S’lichot is a late-night service usually held the Saturday before Rosh HaShanah. At Am Shalom, the beautiful, moving service is preceded by study, and we change the Torah covers to white in preparation for the High Holy Days. It’s the first time that we sing the penitential prayers of the season, beginning the process of soul-searching and soul-cleansing that make the High Holy Days so powerful and personal.
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish new year, celebrated with prayers and the sounding of the shofar. There are a variety of services geared for all ages, from tots to school-aged children and from teens to adults, beginning on Erev Rosh HaShanah and going through to the Second Day. On the first day of Rosh HaShanah, we conclude the day at Glencoe Beach to engage in the ritual of Tashlich, symbolically casting our sins into the water. Second Day services are followed by a light lunch.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day marked by solemn prayer and fasting. The Kol Nidre prayer is recited on the eve of Yom Kippur, and services are held again throughout the day of Yom Kippur. The day comes to an end with Afternoon, Healing, Yizkor and Concluding Services.
Simchat Torah is celebrated at the end of Sukkot. We read the end of the Torah and begin again by reading the opening lines of the Torah. We celebrate this yearly milestone with a festive dinner and service on the eve of the holiday. We unroll the Torah scroll so that it circles the entire Sanctuary. Following the service, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band leads a parade into our Social Hall for dancing, dessert and celebration. This evening is also when we celebrate the Consecration of our kindergarten and new students as they begin their religious education. A Festival and Yizkor service is held on the morning of the holiday.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. One of the most widely-observed holidays, it’s celebrated with candles, food, family, friends. At Am Shalom, we celebrate with a Chanukah Shabbat service and festive dinner, nightly candle lightings, and an opportunity for Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, through our Dreidel Tags holiday gifting project.
Yizkor (Memorial) services are held four times a year:
Purim is so much fun! This holiday celebrates how Queen Esther saves her people from the king’s evil advisor, Haman. We dress in costumes and eat three-cornered pastries called hamantaschen. Every year we hold a Purim Carnival with games, crafts, bounce houses, and treats.
The Festival of our Freedom, as Passover is known, celebrates the exodus from Egypt. Join us each year for our First Day services, when Rabbi Phyllis and Rabbi Steve compete to see who can make the best Matzah Brei (fried matzah). We often host a Community Seder on the second night of Passover, which is open to all and family-friendly. On the last day of Passover, we hold a Passover Festival and Yizkor service.
On Shavuot, we recall the moment that our people stood at Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. It’s customary to study late into the night on Shavuot, and also to eat dairy – we often celebrate by gathering at some favorite local ice cream shops. On Shavuot morning, we hold Festival and Yizkor services in the Library.
Yizkor (Memorial) services are held four times a year:
