These services, on the holiest night of the year, will feature the contemplative prayers and stirring music unique to this holiday. They will be accompanied by Ann Frohbieter on organ and our professional choir.
Sunday, September 24
- Kol Nidre Service, 7:30 p.m., Barish Sanctuary (in person with streaming options)
Sermon by Rabbi Hayon
This service, on the holiest night of the year, will feature the contemplative prayers and stirring music unique to this holiday. They will be accompanied by Ann Frohbieter on organ and our professional choir and include the poignant setting of Kol Nidre played by Brinton Smith, Principal Cellist of the Houston Symphony.
Monday, September 25
- Children’s Service, 9:00 a.m., Barish Sanctuary (in person with streaming options)
Led by our clergy
Designed for children 8 and under and their families, this service offers engaging music, prayers, and stories that will encourage families to reflect on how we can be our best selves.
- Morning Service, 10:30 a.m., Barish Sanctuary (in person with streaming options)
Sermon by Rabbi Silk
This service will be led by our clergy, accompanied by Ann Frohbeiter on organ and our professional choir. Through stirring music and meaningful prayer, we will reflect on the themes of repentance and forgiveness.
- 3rd through 5th grade students are invited to pray with their parents for the first half of the service, then they will be led to a unique, age-appropriate Torah experience facilitated by our teen leaders and Helfman staff. Pre-registration required. Click here to register.
- Afternoon Experience
Enhance your Yom Kippur experience with afternoon options:
12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
The Apology Variety Hour, Rabbi Fixler, Barish Sanctuary
How do we find the words to say sorry? How do we find the strength to forgive and let go? We will explore the themes of apology and repair through diverse offerings of music, theater, and art. We will explore ancient texts and modern media to shed new light on the themes of this holy day.
1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Back in Time: Capturing Memory with Collage and Drawing, Ellen Orseck & Cantor Simmons, Oshman Multi-Purpose Room
Using collage materials congregants may explore memories of their childhood holiday celebrations or their family gatherings. Houston-based artist Ellen Orseck will lead participants through the process of drawing, collaging and developing opaque as well as translucent elements in their collage works. Advance registration requested due to limited space. Click here to register.
Life Lessons from Generation to Generation: The Gifts of an Ethical Will, Rabbi Silk, Stillman-Lack Library
Spend a bit of Yom Kippur afternoon reflecting on what’s most important in your life and consider ways to convey those things to the next generation. In this afternoon session we will learn about ethical wills, examine examples, and have the opportunity to begin crafting our own expressions of our values, achievements, blessings, life lessons, hopes and dreams.
Joining the Conversation: Expanding the Realm of Possibility in Jewish Text Study, Stefani Carlson, Board Room
For more than two millennia, Jews have studied Torah in community, generating lively debates in our search for meaning and relevance. Our texts record these discussions, in a literary tradition that transcends time and space to link thousands of voices into one great conversation. Midrash, a Hebrew word meaning “searching out and exploring sacred scripture,” is not just a body of writings, but a creative process that is continually ongoing. Come build connections to our texts and each other as we trace the thread of conversation around one of today’s Torah readings.
Musical Contemplation, Proler Chapel
A string quartet of Shepherd School musicians will create space for personal contemplation and meditation on the themes of the holiday.
2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Social Justice Showcase: Repairing Our World, Rabbi Fixler, Oshman Multi-Purpose Room
Learn from leaders representing some of our congregation’s incredible social justice projects. Hear about our work at a state and local level on healthcare equality, diversity and belonging, civic engagement, and hunger/homelessness. Join the conversation and discover ways that you can lend your own voice to this important work in this new year of 5784.
Meditation, Ann Friedman, Board Room
Experience a guided journey of mindfulness, utilizing the themes of the Days of Awe.
Yom Kippur, Then and Now, Rabbi Walter, Proler Chapel
- Healing & Wholeness, 3:30 p.m., Barish Sanctuary (in person with streaming options)
Find restoration and strength through poetry, song and prayer.
- Yizkor & N’ilah, 4:30 p.m., Barish Sanctuary (in person with streaming options)
Through meaningful readings and soul-stirring music, we will journey through varied expressions of grief and memory.
- Break the Fast, 6:30 p.m., Oshman Multipurpose Room
We will bring our holidays to a close by breaking the fast together.
