again be led by our rabbi, Margie Klein Ronkin. Rabbi Klein Ronkin is a dynamic, creative leader with a beautiful singing voice. We will continue to conduct services that are egalitarian and traditional, in both English and Hebrew with prayer books that have English transliterations to help everyone follow and join in the services. While being respectful of tradition, we also strive to develop new ways to make the holidays more meaningful and relevant for today s modern Jews. Once again, while we hold our regular Shabbat services at the Ashland Community Center, due to space considerations our High Holidays services will continue to be held at the Federated Church (118 Main Street) in Ashland. All non-jewish symbols are either removed or covered. Schedule of Services for Rosh Hashanah Erev Rosh Hashanah Wednesday 9/24 7:00 pm Federated Church of Ashland Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Thursday 9/25 9:30 am Federated Church of Ashland Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Friday 9/26 9:30 am Federated Church of Ashland Schedule of Services for Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Friday 10/3 6:00 pm Federated Church of Ashland Morning Service Saturday 10/4 9:30 am Federated Church of Ashland Neilah Service Saturday 10/4 6:00 pm Federated Church of Ashland There will be a Children s Service oriented to children ages 5-9 during the Torah Service on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur. Approximate time: 10:45-11:30. As is our custom, our services are open to the entire MetroWest Jewish community. Although we do not require membership or tickets to attend any of our services, we do have an expected donation for attending to help cover our considerable costs. Sha arei Shalom has always placed a high value on opening our services to all; we depend on these donations to help us keep this possible. Our expected donations are: Individuals: $ Couples: $ Families: $ Please mail your contribution prior to the holidays to the P.O. Box listed above. If your situation allows for a larger contribution, we would greatly appreciate it. We hope you will join us for the High Holidays. We also welcome you to join us for any of our other holiday, Shabbat, and social events. Come check out what makes us one of the warmest, most innovative Jewish communities in the area! For more information about us, visit our website at or call If you are not already a member, we hope that you will consider joining the congregation. Members do not have an additional cost for High Holiday attendance. Consider applying your High Holiday donation toward membership and help us to continue to grow and serve the MetroWest Jewish community. Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year. L'Shana Tovah, Jane Greenstein President, Sha arei Shalom

3 2014/5775 HIGH HOLIDAYS REGISTRATION PLEASE RETURN TOP PORTION OF THIS FORM BY SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 NAME(S): ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: CHILD(REN)S NAME(S) AND AGE(S): Donation: $275 single attendee $300 couple $325 family Additional donation: Date Service Time Location Wednesday, Sept. 24 th Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:00 p.m. Federated Church of Ashland Thursday, Sept. 25 th Rosh Hashanah Day 1 9:30 a.m. Federated Church of Ashland Friday, Sept. 26 th Rosh Hashanah Day 2 9:30 a.m. Federated Church of Ashland Friday, Oct. 3 rd Kol Nidre 6:00 p. m. Federated Church of Ashland Saturday, Oct. 4 th Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m. Federated Church of Ashland Saturday, Oct. 4 th Neilah 6:00 p. m. Federated Church of Ashland NOTES: SCHEDULE All services will begin promptly at the scheduled times shown above. SEATING Seating is limited, and on a first-come/first-serve basis. Plan to arrive early to avoid disappointment. BABYSITTING Babysitting for young children is available on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur day. BUILDING Although we meet in a church, during our services all non-jewish symbols are either removed or covered. PARKING The church parking lot is very limited. Parking near the church is available either behind the Ashland Town Hall or in the parking lot across from the Ashland Public Library (Front St.). On Yom Kippur day, please note that the Ashland Farmer s Market takes place in the same area that morning, so parking may be especially tight. Please leave extra time for parking. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have any questions, please contact us at or at hh@shaareishalom.org.

4 YIZKOR BOOKLET If you would like the names of your loved ones printed in our Yizkor booklet, please take a moment to this form to Toni Spitzer at hh@shaareishalom.org. If you are unable to the information, please call Toni Spitzer at Deadline for inclusion is Friday, September 19, Member Family name: In Memory of

5 Sha arei Shalom s Annual Food Drive 2014 Please help support those served by The Ashland Food Pantry Please bring items to High Holiday Services Our goal is to have every family bring at least one item Most requested items: Diapers Evaporated milk Tuna fish Canned soups Canned fruits Instant pudding Vegetable oil Mayonnaise Spaghetti sauce Granola Bars Ramen Noodles Raisins or dried fruit Boxed rice Cold cereals Hot cereals Peanut butter Instant potatoes Boxed pastas Juice Boxes Small bags of Rice