Temple Israel of Great Neck to Open High Holy Day Services, Youth and Teen Programs, to the Community
Temple Israel of Great Neck will be opening its doors to the public this 5780 High Holy Day season for the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah, as well as their Yizkor Service and Jack Stein Memorial Symposium on Yom Kippur.
Services on the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and non-members are invited to join us in observing the Jewish New Year beginning with Shaharit at 8:15 A.M. Rosh Hashanah gives us an opportunity to pray that we will be granted a year of peace, prosperity, and blessing. Services will include the sounding of the shofar.
The Community Yizkor (Memorial) Service and the Jack Stein Memorial Symposium will both be held at 3 P.M. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year, is a day of reflection and contemplation in the goal of becoming a better person. It is a tradition to remember departed loved ones and pledge charity in their memory on Yom Kippur. That service of remembrance is called Yizkor.
The topic of this year’s Jack Stein Memorial Symposium, named in honor of the late president of Temple Israel who, for years, conducted a popular forum during the break-in Yom Kippur services, will be “Human Rights Advocacy as a Jewish Imperative”.
After his tenure at the synagogue ended, Stein continued his illustrious career by going on to serve as president of METNY, becoming involved in the international organization of Conservative congregations (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and authoring the book “Days of Challenge: The Making of a Modern American Jewish Leader.” He was also named as chairman of the Conference of Major American Jewish Organizations and used his position to lobby then-U.S. United Nations ambassador George H.W. Bush for the release of some captured Israeli pilots.
Advocating for human rights and the advancement of democratic ideals is something close to the heart of this year’s symposium speaker, a former refugee who escaped discrimination in the Middle East and Europe, and has spoken out in support for Iran’s minorities at the White House, US Congress, the State Department and the European Union.
The synagogue will also welcome participation from the community in some of their youth and teen programs, for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Synagogue offerings for younger participants include Preschool Services, where early childhood educators will celebrate the holidays through song, stories and games, and Bonim Services, for children in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, where kids will engage in a fast-paced interactive program blending familiar prayers and stories with props, discussions and enthusiastic singing.
Teens in 7th to 12th grade are invited to attend special services in Temple Israel of Great Neck’s Youth House, featuring Torah readings, shofar blowings, great discussions and creative activities, conducted by Youth House Director Avi Siegel and other guest teen educators. A Teen Social Gathering will be taking place in the Youth House following services, giving all teens a place to hang out and enjoy some snacks and games and, on Yom Kippur only, a College-Aged Teen Program will be held in the Youth House, where Avi Siegel will lead an interesting discussion on Jewish life on campus.
Advanced registration is required to attend all services.
The Temple Israel parking lot will be closed while observing the High Holy Days, except for vehicles with handicap identification. On-street parking will be available, but those attending the service must observe parking regulations.
For further information, or to register, please contact Executive Director Jamey Kohn at (516) 482-7800 or jkohn@tign.org.
Temple Israel of Great Neck is located at 108 Old Mill Road.
