WEST BRATTLEBORO — At sundown on Friday, Sept. 15, Jewish people in Vermont and all over the world welcomed Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5784. During the 10-day sacred period known as "the Days of Awe," Jewish belief says people are called to return to their highest selves and make amends to those they have wronged, work toward forgiving others and themselves, and seek atonement (At-One-ment) for the ways they have "missed the mark" during the past year.
On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a 25-hour fast is devoted to introspection and prayer. Ne'ilah, the closing service of Yom Kippur, begins at sundown, giving the congregation a final chance to ask for forgiveness and to pray for life as the symbolic Gates of Heaven are closing.
Congregation Shir Heharim (Brattleboro Area Jewish Community - BAJC) invites (1)Jews and their families and friends to their Yom Kippur services. Rabbi Amita Jarmon will be accompanied by congregants on voice, cello, guitar, and piano. Services will be held at the West Village Meeting House (All Souls Church), 29 South St., and are accessible via livestream.
Yom Kippur services begin on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. with the "beautiful and haunting" Kol Nidre prayer, and resume on Monday, Sept. 25th. A Yizkor service to remember and honor departed loved ones will be held at approximately 12:15 p.m.
They will break at 1:30 p.m. before resuming the afternoon service at 5 p.m. with a reading of the Book of Jonah and a contemplative process about transgression, regret, and forgiveness. Ne'ilah begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a communal break-fast. Childcare will be provided from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 25.
BAJC organizers say they hope guests will help cover the expenses of making the services available to all by contributing to their High Holiday Appeal. Contributions can be mailed to BAJC, P.O. Box 2353, Brattleboro, VT 05303. Contributions from guests will be applied toward membership if they choose to become a member at any time during the year.
For more information, leave a message at 802-257-1959 or email marthadmin@bajcvermont.org or ravamita@bajcvermont.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.