High Holy Days
In the season of new beginnings, we invite you to join with your Temple Isaiah neighborhood to pray, study, re-connect, and return! During the High Holy Days, we are encouraged to look inward at our own souls and deeds, and, strengthened by our community, we strive to make the changes that will enable us to become better people in the New Year. We offer a season of prayer, classes, and programs for those of all ages and backgrounds to learn and grow spiritually. We look forward to starting the year with you in the warm, welcoming community that is Temple Isaiah - Your Jewish Neighborhood. L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu. May your New Year be filled with sweet blessings!
Questions? Contact the Temple Isaiah office at (925) 283-8575 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- Passes, Registration, and Know Before You Go Information
Passes and Registration:
Members automatically receive passes with their Temple Isaiah membership, which are required for in-person services and cover children ages 12-26. To receive passes by mail, membership must be renewed by September 25. Guests and nonmember passes can be ordered online.
Additional passes for members and non-members are available for a suggested donation. All gift amounts are gratefully accepted. If you decide to join Temple Isaiah, the High Holy Day pass donation will be applied to membership:
• Non-member Pass: suggested donation of $360/each
• Guest of Temple member Pass: suggested donation of $250/each
• Family of Temple member Pass: suggested donation of $75/each
Reciprocal passes for members of other URJ and USCJ congregations are free of charge.
NONMEMBER/GUEST REGISTRATION HERE
What to expect in person:
• Name Tag Passes are required for ages 13 and up. Have name tag passes on or in hand each time you approach the entrance for services. Nametag Holders will be available at all entrances through High Holy Days. Ushers will check passes for entry and to get you seated quickly with a separate line for those without passes.
• Seating: First come, first seated. Please do not save seats.
• Please refrain from wearing fragrances.
• Limited free parking is available with a parking pass required.
• Allow plenty of time for arrival. Accessible parking and entry located at the Social Hall. Those taking Uber/Lyft/Taxis, please have your passes in hand to show at the bottom of the driveway, as well as at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Overflow parking for Temple Isaiah will be at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center or Oakwood Athletic Club. Please check your parking pass for dates and locations.How to worship online:
All livestreamed services will be accessible on YouTube via an unlisted link. Temple Isaiah members do not need to register, but nonmembers must register to receive the link.- Preparing for High Holy Days
Prepare your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul for the New Year: Special Programs to Prepare for the High Holy Days
Enter Elul with a Greater Understanding of Unetaneh Tokef with Rabbi Perlman
Tuesday, September 3rd, 12 to 1pm, In-person in the Adult Lounge and on ZoomStart Elul off on the right spiritual foot by spending time examining one of the most theologically difficult (and beautiful!) pieces of liturgy for the holy days: Unetanah Tokef. Those who participate will have the opportunity to help write an extended prayer around Unetaneh Tokef that will be used from the bima on the holy days with our community.
WOI Women’s Shabbat with Rabbi Miller
Saturday, September 7 at 10:30 AM in Melissa Jakubowitz’s backyardAs we begin the month of Elul and start our journey towards the High Holy Days, join Women of Isaiah for a small, intimate Shabbat experience where we will celebrate Shabbat outdoors. In addition to singing and time for quiet reflection, we will dive into conversations that connect us as women to the themes of Elul and how we respond to the present moment. A light brunch will follow. Questions, reach out to our main office at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 925-283-8575.
Beginning at the End: When and Why Do the Gates Close? With Rabbi Torop
Wednesday, September 11, 12 to 1pm on ZoomJoin Rabbi Torop for this virtual lunch and learn to study and discuss how the image of the closing gates frames our High Holy Days experience. The final service of Yom Kippur, N’ilah, calls our attention to the closing of the gates, a final opportunity to do repentance. But why do the gates close at all? Are they ever truly locked? Prepare for the High Holy Days by considering the end of our journey and what we want to accomplish in this time when the gates are open wide. Through ancient and modern texts and poetry, we will explore the metaphor of gates in this season and how it alters our approach to cheshbon hanefesh, spiritual accounting. Can’t make it? Don’t worry! The session will be uploaded to our YouTube channel.
Mapping Your Journey with Rabbi Greninger
Tuesday, September 17, 7 to 8:30pm in the Adult LoungeAs we look ahead to the new year, we will consider where we have been, where we currently are, and where we are going by using Jewish texts and a map called the “World of Experience.” Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on your life’s path. [Note: this is the same map we used last year. If you attended this program last year, it will be interesting and meaningful to see where your journeys took you in the past year, and where you want to head in the year to come! In addition, we will use different readings / poems to help frame our journeys.]
Temple Tune Up Day
Sunday, September 22, between 9am and 4pm (check-in at the Sanctuary entrance)
Help us to prepare the Temple Isaiah campus for high holy days. Volunteers are needed to help spread mulch, assemble the food donation bags, pick-up litter, and more. This is a quick and easy mitzvah activity for your havurah, friends and family. All ages are welcome. Please bring your own gloves and meet at the check-in table at the Sanctuary entrance. Sponsored by the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Please sign-up below for as many shifts as you like! Click here to sign-up.
Immersion in the Mikvah
Thursday, September 26
Consider what you’d like to leave behind from the past year and what you want to carry with you into the new year. Immersing in a mikvah is a chance to start the new year with a fresh slate, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We have a reservation for Temple Isaiah at the mikvah at Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland on Thursday, September 26 from 10:30am-2:30pm. Contact Rabbi Greninger to set up a specific time for you to immerse. Questions? Interested, but want more information? Contact Rabbi Greninger at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
S’lichot: Forgiveness and Self-Forgiveness
Saturday September 28
7pm Forgiveness & Self-Forgiveness Program in the Social Hall
8pm Dessert Reception in the Oneg Room
8:30pm S’lichot Service in the Sanctuary & on YouTubeJoin us for an introspective program preceding our S’lichot service.
Kendra Fried, Founder of Neshamah Yoga & Wellness, is a somatic spiritual wellness practitioner who will lead you on a journey inward in preparation for S’lichot and the High Holy Days. Explore spiritual practices that will help you mindfully and meaningfully enter the most holy time of the year. Participants will also learn practices that they can use on their own through the Days of Awe. A reception at 8pm will be followed by a meaning-filled service in our darkened, candle-lit sanctuary at 8:30pm.
Cemetery Visits
Sunday, September 29
10am at Oakmont (Tranquility)
11:15am at Gan Shalom
Join our clergy for a tradition many find particularly meaningful during the holy day season, visiting the graves of our loved ones to bring their memories especially close during the turning of the seasons and the year. We will join together for a short service of remembrance and an opportunity to say Kaddish. May the memories of our loved ones strengthen us. If you are interested in going, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Reverse Tashlich
Sunday, September 29, 2024, 2 to 3:30pmJoin Rabbi Torop, Values in Action, and the Temple Isaiah community to clean up our physical misdeeds as we prepare to clean up our spiritual misdeeds during the High Holy Days. Reverse Tashlich flips the traditional ritual of “tashlich” on its head - instead of casting out our sins (and adding harmful pollutants to the water), we help cleanse and purify the natural world around us. Join us for a moment of spiritual grounding followed by time to collect trash and other debris while connecting with each other as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah. Location info and registration for Reverse Tashlich will be forthcoming. Please contact Assistant Director of Engagement Joy Plummer for more information at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Click here to RSVP.- Watch the High Holy Days Online!
Each year during the High Holy Days, we recognize that many individuals may be unable to attend in person but still wish to participate in the celebrations. We appreciate everyone who makes the effort to join us, whether in person or online. If you are a member or nonmember guest and want to view the services or did not receive the relative information, please call us at (925)283 - 8575 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
You can watch the High Holy Days for 5785/2024 on our YouTube channel or by clicking the videos below. Thank you for being with us. We wish you a new year filled with peace, prosperity, and love.
Erev Rosh Hashanah:
Rabbi Torop’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon
Rosh Hashanah:
Rabbi Perlman’s Rosh Hashanah Sermon:Kol Nidre:
Early Service
Later Service
Yom Kippur
Morning Service
Yom Kippur Family Service
Yom Kippur Yizkor, Jewish Journeys, and Ne’ilah Service
- Rosh Hashanah Schedule
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
7:30pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Sermon: Rabbi Aaron Torop
Our service is filled with inspirational readings and sacred music designed to awaken our souls to the uplifting themes of the Holy Days. Our choir will fill our hearts with song. Utilizing our machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, this service will be led by our clergy team and will include a message from our Temple President Heather Stoneman. Service is followed by outdoor reception with honey cake. Click here for the Erev Rosh Hashanah Service Pages.Rosh Hashanah: Thursday, October 3, 2024
9:30am Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Sermon: Rabbi Jill Perlman
Continuing the warm, uplifting feeling begun the night before, this service, designed for adults, will include the beautiful music of the choir, the sounding of the shofar, chanting from our sacred texts, and the rabbi’s inspirational message for the new year. Led by Rabbis Perlman and Torop and Cantor Korn. Click here for the Rosh Hashanah Morning Service Pages.
10am Outdoor Rosh Hashanah Family/Tot Service
Location: Little Hills, San Ramon
Grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets as we spread out on the big lawn. Join Rabbis Greninger and Miller for an informal, participatory, multi-generational service for families with children in grades 0-7th. This service will include stories, songs, chanting from the Torah, sounding the shofar and inspirational messages from our rabbis. Wear comfortable clothing, bring your own portable seating, and stay for activities and optional byo picnic lunch.
12:30pm Community Tashlich
Location: Lafayette Reservoir
We invite all members of Temple Isaiah to come together at the Lafayette Reservoir for a Tashlich ritual led by our clergy. Temple Isaiah will provide delicious round challahs, apples, and honey for our community. Bring your own picnic lunch if desired! This is an opportunity to symbolically “cast away our sins” at a body of water and prepare our hearts for the year to come.
1:30pm Rosh Hashanah Teen Service
Location: Adult Lounge
Led by Rabbi Miller, our Youth Director, and members of our teen community, our teens will engage in an informal, meaningful Rosh Hashanah experience.
Shabbat Shuva with Healing Service
Friday, October 4, 6:30pm
Locations: Sanctuary and YouTube
Join us for this special Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with Rabbi Perlman and Cantor Korn where our focus will be on the theme of spiritual return and healing of the body, mind, and soul.
Shabbat Shuva with Mussar
Saturday, October 5, 10:30am
Locations: Beit Knesset and YouTube
Join Rabbi Miller for this Mussar and Meditation during this special Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur known as our Shabbat of Return.There are things in our lives and within ourselves that we can change and there are some that sadly cannot change. On this Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will explore the midah (virtue) of Kabalah/ Acceptance. Through discussion, meditation, chanting and personal reflection Rabbi Alissa Miller and Jeanette Gross will guides us on how to accept what can and cannot change and help us access deeper wisdom on how to change that which we can.
If you are seeking a soulful Shabbat, but with a little less prayer and more interaction with fellow seekers - this is for you. If you want ways to grow wiser in your everyday life - this is for you. If you aren’t so sure about chanting and silence, give it a try anyway. You might be surprised at how the combination of music and silence calms us, connects us, and creates space for new ways of thinking and acting to emerge.
- Yom Kippur Schedule
Kol Nidre: Friday, October 11, 2024
4:45pm Kol Nidre Children’s Program
Location: Chaiken Family Talmud Torah Center
While parents and older children attend the early Kol Nidre service with their families, we invite Temple Isaiah members’ children in preschool (potty trained) through 4th grade to attend a Kol Nidre Children’s Program in the Talmud Torah Center. The children will eat dinner and participate in an interactive and educational Yom Kippur program. Registration is required, click here to register. PLEASE NOTE: The Kol Nidre Children’s Program is for members only. Questions? Contact (925) 284-9191. The Kol Nidre children’s program is funded by the Charles and Ellen Emold Memorial Fund.5pm Kol Nidre Services
8pm Kol Nidre Services
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Sermon: Rabbi Jill Perlman
The Kol Nidre service with two times to choose from includes the haunting melody of the Kol Nidre (All Vows) prayer sung by Cantor Korn and the choir. It is traditional to don tallitot (prayer shawls) during this service and to wear white throughout Yom Kippur. Utilizing our machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, this service will be led by our clergy team. Click here for the Kol Nidre Service Pages.Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur: Saturday, October 12
9:30am Yom Kippur Morning Service
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Sermon: Rabbi Aaron Torop
Gathering in our Sanctuary, we will use our machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh to guide us as we face our transgressions and seek forgiveness during the Day of Atonement. The music of our choir and Cantor Korn add to the majesty and awe of this most holy day. The service includes a Torah service and will be led by Cantor Korn and Rabbis Perlman and Torop. Click here for the Yom Kippur Morning Service Pages.9:30am Yom Kippur Teen service
Location: Adult Lounge
Led by Rabbi Miller, our Youth Director, and members of the teen community, including a service and informal programming on the themes of Yom Kippur.9:30am Yom Kippur Tot service
Location: Lafayette Reservoir
Sing with us as we lift up Yom Kippur in this service built specifically for tots and their families, led by Rabbi Greninger.12:30pm Yom Kippur Family Service
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Join us for a multi-generational service led by Rabbis Perlman, Miller and Greninger for families with children in grades kindergarten through 7th grade in our awe-inspiring Sanctuary. This service will include stories, songs, and chanting from the Torah.12:15 to 1:15pm Grief Support Group with Dawn Boyer
Location: Library
Gather with others for a chance to process the loss of loved ones in our lives.12:15 to 1:15pm Neshamah Yoga for Yom Kippur with Kendra Fried
Location: Adult Lounge
Join for a special seated session of Neshamah Yoga for Yom Kippur.1:15 to 2:15pm Yom Kippur Art Experience with Joani Share
Location: Temple Courtyard between Temple House and Talmud Torah Center
There are no skills or art experience required, just a willingness to explore.1:15 to 2:15pm Yom Kippur Healing Circle with Jeanette Gross
Locations: Beit Knesset and on Zoom
Each Yom Kippur between Temple Isaiah’s morning and afternoon services we hold a Sacred Chant Healing Circle to deepen and enrich this long day of prayer and fasting. We pray for ALL in need of healing, including ourselves, sharing names of loved ones either silently or out loud. Click here for the Yom Kippur Healing Circle Chant sheet.2:15 to 3:15pm The Wisdom of Mussar with Rabbi Alissa Miller
Location: Adult Lounge
Come explore the wisdom of Mussar, meaning “correction” or “ethical learning.” This will be a time for discussion and contemplation as we strive for our ultimate goal: to become a mensch, a person of honesty and ethical quality trusted and loved by those around us. If you have never studied Mussar, no worries. This session will create a space for new ways of thinking and acting to emerge.3:30pm Yom Kippur Yizkor Service
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
During the Yizkor (Remembrance) service, we will remember our departed loved ones and pray that their memories will be for loving blessings. We will expand our remembrance to those taken from us this year on October 7th and the days that followed. Click here to the Yizkor PDF.4:15pm Yom Kippur Afternoon Service (Jewish Journeys)
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
We will continue this new and beloved Isaiah tradition of sharing our Jewish journeys. This year’s Jewish Journeys speakers will be Sara Duckler, Adam Hanin, and Ann Hester.5:30pm Yom Kippur Ne’ilah Service and Community-Wide Breaking-the-fast
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary, South Lawn and YouTube
Our final community gathering for Yom Kippur will be a moving service known as Ne’ilah. Click here for the Ne’ilah Service Pages.Break-the-Fast: Register Now!
We will conclude the day with a final sounding of the shofar followed by breaking-the-fast.Click here to register for Break-the-Fast
- Festivals
Our month of Holy Days continues with the celebration of the harvest in our Sukkah and dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah.
We are honored to share that the Sukkah is built, financed, and maintained by Anshei Isaiah, the Men’s Club of Temple Isaiah.Erev Sukkot Traditional Beit Midrash Study with Rabbi Perlman
Wednesday, October 16
6:30pm Optional Community Sukkot Chinese Dinner in the Sukkah
7pm-8:15pm Traditional Beit Midrash in the Oneg Room
To celebrate the arrival of the holiday of Sukkot, we will start with an optional dinner in the sukkah at 6:30. By 7pm, we will move into the Oneg Room where Rabbi Perlman will kick off our study of the rituals around and many meanings behind Sukkot. We will then break up into traditional chevruta (study pairs or in our case, threes and fours) to continue our deep dive into pre-selected texts before returning for a whole-class shiur (class) where we will be able to share our insights and continue the study with Rabbi Perlman. All study levels welcome! Registration for dinner and for this special Beit Midrash session to follow.
Click here to register.Morning Sukkot Service with Torah Reading
Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 9am
Locations: Sukkah and YouTubeSukkot Shabbat Dinner
Friday, October 18, 2024 at 5:30pm
Locations: Sukkah
Join your Temple Isaiah community for Cuban dinner and a beautiful Sukkot festival service in the sukkah! We’ll eat and celebrate together, shake the lulav and etrog, sing, study, and worship. Dinner is $20/adult and $12/child (12 and under) Please register by clicking here by Thursday, October 17.Sukkot Shabbat Service
Friday, October 18, 2024, at 6:30pm
Locations: Sukkah and on YouTubeErev Simchat Torah Service with the Mizmor Band
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6:30pm
Locations: Social Hall
Come sing and dance with the Torah scroll as we celebrate restarting our cycle of Torah readings. All ages come together to celebrate this fun and important holiday!Atzeret - Simchat Torah Service with Yizkor
Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 9am
Locations: Temple Isaiah Sanctuary and YouTube- Honoring Our Loved Ones
Honoring Our Loved Ones
Please be sure to mark your calendars and take advantage of the following opportunities to honor your loved ones this year.
Hamakom Simcha Path
Deadline: Monday, August 26, 2024
Hamakom is our beautiful garden with meditation labyrinth and brick simcha path to commemorate celebratory events. We hope our members will consider engraving bricks on the Simcha path as fun, and permanent ways to celebrate their families’ and our community’s celebrations in honor of a bar or bat mitzvah, birth, wedding, anniversary, and more. This is also a wonderful opportunity to join together with family, friends or with your Havurah to honor simchas as a group. Please place your order by the deadline to be included in the simcha path by the High Holy Days. Questions? Please contact Lisa Taylor at the Temple office at (925) 283-8575, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).For plaques and bricks, please use the existing donation form accessible by logging into your Salesforce account or by clicking here.
Memorial Plaques
Deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024
A wonderful way to remember your loved ones in perpetuity is to have their names inscribed on our Memorial Wall. Names of our dear ones on the Sanctuary memorial plaques are forever included in the “Perpetual Memory” section of the Yizkor Book. Should you wish to purchase a memorial plaque to honor your beloved departed, please contact Lisa Taylor at the Temple office at (925) 283-8575, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).For plaques and bricks, please use the existing donation form accessible by logging into your Salesforce account or by clicking here.
Temple Isaiah Yizkor Book: A Book of Remembrance
Deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024
Yizkor is the part of the service on Yom Kippur day in which we remember our loved ones. Temple Isaiah is publishing our annual Yizkor Book of Remembrance for the High Holy Days. If you would like your names and the names of your beloved departed included in the book, please click below to complete the form. We cannot guarantee any names received after the deadline. In the spirit of Tzedakah, we ask that you make a donation to the Yizkor Fund when completing the form. To help avoid errors, please clearly enter the full names of the departed (In Memory of), and full names of family/friends (Remembered By) that you wish to include in the Yizkor Book of Remembrance. Those who had their names included in the book last year were sent a letter by mail to confirm your listing. May their righteous memories be for a sweet and loving blessing. Questions? Please contact Lisa Taylor at the Temple office at (925) 283-8575, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).- Mishkan HaNefesh
Mishkan HaNefesh
Mishkan HaNefesh prayerbook sets can be purchased online here or borrowed from Temple Isaiah. Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (925) 283-8575.
Mishkan HaNefesh ebooks can be viewed on any device using the free Amazon Kindle app.
Click here for the Rosh Hashanah machzor as a .pdf
Click here for the Yom Kippur machzor as a .pdf