More than in most years, the High Holidays have completely snuck up on us. Rosh haShana begins on the evening of Labor Day (US), Monday September 6th. As impossible as this sounds, it also means that for the second time in the last decade Hannukah will coincide with Thanksgiving weekend. I apologize for the America-centric content of the last two sentences, but these colors don’t run…except for when they do? That is as politically timely as the JCC newsletter will ever get under my tenure.
While our summer schedule winds down, our Yamin Noraim/Days of Awe schedule ramps up. The JCC is offering two options of which you can mix and match. The first is online services with all the accoutrements led by our phenomenal chazzan, Yoni Roth. The second is much abbreviated but with all the essentials in-person services in our sanctuary led by community members with a capacity limit of 40 people. In either case, you will hear the same Dvar Torah’s I am preparing for Rosh haShana and Yom Kippur and online you can even feel free to mute.
Beyond the prayer component, we are preparing a seasonal set course menu that is available to-stay or to-go. Meals will be offered the first night of Rosh haShana (9/6), first day of Rosh haShana (9/7), second day of Rosh haShana (9/8) and before-the-fast on Erev Yom Kippur. We are prepping the website now to begin receiving orders. The deadline will be Monday, August 30th at 4pm.
I cannot overstate the importance of reservations for in-person prayer and meals in general. As much as Tali and I enjoyed being up from 2am-4am from Denver last year, we are blessed to celebrate the High Holidays with you in Tokyo. Our Wednesday, September 8th 4:00pm Tashlich ceremony at Arisugawa Park will be open to all. And please, bring the kommunity kinderlach!
Services
Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat will begin on Zoom at 5:30pm through August 27th.
Schedule for Summer Shabbat morning 10am in-person services: 8/28
Next Kiddush available for sponsorship is Shabbat Sukkot 9/25.
Events
In-Person Shabbat Morning Services
Kiddush sponsored by the Andreu Family
Date: Saturday, August 28th
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Sunday School Welcome Back
Date: Sunday, August 29th
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am for non-B’nai Mitzvah Classes
10:00am – 11:30am for B’nai Mitzvah Class
Location: Social Hall
Erev Rosh haShana
Monday, September 6th
Services: 5:45pm – 6:30pm
Dinner: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Rosh haShana Day 1
Tuesday, September 7th
Services: 10am – 12:30pm
Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Rosh haShana Day 1
Wednesday, September 8th
Services: 10am – 12:30pm
Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Tashlich at Arisugawa Park
Wednesday, September 8th
4:00pm – we run out of bread
In-Person Shabbat Shuva Morning Services
Kiddush sponsored by the Nadler Family
Date: Saturday, September 11th
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Erev Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 15th
Pre-fast meal: 4:00pm
Kol Nidre: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Yom Kippur
Thursday, September 16th
Services: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Neilah: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Break-the-fast nosh: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Sukkot information will follow in subsequent weeks
Announcements
The JCC received 100 tickets to the Chiune Sugihara exhibition being held on the 8th floor hall of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. Main Building through Monday, August 23rd. If you would like to pick up tickets, it is not too late! Please reply to this e-mail. Feel free to take extras for friends as well.
おかえりなさい (Okaerinasai) to the Bass and Agmoni Families.
いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) to the Rosenfeld Family.
In the following weeks and months, we will roll out several new features in the newsletter including a message from the board, featured members, a Japanese column and member recipes. If you would like to volunteer for any of the above, please reply to this e-mail.
Parshat Ki Teitzei
Candle Lighting: 6:06pm
Shabbat Ends: 7:03pm