Early Bird Service (7:00-9:00 AM, Main Sanctuary)
This full prayer service will be offered on both days of Rosh HaShanah, led by Chazzan Chovav Marantz. It will begin early in the morning and conclude before the start of the Essentials service.
Essentials (Main) Service (9:15 AM – 12:30 PM Main Sanctuary)
The Essentials service, led by Rabbi Shimon Fogel for Musaf and Rabbi Moishele Fogel for Shacharit, is our full Prayer Service, led in a style that is both deeply meaningful and focused. As well, Rabbi Scher will share a Rosh HaShanah sermon at the Essentials services on both days of Rosh Hashanah.
Our Essentials services will include both our acclaimed youth choir and our new adult ensemble for one historic part of the prayer service on the first day of Rosh HaShanah. This ensemble has rehearsed one piece from U’Netaneh Tokef that was arranged by Cantor Joseph Rabin in Ottawa close to 100 years ago.
Greatest Hits (10:30 AM – 12:30 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 will be led by Rabbi David Rotenberg, and is a great option for adults, teens, and people of all ages! Rabbi Scher will share a Rosh Hashanah sermon at the Greatest Hits services on both days of Rosh Hashanah.
Interactive Family Service (11:00-11:30 AM, Lower Social Hall, first day only)
This service will take place on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. We will 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 (12:45 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 (12:30-12:45 PM), 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 Morah Sari, Renana Asulin, and Nisan Asulin, 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.
High school students are encouraged to participate in the Greatest Hits Service, which will have explanations and anecdotes for participants from ages 14 to 120.
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 – Wednesday October 1
Candle Lighting before 6:22 PM
6:20 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! Collect tickets (shul shekels) that can be redeemed at the Machzikei Shul Shuk at the end of Yom Kippur morning services. See the detailed schedule here for more information.
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.
