High Holidays 2020
Shana Tova! Happy New Year 5781!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the holidays so special this year, including all who volunteered and all who participated and attended. Your presence made it all possible!
Welcome to the landing page for everything High Holidays at Middlebury College.
Rabbi Danielle Stillman and alumni cantor Aaron Mendelsohn ‘95 wish you and your families a sweet new year, and we eagerly anticipate seeing you all at services this year.
This page is where you will find what you need for a reflective, connected, and joyous High Holiday season. While we won’t be gathering as a community this fall in the physical way that we usually do, we will have plenty of opportunities to be together—both on Zoom and in person when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Please visit this site often, as we will be updating it frequently with new content and opportunities.
High Holiday Sermons and Poetry
Rabbi Danielle Stillman’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Devar
Ben Dohan’s ‘20.5 Rosh Hashanah Day Devar
President Laurie Patton’s Kol Nidre Devar
Rabbi Danielle Stillman’s Yom Kippur Devar
View or print the Text Study on Jonah for Minchah discussion at 6 pm
Haftarah for Yom Kippur Morning, Isaiah 57:14-58:14
chanted and with an introduction by Robert Schine
Haftarah for Yom Kippur Minchah, first chapter of Jonah, through 2:1
chanted by Bruce Mendelsohn
Happy New Year from Rabbi Danielle
Welcome to High Holidays at Midd!
Shana Tova Everyone!
I’m Rabbi Danielle Stillman, and I serve as the High Holiday rabbi for both Middlebury College and the Havurah of Addison County, located here in the town of Middlebury. There is a long and beautiful tradition here of these two communities coming together to celebrate and pray during the New Year. This year, since we are primarily on line, we hope to expand our community even further to welcome in family members and alumni from far and near. We will be led by myself and our cantor, Midd alumnus Aaron Mendelsohn.
Like everything this year, High Holidays will be different. We usually gather in Mead Chapel, up on the hill on Middlebury’s campus, but this year we will be gathering virtually on Zoom from whatever space we find ourselves in right now. Services will be shorter than usual, to take into consideration Zoom fatigue. We are planning an in-person and outdoor, physically distanced taschlich and shofar blowing ceremony for the second day of Rosh Hashanah—these will be at different times and locations depending on whether you are a college student or a local community member. In addition, we are offering a lot of wonderful, new ways to engage with the themes of the High Holidays this year. There will be opportunities to not only pray together, but also to study, discuss, reflect, watch a movie, go on a guided nature walk, and practice yoga—all around the themes of renewal, returning and forgiveness of these Ten Days of Awe. These other opportunities are being offered and led by a huge team of students and local Havurah and Community members.
Those opportunities will live and be accessible on our High Holiday website, which you can access on campus with go/highholidays2020. Those off campus can look for it on the Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life page, or at go.middlebury.edu/highholidays2020. Please go to this website right away (if you’re not already here) to see the schedule, register for the prayer services so you can fully participate in them, and to get excited for the High Holidays!
Since we are each going to be attending the services from our different spaces, here are some suggestions for how one might arrange one’s space in order to really feel the holiness of these Days of Awe. Think about finding a space in your house or room that lends itself to prayer and reflection. Set this space up ahead of time with comfortable seating, your prayer book, your prayer shawl and kippah, if you have one, and any other objects from your room or home that can help delineate a space and make it feel more sacred. Unless you are in a residence hall, you can have candles to light at the beginning of the holiday. For Yom Kippur you may want to have a yarzheit candle, and/or photos of loved ones. Try to find some grape juice for Kiddush, and apples and honey to dip at the end of the evening service, and have them close at hand.
You will also want to think about your screen space. Close all your browsers, email and other apps except what you are using to see the service. Make that service full screen. Turn off or silence your cell phones and any other distractions—just like you would if you were coming to synagogue.
You will want to dress comfortably, but also consider wearing something a little more formal and beautiful than the every day. This is not for the sake of looking a certain way on Zoom, but rather to honor the sanctity of a day when we metaphorically appear before the Divine to ask for another year of life.
Although our approach will be different this year, some things will be very much the same. We will connect to each other as a community. We will celebrate that we are here, entering another year together, and that we can take this time to make the intention to change in our life and in society for the better. We are still taking in the crisper air of autumn, and singing the familiar melodies of these ancient holidays. I am sincerely looking forward to doing this with all of you, and immeasurably grateful to everyone who has helped with this effort. Please explore all the different offerings we have for this year and chose the ones that will be renewing and uplifting to you.
Shana Tova u’metukah—wishing you a sweet and good New Year!
B'sefer Chaiim
Aaron Mendelsohn Singing:
B’sefer Chaim Beracha Veshalom
U’farnasa Tova
Nizacher Venikatev Lefanecha
Anachnu Vechol Amcha Beit Yisrael
Lechaim Tovim, u-l’shalom.
May we and all people be inscribed for life, sustenance, blessing and peace in the book of life.
Please join me and the Middlebury College Vermont Communities for the High Holidays this year. You can register via the link included on this post (on this website).
Shana Tova u’metukah (a sweet new year).
Haftarah for Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Art Berenbaum chants I Samuel 1-2:0
Haftarah for Rosh Hashanah
(א) וַיְהִי֩ אִ֨ישׁ אֶחָ֜ד מִן־הָרָמָתַ֛יִם צוֹפִ֖ים מֵהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וּשְׁמ֡וֹ אֶ֠לְקָנָה בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֧ם בֶּן־אֱלִיה֛וּא בֶּן־תֹּ֥חוּ בֶן־צ֖וּף אֶפְרָתִֽי׃ (ב) וְלוֹ֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֔ים שֵׁ֤ם אַחַת֙ חַנָּ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית פְּנִנָּ֑ה וַיְהִ֤י לִפְנִנָּה֙ יְלָדִ֔ים וּלְחַנָּ֖ה אֵ֥ין יְלָדִֽים׃ (ג) וְעָלָה֩ הָאִ֨ישׁ הַה֤וּא מֵֽעִירוֹ֙ מִיָּמִ֣ים ׀ יָמִ֔ימָה לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֧ת וְלִזְבֹּ֛חַ לַיהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת בְּשִׁלֹ֑ה וְשָׁ֞ם שְׁנֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־עֵלִ֗י חָפְנִי֙ וּפִ֣נְחָ֔ס כֹּהֲנִ֖ים לַיהוָֽה׃ (ד) וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיִּזְבַּ֖ח אֶלְקָנָ֑ה וְנָתַ֞ן לִפְנִנָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ וּֽלְכָל־בָּנֶ֛יהָ וּבְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ מָנֽוֹת׃ (ה) וּלְחַנָּ֕ה יִתֵּ֛ן מָנָ֥ה אַחַ֖ת אַפָּ֑יִם כִּ֤י אֶת־חַנָּה֙ אָהֵ֔ב וַֽיהוָ֖ה סָגַ֥ר רַחְמָֽהּ׃ (ו) וְכִֽעֲסַ֤תָּה צָֽרָתָהּ֙ גַּם־כַּ֔עַס בַּעֲב֖וּר הַרְּעִמָ֑הּ כִּֽי־סָגַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד רַחְמָֽהּ׃ (ז) וְכֵ֨ן יַעֲשֶׂ֜ה שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֗ה מִדֵּ֤י עֲלֹתָהּ֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה כֵּ֖ן תַּכְעִסֶ֑נָּה וַתִּבְכֶּ֖ה וְלֹ֥א תֹאכַֽל׃ (ח) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָ֜הּ אֶלְקָנָ֣ה אִישָׁ֗הּ חַנָּה֙ לָ֣מֶה תִבְכִּ֗י וְלָ֙מֶה֙ לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְלִ֔י וְלָ֖מֶה יֵרַ֣ע לְבָבֵ֑ךְ הֲל֤וֹא אָֽנֹכִי֙ ט֣וֹב לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲשָׂרָ֖ה בָּנִֽים׃ (ט) וַתָּ֣קָם חַנָּ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֛י אָכְלָ֥ה בְשִׁלֹ֖ה וְאַחֲרֵ֣י שָׁתֹ֑ה וְעֵלִ֣י הַכֹּהֵ֗ן יֹשֵׁב֙ עַל־הַכִּסֵּ֔א עַל־מְזוּזַ֖ת הֵיכַ֥ל יְהוָֽה׃ (י) וְהִ֖יא מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל עַל־יְהוָ֖ה וּבָכֹ֥ה תִבְכֶּֽה׃ (יא) וַתִּדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר וַתֹּאמַ֗ר יְהוָ֨ה צְבָא֜וֹת אִם־רָאֹ֥ה תִרְאֶ֣ה ׀ בָּעֳנִ֣י אֲמָתֶ֗ךָ וּזְכַרְתַּ֙נִי֙ וְלֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח אֶת־אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְנָתַתָּ֥ה לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ זֶ֣רַע אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וּנְתַתִּ֤יו לַֽיהוָה֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו וּמוֹרָ֖ה לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עַל־רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ (יב) וְהָיָה֙ כִּ֣י הִרְבְּתָ֔ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְעֵלִ֖י שֹׁמֵ֥ר אֶת־פִּֽיהָ׃ (יג) וְחַנָּ֗ה הִ֚יא מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת עַל־לִבָּ֔הּ רַ֚ק שְׂפָתֶ֣יהָ נָּע֔וֹת וְקוֹלָ֖הּ לֹ֣א יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֥הָ עֵלִ֖י לְשִׁכֹּרָֽה׃ (יד) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ עֵלִ֔י עַד־מָתַ֖י תִּשְׁתַּכָּרִ֑ין הָסִ֥ירִי אֶת־יֵינֵ֖ךְ מֵעָלָֽיִךְ׃ (טו) וַתַּ֨עַן חַנָּ֤ה וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֲדֹנִ֔י אִשָּׁ֤ה קְשַׁת־ר֙וּחַ֙ אָנֹ֔כִי וְיַ֥יִן וְשֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א שָׁתִ֑יתִי וָאֶשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖י לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ (טז) אַל־תִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ לִפְנֵ֖י בַּת־בְּלִיָּ֑עַל כִּֽי־מֵרֹ֥ב שִׂיחִ֛י וְכַעְסִ֖י דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי עַד־הֵֽנָּה׃ (יז) וַיַּ֧עַן עֵלִ֛י וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לְכִ֣י לְשָׁל֑וֹם וֵאלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל יִתֵּן֙ אֶת־שֵׁ֣לָתֵ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁאַ֖לְתְּ מֵעִמּֽוֹ׃ (יח) וַתֹּ֕אמֶר תִּמְצָ֧א שִׁפְחָתְךָ֛ חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ וַתֵּ֨לֶךְ הָאִשָּׁ֤ה לְדַרְכָּהּ֙ וַתֹּאכַ֔ל וּפָנֶ֥יהָ לֹא־הָיוּ־לָ֖הּ עֽוֹד׃ (יט) וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ בַבֹּ֗קֶר וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וַיָּשֻׁ֛בוּ וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל־בֵּיתָ֖ם הָרָמָ֑תָה וַיֵּ֤דַע אֶלְקָנָה֙ אֶת־חַנָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַיִּֽזְכְּרֶ֖הָ יְהוָֽה׃ (כ) וַיְהִי֙ לִתְקֻפ֣וֹת הַיָּמִ֔ים וַתַּ֥הַר חַנָּ֖ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֤א אֶת־שְׁמוֹ֙ שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י מֵיְהוָ֖ה שְׁאִלְתִּֽיו׃ (כא) וַיַּ֛עַל הָאִ֥ישׁ אֶלְקָנָ֖ה וְכָל־בֵּית֑וֹ לִזְבֹּ֧חַ לַֽיהוָ֛ה אֶת־זֶ֥בַח הַיָּמִ֖ים וְאֶת־נִדְרֽוֹ׃ (כב) וְחַנָּ֖ה לֹ֣א עָלָ֑תָה כִּֽי־אָמְרָ֣ה לְאִישָׁ֗הּ עַ֣ד יִגָּמֵ֤ל הַנַּ֙עַר֙ וַהֲבִאֹתִ֗יו וְנִרְאָה֙ אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְיָ֥שַׁב שָׁ֖ם עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ (כג) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהּ֩ אֶלְקָנָ֨ה אִישָׁ֜הּ עֲשִׂ֧י הַטּ֣וֹב בְּעֵינַ֗יִךְ שְׁבִי֙ עַד־גָּמְלֵ֣ךְ אֹת֔וֹ אַ֛ךְ יָקֵ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־דְּבָר֑וֹ וַתֵּ֤שֶׁב הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ וַתֵּ֣ינֶק אֶת־בְּנָ֔הּ עַד־גָּמְלָ֖הּ אֹתֽוֹ׃ (כד) וַתַּעֲלֵ֨הוּ עִמָּ֜הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר גְּמָלַ֗תּוּ בְּפָרִ֤ים שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ וְאֵיפָ֨ה אַחַ֥ת קֶ֙מַח֙ וְנֵ֣בֶל יַ֔יִן וַתְּבִאֵ֥הוּ בֵית־יְהוָ֖ה שִׁל֑וֹ וְהַנַּ֖עַר נָֽעַר׃ (כה) וַֽיִּשְׁחֲט֖וּ אֶת־הַפָּ֑ר וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֶת־הַנַּ֖עַר אֶל־עֵלִֽי׃ (כו) וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י חֵ֥י נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אֲדֹנִ֑י אֲנִ֣י הָאִשָּׁ֗ה הַנִּצֶּ֤בֶת עִמְּכָה֙ בָּזֶ֔ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃ (כז) אֶל־הַנַּ֥עַר הַזֶּ֖ה הִתְפַּלָּ֑לְתִּי וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה לִי֙ אֶת־שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁאַ֖לְתִּי מֵעִמּֽוֹ׃ (כח) וְגַ֣ם אָנֹכִ֗י הִשְׁאִלְתִּ֙הוּ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה כָּל־הַיָּמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֔ה ה֥וּא שָׁא֖וּל לַֽיהוָ֑ה וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ שָׁ֖ם לַיהוָֽה׃ (פ)
(1) There was a man from Ramathaim of the Zuphites, in the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. (2) He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. (3) This man used to go up from his town every year to worship and to offer sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh.—Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD there. (4) One such day, Elkanah offered a sacrifice. He used to give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; (5) but to Hannah he would give one portion only—though Hannah was his favorite—for the LORD had closed her womb. (6) Moreover, her rival, to make her miserable, would taunt her that the LORD had closed her womb. (7) This happened year after year: Every time she went up to the House of the LORD, the other would taunt her, so that she wept and would not eat. (8) Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why are you crying and why aren’t you eating? Why are you so sad? Am I not more devoted to you than ten sons?” (9) After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose.—The priest Eli was sitting on the seat near the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.— (10) In her wretchedness, she prayed to the LORD, weeping all the while. (11) And she made this vow: “O LORD of Hosts, if You will look upon the suffering of Your maidservant and will remember me and not forget Your maidservant, and if You will grant Your maidservant a male child, I will dedicate him to the LORD for all the days of his life; and no razor shall ever touch his head.” (12) As she kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. (13) Now Hannah was praying in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. (14) Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Sober up!” (15) And Hannah replied, “Oh no, my lord! I am a very unhappy woman. I have drunk no wine or other strong drink, but I have been pouring out my heart to the LORD. (16) Do not take your maidservant for a worthless woman; I have only been speaking all this time out of my great anguish and distress.” (17) “Then go in peace,” said Eli, “and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.” (18) She answered, “You are most kind to your handmaid.” So the woman left, and she ate, and was no longer downcast. (19) Early next morning they bowed low before the LORD, and they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah and the LORD remembered her. (20) Hannah conceived, and at the turn of the year bore a son. She named him Samuel, meaning, “I asked the LORD for him.” (21) And when the man Elkanah and all his household were going up to offer to the LORD the annual sacrifice and his votive sacrifice, (22) Hannah did not go up. She said to her husband, “When the child is weaned, I will bring him. For when he has appeared before the LORD, he must remain there for good.” (23) Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do as you think best. Stay home until you have weaned him. May the LORD fulfill His word.” So the woman stayed home and nursed her son until she weaned him. (24) When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a jar of wine. And though the boy was still very young, she brought him to the House of the LORD at Shiloh. (25) After slaughtering the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. (26) She said, “Please, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you and prayed to the LORD. (27) It was this boy I prayed for; and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. (28) I, in turn, hereby lend him to the LORD. For as long as he lives he is lent to the LORD.” And they bowed low there before the LORD.
Yom Kippur September 27 and 28, 2020
Sunday, September 27
Kol Nidre
Join us for the moving melodies of Kol Nidre, and a Yom Kippur sermon offered by President Laurie Patton. Kol Nidre will be played on the violin and sung by Eleanor Mayerfeld ‘19.5 and Rabbi Emeritus of Middlebury College Ira Schiffer.
Monday, September 28
Shacharit – Morning Service
Themes of the morning service and the Yom Kippur liturgy.
Torah Service
Chanting of the Torah—the ancient atonement offerings of Yom Kippur.
Sermon
Rabbi Danielle Stillman will share reflections.
Yizkor - Memorial Service
Anyone is welcome to Yizkor, whether you are remembering someone specific this year, or would just like to take a moment to acknowledge the enormous loss of life our country, and the world, has experienced recently. This year’s Yizkor service will be led by Rabbi Emeritus Ira Schiffer.
Musaf
This section contains some of the key moments of the Yom Kippur liturgy.
Interactive Family service
Gentle Yoga for Yom Kippur Afternoon
Joanna Colwell, a beloved local yoga teacher, will be leading us through a gentle practice that supports both fasting and reflection as we prepare ourselves for the final prayers of this day. Joanna teaches in the Iyengar Style and has been teaching remotely on Zoom since March. Wear comfortable clothes, and clear a space where you can do some moving, lay a mat if you have one, and focus on your yoga practice.
Minchah – Reading of the Book of Jonah and discussion.
We will read through the story of Jonah and learn and discuss some related texts.
Neilah, closing service
The closing of the gates. This is our last opportunity on Yom Kippur to turn toward a new approach for the new year.
Shofar Blowing and Havdalah
Hearing the sound of the shofar for the last time of the season, and re-entering regular time through the havdalah ceremony.
The Ten Days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
High Holiday Perspectives and Reflections Lunches
Hello! We want to create a sense of community during the High Holidays for you to connect with college students across several campuses. We will be holding small group lunches during the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (September 21-25), where you can come together and reflect on the past year and the year to come. You will be given discussion questions to guide your conversation and help you think deeply in these days of repentance. There is a lot to process during this time, especially this year, and we hope to create a space where we can come together. The lunches will be 12-1pm, and we invite you to attend as many as you would like. Click here to sign up!
These lunches are being created and organized together by students from Middlebury, Swarthmore and Williams Colleges.
Radical Social Justice to Prepare for Yom Kippur
In this workshop, participants will discuss and learn about the ways in which radical social justice is relevant today and within Jewish tradition. We will do a Jewish text study that explores themes of radical social justice. We will also explore the interconnectedness of social justice issues and look for ways in which our actions can have meaningful impacts. Participants will leave with an actionable step that they can start working towards in this new year. Join us if you are interested in exploring this topic! Please come ready with paper and writing utensil(s)! Created by Mina Kianovsky and Keara Berlin (Macalester), Bella Pucker and Yamit Netter-Sweet (Middlebury), Naomi Horn and Simon Herz (Swarthmore) and Tali Natter (Williams).
To receive a Zoom link for this event, please email Yamit.
Collective Joy
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Friday, Sept 25, 8pm EDT/7pm CDT for the Shabbat service
Join Rachel and Alex from Middlebury, Jared from Macalester, and Zoe from Swarthmore in a collective ritual of joy email experience! Sign up below and we will send you a brief email on each of the Ten Days of Teshuva (repentance). Experiences include a collaborative Spotify playlist, poems, guided meditation, just to name a few. The first email will be sent out THIS SATURDAY September 19th. ALSO: Join us for an intercollegiate Friday Night Shabbat Service on Friday September 25th, 8PM EDT / 7PM CDT. This is a very special Shabbat, Shabbat Shuvah, which falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - our two holiest holidays.
10Q
10Q is a project of Reboot. When you sign up, they send you a question a day for the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The questions help you reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. This year they are accompanied by questions to help you reflect on this time of COVID as well. When you submit your answers, they store them for you and then email them back to you next year for you to see!
Sign up on their website: https://www.doyou10q.com/
The TAM/Red Kelly Trail next to the Golf Course
High Holiday Nature Pilgrimage
This nature pilgrimage will lead you through a series of reflections and experiences related to Rosh Hashanah. Twelve signs are posted along the TAM section of the woods that runs from near the track, up along the golf course and toward Route 30. As you walk at your own pace, each sign will invite you to pause and reflect on a different aspect of the holiday. We hope to have this pilgrimage installed on Friday, September 18 and we plan to leave it up until after Yom Kippur. Special thanks to Living Tree Alliance for creating it. Please note that this opportunity is only open to students because this section of the TAM is closed to visitors at this time.
One Thing I Ask
Wesleyan students Sarah Backer and Lisa Stein sing words from Psalm 27, verse 4. Arranged by Lisa Stein. This is video is shared as part of Creative High Holidays collaboration between Middlebury, Macalester, Swarthmore, Wesleyan and Williams. More exciting content/ritual opportunities will be posted as it is created.
Music playing, singing.
Achat sha’alti me’eit Adonai, otah avakesh (2x)
Shivti b’veit Adonai, kol y’mei chayay
Lachazot b’noam, b’noam Yah, u’l’vaker b’heikhalo (2x)One thing I ask, I ask of You, I earnestly pray for
That I might dwell in Your house all the days of my life
Knowing the beauty, the beauty of You, and to dwell in Your holy house!
Rosh Hashanah, September 18-20, 2020
Friday, September 18
Evening Service
Welcome the New Year with our Erev Rosh Hashanah service, and a sermon from Rabbi Danielle. Prepare apples and honey to bless and dip together after the service!
Saturday, September 19
Shacharit, morning service
This condensed service will sing us into a prayer space where we can begin to reflect on the themes of the New Year.
Torah Service
We will hear the story of Sarah and Hagar chanted from the Torah, and give and receive blessings through Aliyot.
Sermon
Ben Dohan ‘20.5 will share his thoughts.
Closing Prayers
This section will combine some highlights of the Rosh Hashanah musaf service, and the closing prayers.
Interactive Family service
Zoom link to be shared with those who register, please select chant service
Rosh Hashanah Chanting Service
Rebecca Gould will offer an hour of contemplative chant in the style of her teacher, Rabbi Shefa Gold (https://www.rabbishefagold.com/). Contemplative chant is an opportunity to get underneath the “wordiness” of our traditional liturgy and to focus on a “sacred phrase” that lies within a larger prayer, song or piece of text. By chanting the sacred phrase, we can take that phrase into our bodies and into our hearts and souls, perhaps accessing the meaning of a text in new and/or deeper ways.
Our hour together will be informal, “come as you are” and does not require any prior knowledge or experience. We will do some High Holy Days favorites, as well as learn some new chants. If you are shy about “singing in a group” this is the year for you to try chanting, because in Zoom format no one will be hearing you but YOU!
The TAM parallel to the golf course
Rosh Hashanah Nature Walk
This nature pilgrimage will lead you through a series of reflections and experiences related to Rosh Hashanah. Twelve signs are posted along the TAM section of the woods that runs from near the track, up along the golf course and toward Route 30. As you walk at your own pace, each sign will invite you to pause and reflect on a different aspect of the holiday. We hope to have this pilgrimage installed on Friday, September 18 and we plan to leave it up until after Yom Kippur. Special thanks to Living Tree Alliance for creating it. Please note that this opportunity is only open to students because this section of the TAM is closed to visitors at this time.
Sunday, September 20
Havurah members will receive an email with the location. If you are not on that list, please contact Mitch Pearl: mitchpearlvt@gmail.com
Outdoor, in person service, tashlich and shofar blowing for Havurah and Community members
An opportunity to come together in person to pray a short piece of the musaf amidah, engage in the ritual of casting off what we want to leave behind from our past, and in hearing the shofar. Wear your mask, dress for the weather, and remember to keep social distance. Bring your prayer book if you have one. Note that this is for Havurah and Community members only.
The Binding of Isaac
The Akedah, or “Binding of Isaac,” is one of the most challenging stories we read in Torah. Join us to hear it chanted and wrestle with its meaning in a discussion led by Curt C. and Else Silberman Professor of Jewish Studies, Robert Schine.
meet behind the MAC (Arts Center) above the pond
Outdoor tashlich and shofar blowing for Middlebury Students
An opportunity to come together in person and engage in the ritual of casting off what we want to leave behind from our past, and in hearing the shofar. Note that this is for Middlebury students only.