Fayetteville’s Congregation B’nai Israel will formally launch its High Holy Days observances Sunday, Sept. 13, and Monday, Sept. 14, with liturgies signifying the beginning of the new year, 5776, in the Jewish calendar.
The opening service, known as Erev Rosh Hashanah, will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday, in accordance with the Jewish tradition that holy days begin after sundown on one day and end after sundown the following day.
Rosh Hashanah services will continue with another worship service beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by a luncheon at noon.
The Rosh Hashanah observance will close after congregants gather at Starr’s Mill at 3 p.m. for the traditional Tashlich (Hebrew for “casting off”) ritual during which bread or other food is tossed onto a body of water to symbolize the casting away of sins.
Starr’s Mill is located near the intersection of Ga. Highways 85 and 74, not far from Peachtree City.
The High Holy Days will wind up Sept. 22-23 with the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the most contemplative day in the Jewish calendar.
The opening service, known as Kol Nidre, will begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the synagogue. A full day of activities will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, with another worship and prayer service.
Because Yom Kippur is traditionally a time for fasting and introspection, no luncheon will be served.
After the 10 a.m. service ends, there will be a break, followed by a healing service and individual and group learning sessions starting at 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the congregation will hold the closing Yizkor service, a commemoration of those who have died.
The shofar, or ram’s horn, is sounded to mark the end of the Yom Kippur fast and also is sounded at designated times during the Rosh Hashanah services.
Rabbi Louis Feldstein will lead all services. Traditional music will be provided by Susan Burden, cantorial soloist and pastoral lay leader.
B’nai Israel is located at 1633 Ga. Highway 54, east of downtown Fayetteville, near the intersection of Corinth Road.
Persons planning to attend services are asked to RSVP by contacting the synagogue office at 678-817-7162 or by consulting the website at www.bnai-israel.net.
The synagogue has members in Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, and Spalding counties, and various other locales in the south Atlanta Metro area.
Kenan Rollins, left, of McDonough and Olivia Davison of Peachtree City, seven-year-old second graders at Congregation B’nai Israel Religious School, share the delight of apples and honey for the Jewish New Year. Photo/Special.
