Congregation Dor Hadash invites you for
Yamim Noraim - Days of Awe
for the New Year 5772
September 28-30, 2011 – Rosh Hashanah October 7-8, 2011 – Yom Kippur
Tishri 5772
San Diego County’s Reconstructionist Synagogue 4858 Ronson Court, Suite A • San Diego, CA 92111
858-268-3674 • Fax 858-268-3633 http://dorhadash.org
Rabbi Yael Ridberg President Steven Florman
Ninety Four Rosh Chodesh Elul: A Modern Psalm
By Debbie Perlman, z"l
Fighting the languor of sultry days, We begin the turning, back to You;
Moving against the heat of our hearts, Against the anger inside, we turn.
Call us to begin the examination, Healing God; Call for us to remove the garment of our deceit,
The fears that bind us away from You. Chafing at our tender miseries.
In the month of Elul, we uncover our secrets, Examining them with a truthful heart,
Counting the pulse beats of our life, The selfish pressures we apply and resist. Call us to the consultation of our souls,
For You are a God of healing and mercy; Call us to begin without delay,
That Elul might draw us near to You.
From Flames to Heaven: New Psalms for Healing and Praise
August 2011 Dear Friends, The nature of the yamim nora’im (Days of Awe) is that they open up many possibilities for renewal. We hope each year when we come to services on the High Holy Days, to recognize the blessings and challenges met in the year gone by. We pray for the strength, courage, and wisdom to enter the New Year and face the unknown of what is to come. There are 40 days from the beginning of the month of Elul until Yom Kippur and, according to Pirke de Rabi Eliezer, they represent the 40 days that Moses took to return to the people with the second set of tablets. The first set of tablets represents that which has been broken – promises, hopes, dreams, and covenants. The 40 days can be understood as a metaphor of longing, a deep desire to return to things as they were before they were broken. When we come together on Rosh Hashanah, we are very aware of our humanity – our triumphs and our failures – and we are more sensitive to the random nature of the universe, which sometimes brings tragedy and sorrow. At the close of Yom Kippur, we begin the New Year grateful for the opportunity to begin anew, to strengthen relationships, to start new projects, and to repair that which has been broken. This time is an opportunity to really focus on the complicated and often confusing world in which we live, where suffering, hatred and violence are so commonplace, and set new goals to work for justice and peace. The month of Elul is a time to work from the shattered parts of ourselves to wholeness. This period is understood by the Hasidic masters as an et ratzon – a time of willingness – that ends with celebration at Rosh Hashanah and transformation or rebirth at Yom Kippur. I love this notion of a time of willingness, for it opens up the possibility that each of us, if we are willing, can seek each other out, have the hard conversations we need to have with family, friends, and community members, and strive to change our lives for the good in the coming year. We must continue to renew our quest for meaning, wholeness, and holiness in order to confront what weighs us down, makes us cynical, and separates us from one another. When we do this on an individual level, in our Dor Hadash community, in the Jewish community and the world at large, we are better able to face whatever lies ahead. As the New Year begins may we open ourselves to the potential for growth and development at Dor Hadash, and may 5772 be a year of sweetness, health, peace, and transformation for all of us. Shanah Tovah Tikatevu! May our journey towards the New Year be inspired! Rabbi Yael Ridberg
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August 2011 Dear Congregation Members, I look forward again this year to observing the High Holy Days with both long-time and new members of Congregation Dor Hadash. We have enjoyed the past year studying, observing holidays and taking part in life cycle events and celebrations with Rabbi Yael Ridberg. (I want to say our new rabbi, but she has now been with us for over a year.) Through many B’nai Mitzvah, memorial services and holidays, we have experienced her unique and compelling leadership on the bima and in the classroom. She, in turn, has learned about our traditions and has met most of the individuals who make up our unique community. I feel the renewal we started a year and a half ago that included the reducing of our space and the hiring of Rabbi Yael Ridberg has not only changed our lives, but has also improved our lives as individuals and our life as a community, and in doing so I hope we have improved the world. Together we have found that change has been good for us. In July I began my third term as President. Over my final nine months I will work with the staff and our members to bring about more positive changes to our community. During August and over the next few months the Rabbi and I will be asking every member to attend one of a series of small intimate meetings where we will be asking the questions: What is next for Dor Hadash? What would you like to see happen and/or change at Dor Hadash? I hope every one will take the opportunity to participate in at least one of the focus group meetings with Rabbi Yael and me and look forward to meeting with every member. I continue to enjoy being involved with this community and it is my hope in the coming year that additional members will join me by becoming more involved with the leadership and work of Dor Hadash. It has been very rewarding to be a member and part of the leadership of this Jewish community. Please join me in thanking Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Shir Hadash Ensemble, the members of the Ritual Committee, the High Holy Days Committee, and others who volunteer their time and energy at this special time of year. On behalf of myself and members of the Board -- L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem -- may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year. Steve Florman, President
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Important Information L’Shanah Tovah! Celebrate the Jewish New Year and observe the Day of Atonement as we gather as a community with the desire to create an environment where our tradition will speak to us in a significant way. Rabbi Yael Ridberg and members of the congregation will lead services.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be held at the Al Bahr Shrine Auditorium, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road (behind the Hampton Inn). There is plenty of on-site parking. For the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we will gather at Congregation Dor Hadash, 4858 Ronson Court, Suite A, for breakfast and text study. Selihot The Shabbat prior to Rosh Hashanah, Selihot is the opening night for coming together, for beginning the transition into a period of reflecting upon our actions and even confessing our mistakes, of using the resources of an ancient service of transformation and forgiveness, one that reminds us of the mysteries of life and death, and of the renewal that is possible. Please join Rabbi Ridberg Saturday evening, September 24 at 7:00 pm. We will begin the evening with coffee and dessert, followed by a screening and discussion of the film Encounter Point, a documentary made in 2006. It is a poignant look at the very real struggle around forgiveness. Following the discussion will be a brief Selihot service. Please bring a baked good, fruit, cheese and crackers, etc. to share. Rosh Hashanah The Erev Rosh Hashanah service begins Wednesday evening, September 28, 7:00 p.m. The first day Rosh Hashanah service begins Thursday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. at the Al Bahr Shrine Auditorium. This year on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we will meet at Dor Hadash at 9:30 a.m. and share a potluck breakfast (see page 2) followed by a text study of the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. Tashlih On Thursday, September 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Mission Bay Park we will join with Ohr Shalom Synagogue to celebrate Tashlih. Bring your own breadcrumbs. Details will be included in the weekly shmeer and a flyer will be in our lobby and at Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur Kol Nidre services begin Friday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. Yom Kippur services are Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. and Mincha at 4:45 pm. Services will be at the Al Bahr Shrine Auditorium. Oneg following Erev Rosh Hashanah service An oneg will follow the Erev Rosh Hashanah service Wednesday evening, September 28. Take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself with friends you maybe haven’t seen in awhile. Please bring something delicious to eat to share at the oneg. Cold beverages will be provided. See page 6.
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Important Information Potluck Breakfast – Second Day Rosh Hashanah Prior to our text study of the Akedah (the binding of Isaac) on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, please join us for a potluck breakfast. Bagels, shmeer, coffee and juice will be provided; you bring the rest. See page 6. Community Break-the-Fast Our break-the-fast will be held immediately following Neilah services Saturday evening, October 8. There is no charge for break-the-fast, but RSVP so we can plan appropriately. See page 6. Sukkot Join us under the sukkah at Dor Hadash as we rejoice in the harvest, count our blessings, and consider the nature of shelter. Please also join us Friday evening, October 14 for our oneg in the sukkah and for our Sukkot festival following Gesher School at 12:30, Sunday, October 16. Simhat Torah We complete our annual reading of the entire Torah and roll it back to the beginning and into the hands of our congregation when we celebrate Simhat Torah on Thursday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Dor Hadash. Refreshments will be provided. Children’s Services/Programming and Childcare We want our children to have a meaningful High Holy Days experience. At 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 29, Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Saturday, October 8, Yom Kippur morning, Rabbi Yael Ridberg will meet with our young children and their families for story time. From10:00-11:00 a.m. on Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 29) and Yom Kippur (Oct. 8) our Tapuhim U’dvash program (Apples and Honey) will be led by our Education Director, Betsy Schneider. It will include a service, music, arts and crafts, and a meaningful discussion around the themes of the High Holy Days. Childcare will be available through the end of services. Teens We expect our younger members, ages 12-17, to attend services and behave respectfully. Please discuss appropriate behavior with your children in advance, and take responsibility if any of our young people become disruptive. Teens may not “hang out” in the childcare room.
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Important Information Memorial Booklet At Dor Hadash, it is a Yom Kippur tradition to read the names of deceased loved ones at the Yizkor service, and to offer a charitable contribution in their names. The names will be read from a printed Memorial Booklet that will be distributed on the afternoon of Yom Kippur. We suggest a donation of $18 (symbolic for chai, which means life) per name in memory of your loved ones. See page 7.
Tikkun Olam Hand Up Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service
This year we again ask that you donate non-perishable food items for the Hand Up Food Pantry at JFS. We have a collection container in the lobby at Dor Hadash for your donations. You may also bring your items with you when you come to the Shrine Center for services. Look for containers in the lobby. Needed are canned fruit, vegetables, canned chicken, salmon, cereal, soup, pasta, and
other nutritious non-perishable items. We ask for your continued generosity in helping our San Diego neighbors who are hungry.
For more information, please contact Ros Goldstein at 858-452-5667 or [email protected]. Learn more about the Food Pantry at http://www.jfssd.org
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
The Corners of Our Fields is a joint effort of the Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist movements and Hillel International to collect nonperishable food for local charities and funds for MAZON, which provides grants to nonprofit
organizations confronting hunger throughout the world.
As you look inward during these High Holy Days, MAZON asks that you reach outward to those in need. Please give to MAZON what you would have spent to feed yourself and your family on Yom Kippur. Funds raised will support MAZON’s grants to programs providing food, help and hope to hungry people in our own country, in Israel and around the world, regardless of religious affiliation. Dor Hadash will donate 3% of the cost of the break-the-fast.
Envelopes will be available at the synagogue and at High Holy Days Service, or donate online:
http://www.mazon.org
And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I the Eternal am your God.
- Leviticus 23:22
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Important Information Kever Avot v’Imahot The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is considered a particularly propitious time to visit the graves of loved ones and remember the many ways in which they touched one’s life. The San Diego Rabbinical Association (SDRA) will hold Kever Avot v’Imahot Memorial Services on Sunday, October 1. The services will be held at all Jewish cemeteries and mausoleums. Following the service, rabbis and cantors will be available to visit the individual graves of loved ones and offer personal prayers. The schedule will be available at Rosh Hashanah if one is provided by SDRA. Otherwise, it is recommended you check with the cemeteries. Reservations for the High Holy Days While it is necessary for us to charge non-members, we want to accommodate everyone who wishes to observe the High Holy Days with us. We never exclude anyone from participation due to financial constraints. Please contact the office 858-268-3674 or [email protected].
Members: If you have met your obligation for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2011-2012 a nametag will be created for you automatically to serve as your “ticket.”
Tishri Membership for Non-members: Non-members who wish to be with us for the High Holy Days are invited to become Tishri members (page 5). This special membership is available for the Hebrew month of Tishri, beginning Wednesday evening, September 8.
Tishri Membership includes:
• Reservations to all High Holy Days Services • Sukkot Celebration • Simhat Torah Celebration • Torah Study • Shabbat services • Two visits to the Gesher Religious School • A visit with a havurah • Availability of Rabbi for pastoral support
Should you decide to join Dor Hadash prior to December 1, your payment of your Tishri Membership will be applied to your dues.
Guests: Members (including Tishri members) who wish to bring a guest may do so by making arrangements in advance. Guests would include non-immediate family such as adult children, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and the like.
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Important Information Forms and Payment Return all forms by September 19 by mail to 4858 Ronson Court, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111 with your check payable to Congregation Dor Hadash; by fax 858-268-3633 with your credit card information; or email ([email protected]) or call 858-268-3674 if no payment is involved. Nametags One nametag per person, age 13 and older, will be printed for those attending. Keep your nametag and bring it with you each time you come to a service OR put it back in the lobby as you leave. At the last service you attend, please drop it off in the container provided. Volunteers Needed Don’t forget to volunteer to help with schlepping, set up, clean up, ushering, greeting, etc. Contact Shari Ciancio at [email protected] to volunteer.
Some thoughts as we approach the High Holy Days… In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a sacred assembly, a cessation from work, a day of commemoration proclaimed by the sound of the shofar. May it be a day of renewal and rebirth, a day of remembrance and affirmation, a day of looking inward and stepping forward.
- Leviticus 16:34
Just as the hand, held before the eye can hide the tallest mountain, so the routine of everyday life can keep us from seeing the vast radiance and secret wonders that fill the world.
- Hasidic Proverb, 18th Century
With the New Year, we have a chance for newness within our hearts, a newness that can change the course of our lives. But change is often frightening, and sometimes we are not sure that we are indeed ready for it. “What will this new heart be like?” we wonder. “How will this purified heart change the persons we are?” Will the very structure of our lives change as our spirits are renewed? So much uncertainty comes with change. As we stand at the threshold of a New Year, we pray for the valor to face uncertainty, the courage to truly change what needs to be changed, and the faith to welcome the new spirit that is within us.
- Lelia Gal Berner
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Forms Please return your completed forms with your check payable to Congregation Dor Hadash or provide credit card information.
Member/Tishri Member Contact Information: Name __________________________________________________ Phone___________________ Email ____________________
Tishri Membership I (we) would love to join Dor Hadash for the month of Tishri. ____ Adults $200 (18 and under no charge) $_______________ ____ Seniors (65+) $54 $_______________ ____ Students (19-23) $54 $_______________ ____ Active Military (no charge) Name Email ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________
Guests of Members/Tishri Members Members (including Tishri members) who wish to bring a guest may do so by making arrangements in advance. Guests would include non-immediate family such as adult children, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and the like. _____ Adults $100 each (18 and under no charge) $ _______________ _____ $54 seniors [65+] & students [19-23] $ _______________ _______________________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________ Name Address Email or phone _______________________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________ Name Address Email or phone Oneg following Erev Rosh Hashanah Services I/We will stay for the oneg and will bring _______________________ to share. (# _____ attending)
Break-the-Fast following Yom Kippur I/We would love to stay and break-the-fast with the Dor Hadash Community. There will be ______ of us (including children over 5).
Potluck breakfast second day Rosh Hashanah at Dor Hadash (bagels, shmeer, coffee & juice provided) I/We plan to be there Friday morning, September 30 and will bring something delicious to share for breakfast. (# ____ attending) There is no charge, but please let us know if you will be there so we may plan accordingly.
Credit Card Information: Name on Card ____________________________ Zip Code __________ Expiration Date _______________ Security Code _______
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Forms
Memorial Booklet will be distributed and read at Yizkor Service. Suggested donation of $18, symbolic of chai (life) per name. Donor(s) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Relationship ________________________________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________________ ________________________________________
Childcare Prepaid childcare is available for 3-11 year olds during all services if there is a minimum of 5 prepaid reservations per service.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. _____ children @ $8 ea. $___________
First Day Rosh Hashanah Thursday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. _____ children @ $8 ea. $___________
Second Day Rosh Hashanah (at Dor Hadash) Friday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. _____ children @ $8 ea. $___________
Kol Nidre Friday, October 7, 7:00 p.m. _____ children @ $8 ea. $___________
Yom Kippur Day Saturday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. _____ children @ $8 ea $___________
Yom Kippur Afternoon (4:45 p.m.) Saturday, October 8 _____ children @ $8 ea. $___________
Parent(s)/Guardian _________________________________________ Phone _______________ Email ______________________ Name(s), age(s), special needs or food allergies of child(ren) _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Credit Card Information: Name on Card _____________________________ Zip Code __________ Expiration Date _______________ Security Code ______
Please return your completed forms with your check payable to Congregation Dor Hadash or provide credit card information.
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Congregation Dor Hadash 2011-12 / 5772 Mitzvah Pledge
Please mark the appropriate boxes (please consider one you’ve never selected before) and return this form to Dor Hadash. This year I pledge to: ❐ attend a synagogue celebration of at least one Jewish holiday (i.e., Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, etc.)
❐ attend an adult education class
❐ attend one Friday night or Shabbat morning service a month
❐ attend Torah study at least once this year
❐ bring a guest to Dor Hadash
❐ help coordinate a synagogue celebration of at least one Jewish holiday
❐ I have a great idea I want to try
❐ I’d like to learn more about ensuring Dor Hadash’s legacy through the Endowment Fund
❐ jo in a havurah
❐ jo in the madrihim (teen group)
❐ lead or join in leading a Shabbat service
❐ partic ipate in a Dor Hadash Tikkun Olam activity (feeding the homeless, planting, visiting the sick, etc.)
❐ s ing with the Shir Hadash Music Ensemble
❐ sponsor an oneg (please contact me to pick a date)
❐ sponsor an oneg in honor of ______________________________ during the month of ______________ or in memory of _____________________________ during the month of ______________. (Please contact me to confirm.)
❐ volunteer in the office
❐ welcome a member family to a Shabbat dinner in my home
❐ work on a committee(s) this year (please circle):
Adult Education Advertising/PR Bikkur Holim Bylaws Finance Child Education Fundraising Havurot House Library Membership Music Oneg Programming Ritual Tikkun olam Volunteers
“The reward for the mitzvah is the mitzvah itself.” - Talmud
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Name:
High Holy Days Schedule of Services Selihot at Dor Hadash Saturday, September 24 7:00 p.m. Refreshments, screening of film Encounter Point and discussion, brief Selihot service Erev Rosh Hashanah at Al Bahr Shrine Center Wednesday, September 28 7:00 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Oneg following First Day Rosh Hashanah at Al Bahr Shrine Center Thursday, September 29 9:00 a.m. Children’s story time with Rabbi Ridberg 10:00 a.m. Morning Service 10:00 a.m. Children’s Programming Tapuhim U’dvash (Apples & Honey) with Betsy Schneider 5:00 p.m. Tashlih at Mission Bay Park Second Day Rosh Hashanah at Dor Hadash Friday, September 30 9:30 a.m. Potluck breakfast followed by text study of the Akedah Kever Avot v’Imahot - memorial services at local cemeteries Sunday, October 1 10:00 a.m. Community Memorial Services conducted by rabbis of the San Diego Rabbinical Association Kol Nidre at Al Bahr Shrine Center Friday, October 7 7:00 p.m. Kol Nidre Service Yom Kippur at Al Bahr Shrine Center Saturday, October 8 9:00 a.m. Children’s story time with Rabbi Ridberg 10:00 a.m. Morning Service 2:00 p.m. Study Session 4:45 p.m. Afternoon Service approximate 5:30 p.m. Yizkor & Martyrology Service approximate 6:15 p.m. Neilah (concluding) Service approximate 7:15 p.m. Community Break-the-Fast (be sure to RSVP) Sukkot at Dor Hadash Friday, October 14 7:30 p.m. Oneg in the Sukkah following services Sunday, October 16 12:30 p.m. Gesher School Sukkot Festival Simhat Torah at Dor Hadash Thursday, October 20 7:00 p.m. Special celebration
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Congregation Dor Hadash
4858 Ronson Court Suite A
San Diego, CA 92111
L'Shana Tova Tikatevu
May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year
