As we prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year 5784 we know our congregation, community and the world must continually adjust to new circumstances. Whatever those circumstances are, hineni, we are here for you and with you. May these words of inspiration guide you for a shana tova u’metukah, a happy and sweet New Year.
Hineni means to be present for ourselves, caring and loving ourselves, which could mean finding time to pray, meditate, workout and eat healthy.
Hineni means to be present for our loved ones, our children, spouses, parents, siblings, friends, which could mean spending time with them, turning off our phones during dinner, and making a priority to be with our loved ones.
Hineni means to be present for our communities, for this community and for all the communities to which we belong, for the elderly, for people who need a visit, it means making a phone call and showing up in moments of sadness and in moments of simcha.
Hineni means to stand for what is right and raise our voices.
Hineni means to name the injustice we see around us and see how we must change so we can help change happen.
Hineni means to kiss the bumps and wounds of our children and believe that the love we put in can heal the pain.
Hineni means to truly believe that every one of us can help heal the world. That if we bring love to the pain we encounter by being truly present, we might perhaps be doing the great act of tshuva that brings healing to the world.
As Fall approaches, Jews throughout the world prepare for the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, a unique ten-day period of prayer, self-examination, fasting, and repentance. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, comprise the “High Holy Days” of the Jewish calendar, and are the festivals that begin the new Jewish year.
Please see below for the many services and programs MLRT offers during Elul and the High Holy Days.
Selichot
This late-night learning and prayer experience brings together the Jewish community from across the Main Line for a meaningful prelude to the High Holy Days virtually or in person at one of the host congregations.
What is Selichot? Selichot are prayers of forgiveness that help us prepare for the High Holy Days. It takes time to truly affect personal and communal growth, change and transformation.
Traditional Services
Our Traditional Service will focus on the prayers and melodies handed down generations ago and will be led by Rabbi Newburge, Cantor Rudnick, Rabbi Kleinman, Andy Heller, and the choir. Only Traditional Service ticket holders will be admitted.
Contemporary Services
Welcome the High Holy Days with innovative and highly participatory visual prayer and music led by Ross M. Levy and the Levites, Rabbi Newburge, Cantor Rudnick, and Rabbi Kleinman in the Morganroth Sanctuary and Hausen Auditorium. Only Contemporary Service ticket holders will be admitted.
Family Services & Activities
Family Services will be led by Rabbi Kleinman and Chana Rothman and are designed for our youngest children (under 7) and their families to worship together. Parents and children can then participate in activities with our ECE and Religious School teachers. *Adults must be present at all times*
Tashlich
Bring your children, your friends, even your dogs, to this family-friendly and in-person program at Shortridge Park.
What is Tashlich? The word “Tashlich” means, “You will cast away.” For centuries Jews have gathered on the first day of Rosh Hashanah at bodies of water and recited the Tashlich prayer, shaking bread crumbs into the water to express our desire to be free of our sins.
Study Session
Join Rabbi Geri Newburge and Cantor Faryn Rudnick at MLRT for a multi-access study session.
Kol Nidre
Our Kol Nidre Service sets the tone for the holiest day of our year.
Yizkor
Yizkor, in Hebrew, means “Remember.” We implore God to remember the souls of our relatives and friends who have passed on. During Yizkor, we renew and strengthen the connection between us and our loved ones, bringing honor to their memories.
Ne’ilah
Ne’ilah means “closing the gate.” As the awesome day of Yom Kippur comes to a close, and our future is being sealed, we ask God to accept our repentance and new resolutions, and that we be sealed in the Book of Life, granting us a new year replete with goodness and happiness.
All of the services at MLRT will be multi-access. Please join us in person or via Livestream. In-person attendance is limited to members in good standing and tickets are required. Livestream access will be private and a password will be sent out to all members prior to Erev Rosh Hashanah.