Avinu Malkenu. Our Father, Our King. Our Mother, Our Queen. The composition, first recorded in the Talmud and most associated with the Days of Awe, was described by former Chief Rabbi of the British Empire Joseph H. Hertz as “the oldest and most moving of all the litanies of the Jewish Year”. As the Hebrew Year 5782 comes to a close, Avinu Malkenu possesses a sorrowful added significance due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, may the memory of the righteous be for a blessing.
As witnessed by outpourings of grief from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the London Jewish Chronicle, Israeli political leaders and Jewish communal organizations throughout the world, Her Majesty the Queen was held in high esteem by Klal Yisrael. Her rule coincided with a flourishing of relations between Israel and the UK, not to be taken for granted after the tempestuous Mandate Period.
Our High Holiday liturgy is replete with references to royalty. The Talmud teaches that endeavoring to see a ruling monarch is a mitzvah since the awe they inspire on humanity gives us more of an appreciation for the respect due the King of Kings, Melech Malchai Hamlachim. Avinu Malkenu demonstrates the stoic and compassionate nature found in the ruler-subject relationship as well as parent-child, a role Her Majesty the Queen perfectly embodied.
In the words of JCJ President David Semaya “For 70 years [Her Majesty the Queen] exemplified duty, dignity and grace in her service to the nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.”
Services
Family Shabbat
Friday, September 9th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner (Reservation Deadline Passed): 7:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, September 16th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with Reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Ki Tavo
Pizza and Spiked Seltzer Kiddush sponsored by the Andreu family in commemoration of the yahrzeits of Carlos’s mother, Elizabeth Hutton-Scheck, and father, Carlos Andreu-Aragon
Saturday, September 17th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 25th
Services: 6:30pm
Dinner with Reservation: 7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Monday, September 26th
Morning Service: 9:00am
Lunch with Reservation https://jccjapan.jp/high-holidays-2022/: 1:00pm
Tashlich on at Arisugawa Park (across from National Azabu Supermarket): Meet at the Bridge over the Pond by the front entrance: 16:00
Evening Service: 18:30
Dinner with Reservation: 7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Tuesday, September 27th
Morning Service: 9:00am
Lunch with Reservation: 1:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, September 30th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with Reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Shuva/Parshat Vayishlach
Kiddush Open for Sponsorship
Saturday, October 1st
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Erev Yom Kippur
Tuesday, October 4th
Before-the-Fast dinner with reservation: 3:45pm
Kol Nidre: 5:00pm
Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 5th
Services: 9:00am
Yizkor: 11:30am
Mincha and Neilah: 4:00pm
Break-the-fast cakes, soft drinks, coffee and tea (all invited): 6:15pm
Break-the-fast meal with reservation: 6:30pm
Events
Did you even bother reading the above?? There is way too much going on already and Sukkot isn’t even listed yet! That being said, JCJ Night at the Ballpark was incredible. Thank you to all who organized and showed up. The prayer for 500-yen beer was answered, Baruch Hashem. The prayer for the win got lost at Meiji Jingu and did not reach the heavens in time for when the rally caps came out.
Announcements
Kol haKavod to Isaac Yeskel on the completion of his Bar Mitzvah project. Isaac facilitated a donation of soccer equipment and medical supplies in our community’s honor. The soccer equipment is destined for the children of Rivne Oblast, Ukraine, once home to a thriving Jewish population and medical supplies already arrived to a frontline unit. May you merit to see Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards when they play the Golden State Warriors at Saitama Super Arena next month.
While the return to weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services is off to a robust start, as Friday September 23rd coincides with the Japanese holiday 秋分の日/Autumnal Equinox Day, our building will be closed and services postponed. We look forward to seeing everyone just two nights later on Erev Rosh Hashana September 25th at 6:30pm.
Yiddish Club with Jack Halpern: Meetings have started monthly in-person at the JCJ. Please contact Jack at jack@cjki.org if you are interested to join. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Much more than just language, the club enjoys exploring Yiddish culture as well.
Shabbat Parshat Ki Teitzei
Candle Lighting: 5:39pm
Havdala: 6:35pm