Congregation Beth El lists holiday services

BANGOR – Congregation Beth El has announced its High Holiday schedule. The schedule is for worship services on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

No tickets are required to attend services and the synagogue is wheelchair accessible.

The schedule is:

. Evening service, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12.

. Rosh Hashanah evening service, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.

. Rosh Hashanah morning service, 10 a.m. Children’s service and activities for children up to age 10, sign in, 9:50 a.m.

. Rosh Hashanah family service, 1 p.m.

. Tashlich, 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Kol Nidre, 7:30 p.m.

. Yom Kippur morning service, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Children’s service and activities for children up to age 10, sign in, 9:50 a.m. Just Johah discussion, 1 p.m. Yom Kippur family service, 2 p.m. Yom Kippur afternoon service, 3 p.m. Yizkor service, 4 p.m. Worship-Ne’ilah service, 5 p.m. Break the Fast, 6 p.m.

. Sukkot evening service, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the New Year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and-or attend synagogue services on this day.

The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement.” It is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year. It is well known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.

The concluding service of Yom Kippur, known as Ne’ilah, is one unique to the day. It usually runs about an hour. The ark – a cabinet where the scrolls of the Torah are kept – is kept open throughout this service, so those attending stand throughout the service. The service is sometimes referred to as the closing of the gates; think of it as the “last chance” to get in a good word before the holiday ends. The service ends with a very long blast of the shofar.

The Festival of Sukkot begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur. It is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most solemn holidays of the year to one of the most joyous.

Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the 40-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival.

The word Sukkot means “booths,” referring to the temporary dwellings that Jews are commanded to live in during this holiday in memory of the period of wandering. Sukkot lasts for seven days. In honor of the holiday’s historical significance, Jews are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters, as their ancestors did in the wilderness. The temporary shelter is referred to as a sukkah.

For information, call Beth El at 945-4578.

Congregation Beth El is an open, welcoming and inclusive Reform congregation at 183 French St. in Bangor.