High Holy Days and Festival Services 2019/5780
INTRODUCTION
When Sally Goldstein heard that the renowned pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski was coming to New York and would be performing at the famous Metropolitan Opera House, she immediately purchased two tickets, one for herself and one for her son Adam. Adam was not yet five years old and while most people thought he was too young for such a concert, she was determined to bring him as she viewed her son as a “prodigy in the making” and hoped he would draw inspiration from the great Paderewski.
They arrived early and an usher guided them to their seats. Sally spotted an old acquaintance and turned to converse with her, momentarily disregarding her inquisitive child. Adam slipped out of his seat, made his way down the aisle, and meandered towards the doors labelled: ‘Do not enter- for employees only’.
A few moments later the lights dimmed as the much-anticipated performance was about to begin. Suddenly, Sally noticed that her child had gone missing and desperately began to scan the entire hall looking for him, but to no avail. The extensive stage at the front was completely empty except for one baby grand Steinway piano – Paderewski’s very own. The crowd hushed as the curtains opened, awaiting Paderewski’s grand entrance. The audience waited with bated breath. In that moment, out pranced little Adam, entirely oblivious to the complete astonishment of the audience and most of all, his mother. The crowd began to whisper in puzzlement and amazement as Adam, with complete confidence and poise, settled onto the piano stool and began his finest rendition of “twinkle twinkle little star”. Uncertain of what to expect next, the crowd waited patiently.
Suddenly, Paderewski, bedecked in a long black tail coat, sauntered onto the stage and came up behind little Adam. Wrapping his skilled fingers around the novice’s hands he whispered calmly: “just keep on playing, son. You’re doing a beautiful job.” As Adam resumed his simple melody, the great maestro’s fingers began to dance around the keyboard effortlessly, creating intricate harmonies weaving their way perfectly into Adam’s simple tune. The intensity rose as Paderewski dazzled the crowd with an unforgettable finale, which received a thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Adam lowered himself from the stool and stood side by side next to the leading pianist of the generation. He was very proud of his performance. And so was Paderewski!
Rosh Hashanah is a time when we dream big. We think about what could be for the coming year; who we could be, what we could achieve. Think big, aim high. Life is challenging, but if we show commitment and determination, the Almighty “wraps his arms around us” and encourages us to “keep on playing”.
Rina and I would love to have a chance to talk with each and every one of you. As well as coffee breaks with the Rebbetzin during Rosh Hashanah service, we will also be having a Kiddush after the service. Please come over and have a chat!
Rina and I wish you all a peaceful, successful and meaningful year ahead. Shana Tova!
Rabbi Meir Shindler
********************************************************************************
Services will be led by Rabbi Meir Shindler, Jon Katzauer, and Hirsh Cashdan
********************************************************************************
Non- members are welcome to attend but are asked to pay £50 per person or £100 for two adults with children, which will cover attendance at all services over the Festival period.
********************************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE THAT KIDDUSH FOLLOWS EVERY SERVICE EXCEPT ON YOM KIPPUR.
ROSH HASHANAH
Sunday Evening, 29th September
Festival begins/Light Candles ……………………………… 6.29pm
Afternoon & Evening Service…………………………………………. 6.30pm
Monday 30th September
Morning Service……………………………………………………………. 8.45am
Shofar blowing..(approx.)………………………………………………. 10.45am
Children’s Programme & Youth Programme………………………………. 11.30am
Kiddush follows the service
Tashlich
Tashlich on the Richmond side of Richmond Bridge with wine & drinks
Meet by the foot of the bridge………………………………………… 5.15pm
Afternoon Service…………………………………………………………. 6.30pm
Short Talk on a Rosh Hashanah Theme with Rabbi Shindler,
followed by Evening Service…………………………………………. 6.45pm
Second day Yom Tov begins and candle lighting (from an existing flame)………………………………………………………………………….. 7.27pm
Tuesday 1st October
Morning Service …………………………………………………………… 8.45am
Shofar blowing…(approx..)…………………………………………….. 10.45am
Children’s Programme & Youth Programme……………………… 11.30am
Kiddush follows the service
FAST OF GEDALIAH
Wednesday, 2nd October
Fast begins …………………………………………………………………… 5.24am
Fast ends …………………………………………………………………….. 7.17pm
SHABBAT SHUVAH
Friday Evening, 4th October
Shabbat begins/Light candles…………………………………………. 6.17pm
Kabbalat Shabbat & Evening Service………………………………. 7.00pm
Shabbat, 5th October
Morning Service…………………………………………………………….. 9.30am
Shabbat Ends…………………………………………………………………. 7.16pm
YOM KIPPUR
Tuesday Evening, 8th October
Fast and Yom Tov begin/candle lighting ……………………………… 6.08pm
Kol Nidrei and Evening Service……………………………………….. 6.10pm
Wednesday 9th October
Morning Service ……………………………………………………………. 9.00am
Yizkor (approx.)…………………………………………………………….. 12.15pm
Children’s Programme and Youth Programme (following Yizkor, approx.) 12.30pm
Mussaf (approx.)……………………………………………………………. 1.00pm
Followed by ‘Ask The Rabbi’ – Question and Answer session.
Afternoon Service…………………………………………………………… 4.00pm
Sermon followed by Ne’ilah…………………………………………….. 5.25pm
Fast and Yom Tov end……………………………………………………… 7.07pm
SHABBAT PARSHAT HA’AZINU
Friday Evening, 11th October
Shabbat begins/ candle lighting…………………………….. ……. 6.02pm
Evening service………………………………………………………………… 7.00pm
Shabbat, 12th October
Morning Service……………………………………………………………….. 9.30am
Shabbat ends…………………………………………………………………….. 7.01pm
SUKKOT
Sunday Evening, 13th October
Festival begins/Light candles ………………………………….. 5.57pm
Afternoon/Evening Service ………………………………………………. 6.00pm
Monday, 14th October
Morning Service………………………………………………………………. 9.30am
Afternoon/Evening Service……………………………………………….. 7.00 pm
Second day Yom Tov begins and candle lighting (from an existing flame)…………………………………………………………………………….. 6.57pm
Tuesday, 15th October
Morning Service ………………………………………………………………. 9.30am
Yom tov ends………………………………………………………….. 6.55pm
SHABBAT CHOL HAMOED
Friday Evening, 18th October
Shabbat begins/ candle lighting ………………………………. 5.46pm
Evening service………………………………………………………………… 7.00pm
Shabbat, 19th October
Morning Service……………………………………………………………….. 9.30am
Shabbat ends…………………………………………………………………….. 6.46pm
HOSHANA RABBA
Sunday, 20th October
Morning service, followed by breakfast……………………………….. 8.15am
SHEMINI ATZERET
Sunday Evening, 20th October
Festival begins/Candle lighting ………………………………… 5.42pm
Afternoon/Evening Service…………………………………………………….. 5.45pm
Monday, 21st October
Morning Service (including Yizkor)……………………………………… 9.30am
Yizkor (approx..)……………………………………………….. 11.15am
Second day Yom Tov begins, candle lighting (from an existing flame) 6.42pm
Afternoon/Evening Service followed by Hakafot & Simchat Torah Party 6.00pm
Honoured Chatanim, Andrew Selzer and Simon Itkin would be delighted if you would join them for a l’chaim and party after the service and dancing (hakafot)
SIMCHAT TORAH
Tuesday, 22nd October
Richmond honours our Chatan Torah & Chatan Bereishit
Morning Service with Hakafot and dancing…………………….. 9.15am
Yom tov ends………………………………………………………….. 6.40pm
Rabbi Shindler’s Schedule
Rabbi Shindler intends to provide a number of short insights/explanations during the prayers. He also plans to deliver sermons on the following occasions over the Yom Tov period:
1st Day Rosh Hashanah – Before Shofar blowing at 10.45am, Short talk after Minchah
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah – Before Shofar Blowing at 10.45am.
Shabbat Shuvah – Before Mussaf
Yom Kippur Evening – Between Kol Nidrei and Ma’ariv
Yom Kippur Daytime – Before Yizkor, before Minchah (q&a session) & before Ne’ilah
Shabbat Parshat Haazinu – Before Mussaf
1st Day Sukkot ` – Before Mussaf
2nd Day Sukkot – Before Mussaf
Shabbat Chol HaMoed – Before Mussaf
Shemini Atzeret – Before Mussaf
Shabbat Bereishit – Before Mussaf
Children’s Programmes
There will be a full range of exciting programming for children over the Yom Tov season, run by our enthusiastic leaders. They will take place at 11.30am on Rosh Hashanah and after Yizkor (about 12.30) on Yom Kippur. We also run a Kids’ Shabbat club all year round on the first Shabbat of every month (at 11.15am) mornings and feature singing, games and discussions, as well as each having their own Kiddush. If you haven’t previously come along, do join us this year during the holiday season and afterwards.
Youth Programme
We will be running a dynamic youth programme. There will be creative and engaging discussions on interesting topics and issues.
Coffee & Refreshments Room on Rosh Hashanah
During both days Rosh Hashanah, from about 11am onwards, you are invited to pop in to the Rabbi’s office to have a break for a hot drink, cake and a friendly chat with Rebbetzen Rina Shindler.
New Koren-Sacks Machzorim in the Shul
The Synagogue now has a large number of the new Koren-Sacks Machzorim for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and festivals. These have replaced many of our old Routledge Machzorim. They are clear, easy to use and have a wonderful commentary written by former Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks. We would encourage you to try them out and use them!
Arba Minim (4 species) for Succot
Once again we will taking orders for Arba Minim to be used over Succot. Price is £25. Please order with Rabbi Shindler: meirshindler@gmail.com by Wed 2nd Oct.