Saturday, September 21 | 8:15 pm at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El
A meaningful evening of study, conversation and worship serves as a prelude to the High Holy Day season.

​Our clergy and the clergy of Adath Israel, Beth Hillel-Beth El, Beth David Reform Congregation, and Har Zion Temple will lead Havdallah, followed by a performance of “Oh God!” from Theater Ariel. Written by Anat Gov, this play will challenge you to examine issues of faith. Have a nosh and participate in your choice of concurrent Selichot worship: participatory traditional davening, Reform Mishkan HaLev Service with the Community Choir, or Contemplative Service: Chanting & Meditation. 

What is Selichot?
Selichot are prayers of forgiveness.  Selichot are prayers that help us prepare for the High Holy Days.  The themes and opportunities of these days are both joyful and serious:  new beginnings, repentance, return, change, examining where we are in life; asking forgiveness of those we have hurt and of ourselves.  Our tradition wisely understands that one cannot just “jump into” these opportunities without preparation, and without the company of others who are on a similar journey.  That is why we begin before Rosh Hashanah with prayers, meditations and spiritual exercise called Selichot.  In some Jewish traditions, Selichot prayers and meditations are said for the full month before Rosh Hashanah; in others, a few days before Rosh Hashanah.  Either way, the intent is the same:  it takes time and preparation to truly effect personal and communal growth, change and transformation.  That’s why we have Selichot, and that’s also why we participate as a community in Selichot:  it is a way to emphasize that before we return to our own community, or our own work of transformation, we join together as community, linking hearts and intentions with one another, strengthening one another.