High Holy Days and Festival Services 2022/5783
Part I – Message from Rabbi Chaim and Rebbetzen Gila Golker
Part II – Detailed schedule.
Part I – Message from Rabbi Chaim and Rebbetzen Gila Golker
Rosh Hashana brings with it a sense of nostalgia, the shrill sounds of the shofar, the enchanting melodies of the Rosh Hashana prayers, the smells of freshly home-made honey cake and the colourful sights of apples, pomegranates and new fruits. It is accompanied by childhood memories and a warm feeling of familiarity and comfort.
But Rosh Hashana also carries a certain heaviness, it is the first of the High Holy Days, often referred to as the Day of Judgement. It reflects an earnest desire for this year to be different, to be better, to be the year that lives up to our hopes and aspirations.
This idea can be found in the Hebrew word for year – Shanah. This word contains a dual meaning; it means both repetition and change.
The yearly calendar is much the same – the festivals occur annually at their correct dates; it repeats from year to year. But there is also change too. Perhaps, the calendar may not change much from year to year, but we certainly do. We bring an additional year of wisdom, insight and life experience with us. And we hope and pray that in a year’s time, we will utilise productively that precious gift of life, and have what to show for it.
As we usher in a new year, dip the apple in the honey, and reminisce about past memories of Rosh Hashana, let us be grateful for where we are today. It is a real blessing that we are able to come together for Rosh Hashana as a community, after two challenging years of a scaled back Rosh Hashana services where many of us were unable to attend due to health concerns.
And let us look to the future with optimism for a year that lives up to all our hopes for it. We pray that the coming year will be a year of happiness, health and success for us, our families, and the entire community.
This Rosh Hashana will be our first Rosh Hashana with the Richmond community. We eagerly look forward to meeting each and everyone of you over the course of the High Holy Days.
We wish you and your family a Shana Tovah – a happy and healthy new year!
Rabbi Chaim and Rebbetzen Gila Golker
Part II – Detailed Schedule
Services will be led by Rabbi Chaim, Jon Katzauer, and Hirsh Cashdan
Non-members are welcome to attend but are asked to pay £60 per person or £120 for two adults with children, which will cover attendance at all services over the Festival period (this is fully refunded if joining as a member within six months).
ROSH HASHANAH
Sunday Evening, 25th September
Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles ……………………………. 6.38pm
Afternoon & Evening Service………………………………… 7.00pm
Monday, 26th September
Morning Service (starting from Hamelech)………………… 9.00am
Shofar Blowing……………………………………………………………… 11.00am
Children’s Service & Youth Service…………………………………. 11.30am
Kiddush follows the service which will end at approximately 1.00pm
Tashlich on the Richmond side of Richmond Bridge with wine & drinks
Meet by the foot of the bridge………………………………….. 5.15pm
Afternoon Service…………………………………………………………. 6.45pm
Short Dvar Torah on a Rosh Hashanah Theme with Rabbi Chaim
followed by Evening Service…………………………………………. 7.00pm
Second day Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles (from an existing flame)………………………………………………………………………….. 7.37pm
Tuesday, 27th September
Morning Service (starting from Hamelech)………………… 9.00am
Shofar Blowing……………………………………………………………. 11.00am
Children Service and Youth Service………………………………. 11.30am
Kiddush follows the service which will end at approximately 1.00pm
Yom Tov Ends…………………………………………………………………. 7.34pm
FAST OF GEDALIAH
Wednesday, 28th September
Fast Begins …………………………………………………………………… 5.17am
Fast Ends …………………………………………………………………….. 7.26pm
SHABBAT SHUVAH (VAYEILECH)
Friday Evening, 30th September
Shabbat Begins/Light Candles ……………………………………….. 6.26pm
Kabbalat Shabbat & Evening Service………………………………. 7.00pm
Shabbat, 1st October
Morning Service…………………………………………………………….. 10.00am
Shabbat Ends…………………………………………………………………. 7.25pm
YOM KIPPUR
Tuesday Evening, 4th October
Fast and Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles…………………………… 6.17pm
Kol Nidrei and Evening Service……………………………………….. 6.20pm
Wednesday, 5th October
Morning Service 10.00am
Yizkor & Mussaf (approx.) 11.45am
BREAK and ‘Ask the Rabbi’ – Q & A.
Afternoon Service……………………………………………………………. 4.30pm
Sermon followed by Ne’ilah……………………………………………… 6.00pm
Fast and Yom Tov Ends…………………………………………………….. 7.16pm
SHABBAT HAAZINU
Friday Evening, 7th October
Shabbat Begins/Light Candles ………………………………………… 6.10pm
Kabbalat Shabbat & Evening Service……………………………….. 7.00pm
Shabbat, 8th October
Morning Service…………………………………………………………….. 10.00am
Shabbat Ends…………………………………………………………………. 7.09pm
SUKKOT
Sunday Evening, 9th October
Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles ………………………………. 6.06pm
Evening Service ………………………………………………. 7.00pm
Monday, 10th October
Morning Service……………………………………………………………. 10.00am
Afternoon/Evening Service…………………………………………… 7.00 pm
Second day Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles (from an existing flame) after 7.05pm
Tuesday, 11th October
Morning Service ………………………………………………………………. 10.00am
Yom Tov Ends………………………………………………………… 7.03pm
SHABBAT CHOL HAMOED SUKKOT
Friday Evening, 14th October
Shabbat Begins/Light Candles ………………………………………….. 5.55pm
Kabbalat Shabbat & Evening Service…………………………………. 7.00pm
Shabbat 15th October
Morning Service…………………………………………………………….. 10.00am
Shabbat Ends…………………………………………………………………. 6.55pm
HOSHANA RABBA
Sunday, 16th October
Morning Service followed by a bagel breakfast……………… 8.30am
SHEMINI ATZERET
Sunday Evening, 16th October
Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles ………………………………… 5.51pm
Evening Service with short Dvar Torah by Rabbi Jeremy Golker 7.00pm
Rabbi Jeremy Golker (Rabbi Chaim’s father) is the Head of Jewish studies at Hasmonean High Schools and is a much sought-after speaker.
Monday, 17th October
Morning Service (including Yizkor)………………………. 10.00am
Yizkor (approx..)……………………………………………….. 11.15am
Second day Yom Tov Begins/Light Candles (from an existing flame) after 6.50pm
Afternoon/Evening Service……………………………………. 6.30pm
Hakafot & Simchat Torah Celebrations………………………….. 7.00pm
Our Chatanim, Rabbi Chaim and David Kramer invite you to join us for dancing and a festive kiddush (hotdogs included!) – children are especially welcome!
SIMCHAT TORAH
Tuesday, 18th October
Richmond honours our Chatan Torah, Rabbi Chaim Golker, & Chatan Bereishit, David Kramer.
Morning Service with Hakafot and dancing…………………. 9.30am
Yom Tov Ends………………………………………………………….. 6.48pm
Rabbi Chaim’s Schedule
Rabbi Chaim intends to deliver sermons on the following occasions over the Yom Tov period:
1st Day Rosh Hashanah – Before Shofar Blowing
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah – Before Shofar Blowing and Dvar Torah in the evening
Each Shabbat – Before Mussaf
Yom Kippur Evening – Between Kol Nidrei and Ma’ariv
Yom Kippur Daytime – Before Yizkor & before Ne’ilah. Also a Q and A session.
1st Day Sukkot – Before Mussaf
2nd Day Sukkot – Before Mussaf
Shemini Atzeret – Before Mussaf
Children and Youth Programmes on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
We will be running an exciting new programme for children and youth at 11:30am on both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Our fun and interactive programmes on will be led by Rebbetzen Gila, Vardith Partouche (our newly appointed Head of Ivrit programme at Richmond Cheder) and Ella El-baz (Richmond Cheder teacher).
Coffee & Refreshments on Rosh Hashanah
An outdoor Coffee Area will be available this year on both days of Rosh Hashanah, providing an opportunity to chat with Rebbetzen Gila. It will be held outdoors, subject to weather conditions.
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 Golker at chaimgolker@richmondsynagogue.org.uk by Thursday 29th September 2022.