High Holy Days

PRAYERBOOK (MACHZOR)

Members may borrow a prayerbook when we gather for our Shofar Service (see below); everyone is welcome to access a copy of the machzor (High Holy Day prayerbooks) by downloading a free flip book or by purchasing a physical or electronic version here.

REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES

You may remember your loved ones who no longer dwell on earth by submitting photos for inclusion in our photo montage, which will be broadcast during the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur. It is customary to perform an act of tzedaka with a small donation for each photo you submit (recommended amount $5 per photo or name). All photos and names must be submitted not later than September 3rd to spencermrothman@gmail.com. Be certain to put YIZKOR in the subject line.

TZEDAKAH/FOOD COLLECTION

We will again be collecting food for the Lowell Mobile Food Pantry. Bring your non-perishables to the Elul shofar service on Sunday, August 29 at 10am.

REGISTRATION

As has long been our custom, everyone is welcome, and cost should never be an obstacle to worship. However, we do have expenses and so we do ask that all attendees donate as they are able; the recommended minimum contribution is $36-50 per service, or $250 for the series. Donations can be made here, or mailed to TEMV at 151 Warren Street #200 Lowell, MA 01852. You are welcome to forward this newsletter to your friends and family so you can spend the holiday “together”. Please note registration links are unique to each user and cannot be shared; each person or group using the same device MUST pre-register for each service using the links below. This means that your friends and family must register themselves; you cannot forward your service links to them.

TEMV maintains its long-standing tradition of open and free seating during the High Holy Days. Every year, we open our doors to anyone who wants to attend, selling no tickets, with no reserved seating. We’ve done this for the entire time the temple has been in existence. It is part of who we are.

We always value being transparent with our congregation, and this year it is more important than ever. Dues are our main source of income, and this fiscal year, membership pledges are expected to only cover about 50% of our operating budget. In light of our financial situation and in order to move towards a sustainable, balanced budget, rather than a traditional HHD Appeal, we are requesting optional donations as part of the high holidays registration process.

Please know that you will still be able to register for services, even if you are not able to make a donation. If you can donate, we want you to donate within your means, even if that means choosing an amount outside of the suggested donation range.  Above all, we will not turn anyone away for lack of funds.  When deciding on suggested donation amounts, we kept in mind that we will not be doing a separate high holiday appeal this year. So, if you can donate, please give as much as you are able. 

Suggested Donation Rates

$36 – $50 for each individual service/program

OR

$250 for access to all services and programming

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Payments at any rate (whether within the suggested range, above the suggested range, or below the suggested range) do not affect your ability to register or access the Zoom links.

Click Here to View the 2021 / 5782 High Holy Day Schedule and Register for Services!

Click here to make a donation to TEMV online.

And if you haven’t already joined TEMV and would like to do so, click here!

We welcome all who wish to explore Jewish practice—our membership includes both Jewish and Jewish/interfaith families, families of multiple ethnicities and geographic backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ families and individuals.

Of particular note are our afternoon “family” services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These brief, engaging services will include the liturgical highlights for each holy day, as well as songs, a story, shofar calls! All are welcome — this is a wonderful opportunity for adults and children to worship together, as well as for those who may have other school or work obligations in the morning, are looking for a taste of TEMV, or would simply enjoy a shorter service. Invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives!

We use the Central Conference of American Rabbi’s new Mishkan HaNefesh (“Sanctuary of the Soul”) as our machzor (High Holiday prayer book).

Other Holidays

We celebrate other holidays in a variety of ways, including a second-night pot-luck Passover seder, a Tu B’Sh’vat seder, a Torah unrolling for Simchat Torah, and a rollicking Purim service. Check the calendar to see what’s coming up!