High Holidays 5783 / 2022
High Holidays 5783 / 2022
Rosh Hashanah
Pre-Days of Awe: September 9 - September 11
Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Micah Guerin Weiss, at JRC and on Zoom, no tickets required
Open the season of change with spiritual and practical tikkun (repair). Rabbi Micah Weiss comes to JRC from Reconstructing Judaism to introduce the Torah of Money – how do we spend and give with justice – and the brand new Reconstructing Judaism Resolution and Curriculum on Reparations.
In the spirit of community health and safety, all indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination.
Selichot at JRC: September 17, 9-10 pm
Join us at JRC at 9pm to gather under the summer sky and open ourselves up to the themes and music of the Season of Teshuvah/Return. We will continue our tradition of personal reflection and private accounting of wrongdoings, which we share anonymously on Yom Kippur. Join us for the practice of Cheshbon Nefesh/Accounting of the Soul, as we open the High Holiday season. All are welcome to attend in-person or via Facebook Live.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Shofar Walk: September 25, 5-6 pm
Outdoors at Dawes Park & via Facebook Live, no tickets required, masks optional
From Shofar to Shofar: We celebrate our gathering and the joy of the New Year! Greet friends and community of all ages as we walk a loop along the lakefront with 7 shofar stations. Sing with our clergy and the JRC Choir and sound the shofar across the community – bring a shofar and bring friends! – Note: this will be JRC’s only Erev Rosh Hashanah observance.
Click here to view our Shofar Walk route!
Want to be a Shofar Sounder? Please email info@jrctogether.org.
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Service: September 26, 10 am-1 pm
Indoors at First United Methodist Church of Evanston and live streamed, Tickets Required
We return to “our church” for our JRC High Holiday Traditions! Connect with your community for Teshuvah (personal reflection and accountability), Tefillah (prayer and spiritual connection) and Tzedakah (commitment to repairing brokenness through justice). Babysitting is available for children of members (18 months to 5 years). $20/child. Advanced registration is required. Please email Rabbi David Eber.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing. Guest High Holiday tickets are available here.
Rosh Hashanah Youth & Teen Programming: September 26, 10 am-1 pm
Indoors at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, Tickets Required
Kindergarten – 6th grade: Community Hofshi (Choose Your Activities!) High Holiday-themed crafts, games, books, snacks, and time with friends. Children are supervised by adults and teens. 7th grade – High School: 10:00 am – 11:00 am teens explore how the Jewish New Year affects our own lives through discussion, art, & reflection. 11:00 am – 1:00 pm teens can support Community Hofshi activities with younger children, join adult services, or relax with friends. Babysitting is available for children of members (18 months to 5 years). $20/child. Advanced registration is required. Please email Rabbi David Eber.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing. Guest High Holiday tickets are available here.
Rosh Hashanah Family Services: September 26, 3-4 pm
Held outdoors at Dawes Park by the lakefront and Facebook Live, no ticket required, masks optional
Two concurrent services for different ages: Bring the family and join Rabbi David Eber & Cantor Howard Friedland for our camp-style service featuring singing, stories, & multi-age celebration of the New Year. This service is geared towards Kindergarten – 6th grade families, but younger siblings and people of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, we will be offering a concurrent Rosh Hashanah program filled with joy and song for 0–4-year-olds and their grownups.
Tashlich: September 26, 4:30-5:30 pm
Held outdoors at Dawes Park by the lakefront, no tickets required, masks optional
Gather at Dawes Park with Rabbi Rachel and Cantor Howard on the pier. This ritual of casting out sins, and the things we’re ready to let go of in the new year, is a ritual of release and renewal. In keeping with our Jewish value of caring for our climate and earth, rather than throwing bread we invite you to cast off birdseed, small stones, frozen corn and peas, or other bird-and-fish and environmentally friendly items.
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Services: September 27, 10 am-12 pm
Indoors at JRC & via Zoom, no tickets required
Join Rabbi Rachel Weiss & Cantor Howard Friedland at home in our JRC sanctuary for our more relaxed and heimische 2nd Day service.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination.
Unetaneh Tokef for Black Lives
As a community, we have been profoundly moved by the anti-racist activism and soul-searching inspired by the unforgivable murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, and continuing as we work to break down the racist systems and culture in which our country is steeped. Below, watch our 2020 Yom Kippur confession and repentance in our Unetaneh Tokef for Black Lives, read by Rabbi Rachel Weiss. To engage with JRC’s racial equity, and anti-racism efforts, connect with JRC’s Racial Equity Task Force.
Yom Kippur
Kol Nidre: October 4, 6:30-9 pm
Indoors at First United Church of Evanston & livestreamed, tickets required
We return to “our church” to begin our 25-hour Yom Kippur spiritual retreat together. Rabbi Rachel Weiss and Cantor Howard Friedland lead us through our Day of Atonement and reflection with music, sermon, poetry, and liturgy.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing. Guest High Holiday tickets are available here.
Yom Kippur Morning Services, Including Yizkor: October 5, 10 am-1 pm
Indoors at First United Church of Evanston & livestreamed, tickets required
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, continues with our morning services weaving together Torah, music, teachings, and liturgy. The Yizkor service will take place following the Torah service, featuring time for individual remembrance. Babysitting is available for children of members (18 months to 5 years). $20/child. Advanced registration is required. Please email Rabbi David Eber.
Use This Form To Share Your Yizkor Memorial Book Submissions
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing. Guest High Holiday tickets are available here.
Yom Kippur Youth & Teen Programming: October 5, 10 am-1 pm
Indoors at First United Church of Evanston, tickets required
Kindergarten – 6th grade: Community Hofshi (Choose Your Activities!) High Holiday-themed crafts, games, books, and time with friends. – Children are supervised by adults and teens. 7th grade – High School: 10:00 am – 11:00 am teens explore how the Day of Atonement affects our own lives through discussion, art, & reflection. 11:00 am – 1:00 pm teens can support Community Hofshi activities with younger children, join adult services, or relax with friends. Babysitting is available for children of members (18 months to 5 years). $20/child. Advanced registration is required. Please email Rabbi David Eber.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing. Guest High Holiday tickets are available here.
Yom Kippur Open Mic: October 5, 1-2 pm
Indoors at First United Church of Evanston and on Zoom, no tickets required
Open Mic is a longstanding JRC tradition, in which we invite members to share their Avodat HaLev/Offerings of the Heart. While the traditional Musaf service consists of special offerings for Yom Kippur, it is our JRC tradition that these short personal reflections comprise our offerings. Any JRC member may submit a reflection, but these should not be advertisements or promotions. To submit an Open Mic offering, please contact Marla Baker at marla.hillel@gmail.com.
Here is the Zoom link for those who wish to attend Open Mic remotely:
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86178914633?pwd=ZlFXWW5CUzdoNXdoT3NaS0N3L28rQT09
Meeting ID: 861 7891 4633
Passcode: 996223
It is thoughtful reflections of diverse congregant voices that makes Open Mic so rich each year. We invite your participation. Please click this link for more information on Open Mic submissions.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. Zoom link to come.
Yom Kippur Contemplation and Connection: Member-Led Activities: October 5, 2-3:30 pm
Indoors and Outdoors at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, no tickets required, masks optional when outdoors
- Contemplative music in the sanctuary, played by JRC members
- Reparations and Teshuvah: A facilitated discussion led by Anne Wildman and Beth Lange
- Guided Meditation: A Gateway to Jewish Spirituality, led by Marty Rosenheck
- Amplifying Palestinian Voices as Teshuva, a discussion led by Jonah Karsh
- Or join us throughout the afternoon to complete the 1000-piece puzzle of JRC’s Ark, or many JRC members will meet and greet each other as they walk along the lakefront
Yom Kippur Family Service: October 5, 3-4 pm
Held outdoors at Dawes Park by the lakefront and Facebook Live, no tickets required, masks optional
Two concurrent services for different ages: Bring the family and join Rabbi David Eber & Cantor Howard Friedland for our camp-style service featuring singing, stories, & multi-age observance of the Day of Atonement. This service is geared towards Kindergarten – 6th grade families, but younger siblings and people of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, Carol Shukur will bring her 20 plus years of teaching experience to lead a concurrent program filled with joy and song for 0-4 year-olds and their grown ups.
The entire community is welcome to join us at our family services.
Yom Kippur Mincha Torah Service: October 5, 5-5:45 pm
Indoors at First United Methodist Church of Evanston & livestreamed, no tickets required
Hear readings from the Book of Leviticus and the Book of Jonah chanted in Hebrew and English by our JRC lay leaders.
In the spirit of community health and safety, indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination.
Ne'ilah By The Lake: October 5, 6-7 pm
Outdoors at Dawes Park by the lakefront and Facebook Live, no tickets required, masks optional
As the sun sets and the gates close, we close the holidays with singing, Havdalah, and one final shofar sounding. A good and sweet year to all!
High Holidays 5783 / 2023 FAQ’s
What are JRC's COVID-19 Safety Protocols for High Holidays?
- All indoor services and programs require masking and vaccination. If you have not yet submitted your COVID-19 vaccination card, you may do so here.
- All indoor services will also be livestreamed
- Masks are optional at outdoor services and programs
How can I access High Holidays remotely?
Services will be livestreamed on JRC’s YouTube channel (the one exception is Rosh Hashanah Day 2, which will be accessible via Zoom), no tickets required. Look to JRC’s calendar for additional details.
Can I attend JRC's High Holidays as a guest?
- “Chai Holidays” tickets for Young Adults 18-35: $18
- Guests who are 36 and older: $396
- Any guest of a JRC member: $270
- Children 17 and younger and full-time college students are free
If you would like to explore the possibility of becoming a member, Micky Baer, our Executive Director, would be happy to connect and answer any questions. Guests who purchase tickets and join JRC before December 1, 2022, will receive full credit for the cost of their individual tickets toward membership fees. Click here to learn more about joining JRC.
I'm a JRC member. Do I need to order tickets?
If you have not yet renewed, click this link to access our 2022-2023 Membership Commitment Form.
Where should I park for services at FUMC?
Participants will enter the First United Methodist Church of Evanston on Hinman. Parking is available at the Church Street Self Park at 525 Church Street in Evanston and there may also be street parking. The Evanston Police Department has waived the 2 hour parking limit surrounding the church during our services.
