Unlocking the Mahzor: A Look at Key High Holy Day Prayers
Preparing Together for the High Holy Days
Unlocking the Mahzor: A Look at Key High Holy Day Prayers
Free Learning Sessions
Each year, Jews around the world spend the month leading up to the High Holy Days (Elul) preparing themselves for the yamim noraim, the Days of Awe. Now more than ever, we are seeking connections with each other and with our tradition to give us a sense of stability. Now more than ever, we desire opportunities to be together as much as possible--to continue to learn and to support one another, to strengthen current relationships, and to create new friendships.
This year, Temple Beth Shalom is offering at no charge a unique way to learn and to connect in the spirit of Elul and to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. Through Project Zug, we will dive into the High Holy Days prayers in small learning groups formed from Temple Beth Shalom members in a very accessible way. In our new world, we are hoping that these "virtual" meetings provide another quality opportunity to meet our very human need of being together.
Our Temple Beth Shalom clergy will be available at points throughout the class series to offer their perspective and context for our own congregation.
- Opening Live Virtual Lecture With Rabbi Kaunfer
Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Temple Beth Shalom will kick off with a live virtual lecture with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer of Project Zug about how our community can learn from Elul and prepare for the High Holy Days.
- Learning Groups
Times and Dates to be determined as learners enroll
We will then dive into four crucial High Holy Days prayers with your learning group of Temple Beth Shalom members over four weeks.
- Concluding Live Virtual Lecture Before Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Our learning will conclude with another live virtual lecture just two days before Rosh Hashanah.
What will we learn?
We will prepare for the High Holy Days by exploring the textual roots of this special liturgy. We will delve into the biblical and rabbinic sources of key High Holy Days prayers, with an eye toward unlocking meaning and connection to the larger themes of the holidays. Whether you are new to High Holiday liturgy and are looking for a way in or you are looking to deepen your experience with all too familiar prayers, you will come away from these sessions with a more nuanced understanding of our liturgy and new ways of standing to pray.
Learn more with this short video!
How does the structure of this course work?
This course is structured into four downloadable handouts, and each class will last approximately one hour. You do not need to do any preparation—you and your group will go through the source materials together and respond to the questions (and ask your own questions!). There are four short videos that you will watch before each handout to help with framing (we may watch them together at the start of each class).
When will we meet and who will we be learning with?
Each learning group will each consist of 6-9 members from Temple Beth Shalom. We will form the groups soon, which is why we need you to sign up as soon as possible! Each group will be run by a facilitator (a Temple Beth Shalom member). The times and days of the classes will be determined based on congregants' needs and requests (we will do our best!); for example, if we have enough for 3 groups, we might have a mid-morning class on Mondays, a mid-afternoon class on Tuesdays, an evening class on Wednesdays, etc. The more the merrier!
Do I need to know Hebrew?
Absolutely not! Like all Project Zug classes, the content of this class is accessible to all who are interested in learning, for all types of background and education.
What is Project Zug?
Project Zug is a Jewish educational organization that provides structured courses. The content is accessible to all who are interested in learning, for all types of background and education. Temple Beth Shalom is successfully running several Project Zug courses and we plan on introducing more! There is currently no cost to sign up for this Elul course through our temple as a Temple Beth Shalom member.
(You must be logged in to your Temple Beth Shalom member account to sign up).
Note: please DO NOT sign up on Project Zug's website - you need to sign up through Temple Beth Shalom as described above. Also note that is not the same class offered on Facebook by Rebecca (Rivkah) Shieber.