Dear Friends,
There is a beautiful teaching attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the chassidic movement, that every person is exactly where they need to be, and every moment carries within it the opportunity to begin again.
That is the gift of Rosh Hashanah.
As we enter a new year, each of us is given the chance to take one more step; to learn something new, deepen our understanding of our faith, strengthen our connection to our community, and discover new meaning in Jewish life.
At Congregation Machzikei Hadas, we are grateful to be able to offer more opportunities than ever before for learning, connection, and engagement. Whether through Torah study, meaningful prayer, community programs, or simply getting to know one another better, I hope everyone will find a place to grow this year.
Shifra and I feel incredibly privileged to serve as the rabbinic family of this remarkable community. Thank you to every member, volunteer, staff member, and supporter who, through countless acts of kindness, generosity, and dedication, makes our synagogue the warm, vibrant, and welcoming place that it is. Together, we continue to build a community that enriches all of our lives.
May the year ahead be filled with health, happiness, peace, and blessing. May it be a year of growth, connection, and many meaningful new beginnings.
Shanah Tovah,
Rabbi and Shifra Scher
Early Bird Service (7:00-9:00 AM, Main Sanctuary)
This full prayer service will be offered on both days of Rosh HaShanah. It will begin early in the morning and conclude before the start of the Essentials service.
Essentials (Main) Service (9:15 AM – 1:00 PM Main Sanctuary)
The Essentials service is our full Prayer Service, led in a style that is both deeply meaningful and focused.
Our Essentials services will feature our Tefillah Collective and People’s Choir, bringing extra energy, spirit, and ruach to our High Holy Day experience.
Greatest Hits (10:45 AM – 1:00 PM – outdoor tent)
Our Greatest Hits service will take place on both days of Rosh HaShanah. This service is an abridged service with insights and explanations shared throughout.
This service is a great option for adults, teens, and people of all ages!
Interactive Family Service
This service will take place on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Scher go through the highlights of the Rosh HaShanah service with the children of our community and their parents and/or grandparents in an upbeat and interactive way.
Rabbi Bulka Memorial Kiddush (1:00 PM – first day of Rosh Hashanah)
With thanks to David Smith and Creative Kosher Catering, please join our Machzikei family for your first Rosh HaShanah lunch at our annual Rabbi Bulka Kiddush. At the end of services on the first day of Rosh HaShanah, Rabbi Scher will share some reflections in our sanctuary honouring our beloved Rabbi Bulka before heading into our social hall for a beautiful Kiddush lunch in Rabbi Bulka’s honour.
Youth Programming
Kids love coming to Machzikei on Rosh Hashanah! Led by our amazing youth staff, including Morahs Sari and Renana and Rabbi Nissan, kids love the games, the cookie baking, the shul shuk, and so much more!
There is a full menu of youth programing throughout the mornings of both days of Rosh Hashanah, covering a variety of age groups. See the detailed schedule here.
Teen Service! For the first year ever we will have a service for the tweens and teens and by the teens and tweens of our community!
Shofar Blowing Home Visits
If you or a loved one or friend would appreciate a home Shofar-blowing visit on Rosh Hashanah please let Rabbi Scher know at rabbischer@cmhottawa.com
Yom Kippur Night Schedule – Sunday, September 20
Candle Lighting before 6:43 PM
6:30 PM – Kol Nidray and Maariv
Kol Nidray
Kol Nidray will be led by Rabbi Shimon Fogel in the Main Sanctuary.
Early Bird Special
The Early Morning Service, led by Chovav Marantz, will be a no-frills service that covers the entire traditional Yom Kippur Shacharit service (includes Torah reading, does not include Yizkor or Musaf).
The Essentials Service
The Essentials Service, led by Rabbi Moishele Fogel with words from our Rabbi, will include the essentials of the traditional Yom Kippur service through Yizkor (which does not include Musaf) with the classic High Holy Day melodies. In order to keep to our time frame, we will be omitting some of the piyutim, the Jewish liturgical poems that make up a substantial part of the Yom Kippur prayer service. But everything else will be the same.
Interactive Family Service with Rabbi Scher
This service will be just as memorable as the Family Services of the past. We will make our way through the highlights of the Yom Kippur prayer service and introduce each part of the service with questions and thoughts. Led by Rabbi Scher.
Torah Tots Playtime & Story and Circle Time (Ages 0-4)
Our toy filled playroom is open for parents to play with their littles one during most of the Yom Kippur morning services! Then join Morah Sari for songs and stories at Circle times (at 10:30 a.m. &11:15 a.m.) . A healthy snack will be served.
Machzikei Kids’ Club Programming (Ages 5-11)
Join our amazing youth leaders for games, activities and cool challenges!
The Greatest Hits Service
Led by Rabbi David Rotenberg and with inspiring and entertaining words from Rabbi Scher throughout, this service will encapsulate all of the most meaningful and familiar moments of Yom Kippur into just over an hour.
Grand Mussaf Service
As we all finish our chosen services through Yizkor, we will come together for one united Mussaf service. Led by Rabbi Shimon Fogel we will pray Mussaf together with the classic High Holy Day melodies.
Minhah immediately following Mussaf
Duration: 60 minutes
Neilah – followed by Maariv & final Shofar blowing
Neilah will be led by Rabbi Shimon Fogel in the Main Sanctuary.
