HIGH HOLIDAYS AT GJC
At GJC, the High Holidays showcase the diversity of our community and the wide variety of spiritual experiences available here. We look forward to sharing all that we are and all that we offer with you. If you have questions about our services and programming or are interested in becoming a GJC member, please email Kate Lawn at community@germantownjewishcentre.org. L’Shanah Tovah! We are thrilled to have you with us! Read GJC’s High Holiday welcome letter here!
HIGH HOLIDAY GUEST TICKETS (CLICK HERE TO ACQUIRE)
High Holiday services and programs will be in-person outdoors as well as accessible by Zoom and live-stream. E-tickets and Zoom links will be sent to GJC members and those who have purchased guest tickets via email 1-2 weeks before Rosh ha-Shanah. If you do not receive your e-tickets and links by Wednesday, September 1, please contact Kate Lawn at program@germantownjewishcentre.org. Emails and voicemails will be answered up to 3:00 PM on Friday, Sept 3, and then beginning again Thursday, Sept. 9 through 3:00 PM on Sept. 15. To maintain security, links will not be posted on our website or on social media, and we ask that you not share links with non-members or those that do not have guest tickets.
ATTENDING HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES:
- Click here for GJC’s COVID policies.
- Click here for a complete schedule of services and programs.
- Help us prepare by filling out this short survey!
- In-Person Outdoors: Germantown Jewish Centre is turning itself inside out for the High Holidays! The Charry Service, Dorshei Derekh, and Minyan Masorti services will all be held under separate tents outside the building. Children’s services, Kol D’mamah, and text studies will also be held outdoors under tents. Masks are required for those age 2+ regardless of vaccination status. No services will be held indoors. Bathrooms will be accessible.
- Remote Access: In addition to in-person outdoor services, Germantown Jewish Centre will provide multiple ways to attend High Holiday services remotely. Please see full details under each of the minyanim.
- Zoom: Zoom links for services will be sent out to all members and those who have purchased guest tickets in advance via email. To maintain security, links will not be posted on our website or on social media, and we ask that you not share links with non-members or those that do not have guest tickets.
- Video stream: The Charry Service and Dorshei Derekh service will both broadcast on separate StreamSpot video streams. While it is not interactive, this broadcast provides high video and audio quality.
- Audio stream: Click on this link, then click in the upper right-hand corner to switch to audio-only mode
- Attending Services: Diversity is the hallmark of our Jewish lives at GJC, and we will, as usual, be offering multiple options for celebrating the High Holidays. We encourage you to attend services either in person or remotely, according to your comfort and preference, and we look forward eagerly to being together and greeting the New Year as a community.
- The Charry Service
- in-person outside (masks required for age 2+), Zoom, and Live-Stream
- The Charry Service, led by Rabbi Zeff and Nina Peskin, will be held in-person outdoors under the front lawn’s “Maple Tent,” and also accessible by Zoom and live stream for the High Holidays.
- Minyan Masorti
- in-person outside (masks required for age 2+) and a separate Zoom service
- Minyan Masorti will be holding services in-person outside under GJC’s “Parking Lot Tent.”
- Minyan Masorti will also be holding a separate service over Zoom. For more information and the links to that service, please contact Ned Kripke or Aaron Finestone.
- Minyan Dorshei Derekh
- in-person outside (masks required for age 2+), Zoom, and Live-Stream
- Dorshei Derekh services will be held in-person outside in GJC’s backyard, under the “Backyard Tent,” and online for the High Holidays. For more information, please contact Mark Pinsky.
- Live-stream Dorshei Derekh’s High Holiday services here.
- Kol D’mamah Services and Yoga
- in-person outside (masks required for age 2+), weather permitting
- Contemplative services focusing on meditation, Hebrew chant, breath, and movement as well as yoga will be offered in person outside in GJC’s Sukkah. Please click here for the complete schedule.
- Text Studies
- in-person outside (masks required for age 2+), weather permitting
- Text studies led by Rabbi Rebecca Richman will be offered on each day of Rosh ha-Shanah and on Yom Kippur in person outside in GJC’s Sukkah. Please click here for the schedule and descriptions.
- Text study sheet Rosh ha-Shanah Day 1: “Chana’s Prayer: From in the Depths”
- Text study sheet for Rosh ha-Shanah Day 2: “Safrut: A Taste of Scribal Tradition”
- Text study sheet for Yom Kippur: “A Joyous Day? Reconsidering the Energy of Yom Kippur”
- High Holiday Children & Family Services
- in-person outside under GJC’s front lawn “Pine Tent” (masks required for age 2+)
- All services take place on Rosh ha-Shanah Day 1, Rosh ha-Shanah Day 2, and Yom Kippur.
- This year, GJC’s Youth High Holiday Programming will be held onsite at GJC. Consecutive family and children’s services will be held on both days of Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur beginning at 9:00 AM. Jewish preschool sensation Anna Goldberg, along with RRC students and new Religious School/Confirmation teachers Rebecca Van Wagner and Lesley Pearl, will lead services with music, creativity, and age-appropriate reflection on the Jewish meanings of these holy days. At noon, Lesley Pearl will take the teens (7th grade and up) on a spiritual journey of contemplation and conversation. At the end of every service, the shofar blast will sound to ring in the new year.
- 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM: Family service focused on 0-5-year-olds (for children and their grown-ups)
- 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM: Family service focused on 1st – 3rd grade (for children and their grown-ups)
- 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM: Youth service focused on 4th-6th grades (families welcome!)
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Teen Experience and Reflection on the Meaning of Life and the High Holidays
- The Charry Service
PROGRAMS & SPECIAL EVENTS
High Holiday Virtual Food Drive: Join Team GJC in raising $1800!
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
This year, in partnership with Philabundance, GJC is hosting a virtual food drive to raise funds for the more than 700,000 people facing food insecurity in the Delaware Valley area. Every $1 donated helps Philabundance provide two meals to someone in need. Click the link above to participate!
S’lichot Musical Service with G’vanim, Shawn Hennessey & Roger Mgrdchian (Saturday, August 28 at 8:15 PM)
Rosh ha-Shanah Family JAM (Monday, September 6 at 5 PM)
Erev Rosh ha-Shanah Musical Service: Singing in the New Year (Monday, September 6 at 6 PM)
Tikkun Tashlich (Tuesday, September 7 at 4 PM)
Yom Kippur Oscar Bregman Hevruta Program
Looking ahead to Sukkot? Order your lulav and etrog through the Little Shop here!
High Holiday Torah Readings
High Holiday Divrei Torah & Talks Archives