“The opportunity to give is, in and of itself, a gift. ” - Temple Isaiah

Shana Tova!
As we approach the Jewish
New Year, we think about
the dreams we’ve dreamt:
the dreams that have been
realized and the ones that
we still nourish with hope.
We are reflective on the
past and thoughtful about
the future. This year,
consider not only devoting
this sacred season to the
past and future but to
being present. How can we
be more mindful of those
with whom we find ourselves now? How can we find contentment
here? How do we arrest our yearning for something else and instead
savor the gift of this very moment?
In Hebrew there is a word makom which means “place.” This year
we pray that you find beauty, blessing, and the wonder of possibility
in whatever makom you find yourself. May it be a year of rooted-ness
and security, a year where you realize that where you need to be is
right where you are.
Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.
Selichot
Temple Isaiah
The Selichot Service is an opportunity to begin the reflective and
soul-searching process that commences the Days of Awe - our
High Holy Day Season. This year, our Selichot Service features a
new dramatic work by playwright Debbie Pearl. “Imperfect
Strangers” is a one-act play in which two strangers try to reconcile
their past and the wrongdoings of which they were a part.
The play is provocative and at times humorous, but mostly it asks
us to look deeper into our own souls and determine what sins may
ultimately be forgiven.
Friday, September 18, 8:15 p.m.
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Royce Hall - UCLA
Join Rabbis Zoe Klein, Dara Frimmer and Rick Kellner, along with
Cantor Evan Kent and HaSharim, our Temple Isaiah choir, as we
greet the beginning of the Jewish New Year.
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m.
Rosh Hashana Family Service
Royce Hall - UCLA
The Family Service is a highly participatory, energetic, and
thoughtful service led by the Temple Isaiah clergy team.
Through music, prayer, song and storytelling, families will have
a meaningful prayer experience and connect to Rosh Hashanah
themes and liturgy. We encourage families with kids in 3rd-6th
grade to attend as a family! Grandparents are welcome, too! (Just
remember to check off your preference.) Childcare is available
for preschool children (ages 2-7) concurrent with our Rosh
Hashanah Service. Students in grade 7 and above are encouraged
to worship with their parents in the Rosh Hashanah Day Service
at 11:30am.
Saturday, September 19, 11:30 a.m.
Rosh Hashanah Day Service
Royce Hall - UCLA
Our celebration of the creation of the world continues. At
Temple Isaiah, the ancient prayers of the High Holidays
machzor come alive through prayer, song, blessing, Torah
reading and the traditional sounding of the shofar. Our liturgy
is enhanced by the insight and wisdom of our rabbis and the
majestic and participatory music of our cantor and choir. We
rejoice as a community in the New Year and the blessings for
which we are thankful. Childcare is available for preschool
children (ages 2-7) concurrent with our Rosh Hashanah service.
Saturday, September 19, 4:00 p.m.
Rosh Hashanah Afternoon Tashlich Service
Santa Monica Beach
Trade your holiday clothes for t-shirts and shorts and join us on
the beach for Tashlich.
Sunday, September 20, 10:30 a.m.
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah
Temple Isaiah
Join us for a second day of celebration and reflection in our
sanctuary at Temple Isaiah. We will once again immerse
ourselves in the themes of the High Holy Days through dynamic
prayer and creative explorations of rabbinic texts and Torah.
High Holy Days
Page twelve | THE ISAIAN September 2009