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. L’Shanah Tovah! We are thrilled to have you with us! Read GJC’s High Holiday welcome letter here!
HIGH HOLIDAY PRAYER BOOK COORDINATION
This year, as we cannot meet in person for services, Germantown Jewish Centre will be lending each member household 1 prayer book for the High Holidays to be able to follow along with services. If you were unable to pick up a machzor during distribution times, please email Dick Menin to coordinate delivery.
PURCHASE HIGH HOLIDAY GUEST TICKETS
The links for all High Holiday services and programs were sent to GJC members and those who have purchased guest tickets on Tuesday, Sept. 15. If you have not received your links, please contact Kate Lawn at program@germantownjewishcentre.org. Emails and voicemails will be answered up to 3:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 18 and then from Monday through 3:00 PM on Friday, Sept 25. 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. The Charry Sanctuary Service will livestream on our Mixlr and StreamSpot links and can be accessed by the general public (see below).
Purchase High Holiday Guest Tickets if you are a GJC member
Purchase High Holiday Guest Tickets if you are not a GJC member
Inquire about becoming a GJC member by emailing Kate Lawn, Program & Membership Director, at community@germantownjewishcentre.org.
GENERAL HIGH HOLIDAY INFORMATION
- Remote access: Germantown Jewish Centre will provide multiple ways to attend High Holiday services and programs remotely.
- Zoom: Zoom links for all services and programs 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 Sanctuary service and Oscar Bregman Memorial Program will be broadcast on our StreamSpot video stream, available on the homepage or at this link. While it is not interactive, this broadcast will provide a higher video and audio quality than is available over Zoom without the security problems that come with an interactive system.
- Audio stream: As they have been for many years, all services will be broadcast on our Mixlr audio stream, available on the homepage or at this link.
- Multiple options: Diversity is the hallmark of our Jewish lives at GJC, and we will, as usual, be offering multiple options for celebrating the High Holidays:
- Charry Sanctuary Service will be held on Zoom, StreamSpot, and Mixlr (see above) for the High Holidays. High Holiday services in the Charry Sanctuary will be led by Rabbi Zeff and Nina Peskin as in past years. We will also incorporate participation by a wide range of GJC members via video, so that we will hear a number of our community’s voices over the High Holidays–including our GJC Choir! A detailed schedule of services, prayers, and speakers with approximate times is available here so that you can make sure to be there for your favorite parts. 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.
- Minyan Masorti will be holding services on Zoom for the High Holidays. For more information, please contact Lawrence Charap.
- Minyan Dorshei Derekh will also be holding Zoom services on the High Holidays. For more information, please contact Mark Pinsky
- Kol D’mamah: Contemplative services focusing on meditation, Hebrew chant, and breath and movement will be offered via Zoom on Rosh ha-Shanah Day 1 and 2 and Yom Kippur. Please see here for the complete schedule.
- Torah & Yoga: With gentle movements and breathing meditations, clear stress, calm your mind, and gently energize your body. It is embodied prayer. Give yourself the gift and come nurture yourself as well as receive an energy boost to prepare for the final hours of Yom Kippur. Torah & Yoga will be offered from 3:30-4:30 PM on Yom Kippur.
- High Holiday Children & Family Services: This year, GJC’s Youth High Holiday Programming will be held virtually on one Zoom channel. Family and children’s services will be held on both days of Rosh ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur beginning at 9:00 AM. Jewish music sensation Chana Rothman, along with GJC Education Director Abby Weinberg, will lead services with music, creativity, and age-appropriate reflection on the Jewish meanings of these holy days. At noon, Asia IrgangLaden will take the teens (7th grade and up) on a spiritual journey of contemplation and conversation. Every 15 minutes before the hour, Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg will lead a fun and inspirational “wake up” program based on the teachings of the Shofar to help us align our bodies, breath, and minds and help us receive the New Year with gratitude and grace!
- 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: Family service focused on 0-5 year olds: “Rosh Hashanah ABCs: Apples, Bees, and Caring for Each Other & the Earth”
- 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM: “Embodied Shofar: Stretching Towards the New Year”
- 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Family service focused on 1st – 3rd grade: “Treasure Hunt Through Rosh Hashanah!”
- 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: “Embodied Shofar: Stretching Towards the New Year”
- 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Youth service focused on 4th-6th grades (Families welcome!): “Rosh Hashanah: The Gathering 5781”
- 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: “Embodied Shofar: Stretching Towards the New Year”
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Teen Discussion and Reflection on the Meaning of Life and the High Holidays with Asia IrgangLaden
- 12:45 PM – 1:00 PM: “Embodied Shofar: Stretching Towards the New Year”
PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND BEIT MIDRASH
S’lichot Musical Service (Saturday, September 12 at 8 PM)
Erev Rosh ha-Shanah Musical Service: Singing in the New Year (Friday, September 18 at 6 PM)
High Holiday Food Drive (Monday, September 21 through Sunday, September 27)
Yom Kippur Oscar Bregman Memorial Program: Creating a Vision to Move Philadelphia Forward in the Face of 2020’s Challenges