ROSH HASHANAH

Rosh Hashanah, the "Head of the Year" is a happy holiday. People exchange New Year’s cards and New Year’s greetings. Families gather together for meals and open houses after attending temple services.

The synagogue looks especially beautiful for the High Holidays. The Torah is covered in white and the rabbi and cantor also wear white. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to hear the shofar (ram’s horn) on Rosh Hashanah, as it’s loud sound reminds us that God is present and that it is time to wake-up and pay attention to our lives.

On Rosh Hashanah, we dip apples in honey and wish each other a "sweet, new year." We also eat a special round challah with raisins.

Click on this link which features the Seuss-like “Rahameem the Ram” story Rabbi Caruso read at a past year’s  Rosh Hashanah Family Service (when you link to the page, look to the left-hand corner under “contents”). University of Calgary professor named Eliezer Segal is the story’s author. Enjoy.

Worship

SELICHOT - Saturday, September 24,  2011
	7:45 p.m. Movie and Desserts, with a special screening of 18 Voices Sing Kol Nidre, a 40-minute documentary about the impact of this  powerful prayer on different people, followed by a brief discussion led by Cantor Sager and a dessert oneg. Open to all. 10 p.m.  Selichot Service, in this late hour, we join Jews around the world in sharing penitential prayers on the final Saturday evening before the onset of the High Holy Days.  Join us as the soaring and moving music and liturgy move us toward repentance.
EREV ROSH HASHANAH - Wednesday, September 28 Please note when  you join us for the High Holy Day Services, ushers will be checking Admission Cards.  If you have any questions about the cards or spending your High Holy Days with the community at Fairmount Temple, please give us a call at 216-464-1330.
6 pm	Youth Group Service - This service with contemporary music is written and led by CLEFTY (CLEveland Fairmount Temple Youth).
7:45  pm	Congregational Service - features of blend of contemporary and traditional music and prayer designed to inspire, uplift and invite participation.
8  pm	Chevrei Tikva GLBT Service - This service is especially inviting for our Fairmount Temple Chevrei Tikva Chavurah
8:15 pm	Contemporary Service - note earlier start time - The fusion of guitar, piano and other instruments creates a service, sponsored by YPC, which encourages creative prayer in a more intimate setting
ROSH HASHANAH DAY - Thursday, September 29
9 a.m.	Children's Service - note earlier start time - This service is for families with young children (K-2nd grade) includes fun songs, activities and games.
9 am	KIDushat PreSchool Service - a service with stories and songs, is especially inviting for families with preschoolers.
10 am	Congregational Service - features of blend of contemporary and traditional music and prayer designed to inspire, uplift and invite participation.
10 am	Contemporary Service - note earlier start time - The fusion of guitar, piano and other instruments creates a service, sponsored by YPC, which encourages creative prayer in a more intimate setting
10:30 am	Family Service with Junior Choir and Shofar Corps - This service is especially inviting for families with children (3rd-6th grade) and this year will follow a new child-friendly prayerbook.
3:30 pm	Tashlich (Meet at Fairmount Temple parking lot) Following Tashlich, around 4:30, all are invited to a Potluck Dinner sponsored by Chevrei Tikva. RSVPs requested to Cathy Lipton at 216-447-9539.
7:30 pm	NEW - Informal, Outdoor Second Night Service for Young Adults (up to age 40).  This is a new, free opportunity for  young adults to celebrate the New Year together.
NEW	SECOND DAY ROSH HASHANAH SERVICE AT MENORAH PARK - Friday, September 30
10:30 am	For our friends and their families on the Menorah Park Campus who would like to celebrate with a Second Morning  Rosh Hashanah Reform Service. Service will be held at RH Meyers Apartments.
Sunday, October 2
11 a.m.	Kever Avot (Mayfield Cemetery)   For more information about becoming a member of Fairmount Temple and more about these High Holy Day Services, please call Julie Manning at 216-464-1330.

Sensory Experience

Hear the Shofar (12K WAV file)

Activity

New Year Cards
Fold a piece of paper in half, write a special New Year’s greeting, and decorate with felt, foil, buttons, markers, yarn, or with apple prints by dipping an apple paint in a small amount of non-toxic paint and making a print.

Recipe

APPLESAUCE

Wash 12 apples.
Cut then into quarters (do not peel or remove seeds).
Put them into a pyrex pot.
Add a little water.
Cover the pot and cook over low heat.
Watch the action.
Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Add a little water if necessary.

When the apples are judged to be soft enough, put them through a food mill. A good blend of sweet and tart apples should not require any added sweetening. Otherwise, add a little honey or lemon juice to desired taste.

Song

FIVE LITTLE SHOFARS (Count on fingers)

Five little shofars in a row.
The first one said, "I’m hard to blow."
The second one said, "My sound is low."
The third one said, "I’m the best you know."
The fourth one said, "That’s really not so."
The fifth one said, "I’ve got to go."
Five little shofars in a row.
Five little shofars, blow, blow, blow.

From Fun with Jewish Holiday Rhymes by Sylvia Rouss, illustrated by Lisa Steinberg. Copyright © 1992
by UAHC Press. Reprinted with permission of URJ Press.

Links

URJ Jewish Holidays - Rosh Hashanah