Chabad Jewish Center of Elgin offers free services for Jewish High Holidays
With just a few weeks before the onset of the Jewish New Year, there are still many Jews who have no plans to attend synagogue services this High Holiday season.
With this in mind, Chabad Jewish Center of Elgin, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, is offering their friendly and welcoming services for free for the local Jewish community.
While many may not be affiliated with a synagogue, others may find the cost unaffordable, particularly in light of today's flailing economy. For a family of five, services can run up to a thousand dollars or more. Many of these would-be worshippers are feeling the pangs associated with being left out of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar.
By providing free Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services in a warm and inclusive setting, Chabad Jewish Center hopes to accommodate those who may otherwise not be celebrating the holiday.
Chabad's "user-friendly" services make it enjoyable and meaningful for both the beginner and the advanced. Song, commentary and the use of English-Hebrew prayerbooks enable those of all levels to become active participants in the services.
"According to Jewish tradition, on the Jewish New Year, the doors of Heaven are open. G-d accepts prayers from everyone," said Rabbi Mendel Shemtov of the Chabad Jewish Center, which is hosting free services in Elgin. "The least we can do is open our doors, as well, to the entire community."
Shemtov continued, "The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism is accessible to all Jews. During the Jewish High Holidays, accessibility can translate into different factors for different people, such as a nonjudgmental atmosphere, affordability of the services, or the ability for a beginner to follow along. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and encourage each and every Jew to actively participate in these most holy and introspective days."
This year's services brings added significance as Jewish communities worldwide celebrate the year of Hakhel, a time to promote Jewish unity and learning. Throughout the year, Jewish synagogues and organizations will host communal gatherings for men, women and children dedicated to encouraging the observance and study of Torah.
Rosh Hashana begins this year at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 13 and extends until nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Yom Kippur begins this year after sundown on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and extends until nightfall on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
For more information about Chabad Jewish Center's services or to reserve a space, visit www.ElginChabad.com or call (847) 440-4486.
An evening service, followed by a Rosh Hashana Community Dinner, will be 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13; call (847) 440-4486 to RSVP.
On Monday, Sept. 14, the morning service will be at 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush and Tashlich, and evening service at 7:45 p.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, the morning service will be at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Kol Nidrei will be at 6:45 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, the morning service will be at 10 a.m., with closing services at 5:15 p.m. followed by "break the fast."
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, is observed this year on the eve of Sept. 13 through Sept. 15. Meaning "head of the year," the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the "Days of Awe," a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday.
Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - is considered the holiest day of on the Jewish calendar. Beginning this year on the evening of Sept. 23 until after nightfall on Sept. 23, it marks the culmination of the "10 Days of Awe," a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, G-d decides each person's fate on this day, so Jews mark the day by making amends and asking forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed by fasting and prayers.
For more on the High Holidays, visit www.ElginChabad.com/HighHolidays.
Chabad Jewish Center of Elgin offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, call (847) 440-4486, email info@elginchabad.com or visit www.ElginChabad.com.