Dear Friends,
This is the first newsletter being sent out to the Jewish deaf young adults in Los Angeles. We are very excited about being together with friends for the upcoming high holiday services.
From the responses of 14 people, it is obvious that there is a need or a want for this kind of program to be offered. It will be an enriching experience to host services at our house.
We are excited to announce some upcoming events: cooking classes will be offered from Oct. 14th through Nov.18th and a Sukkah meal on Oct.17th.
We are going to make it an annual thing to host High Holiday services, Sukkah event, and Passover Seder. The reason why we are doing this is because there are times when we need to celebrate these occasions and be with our friends where there are no communication barriers and be able to fully participate in the services.
We are looking for someone who would like to take turns to host an Chanukah event once a year. The reason why we are hosting three of the above events is because we don’t know if anyone else builds a sukkah, or lives in a kosher home for Passover time or someone who is familiar with the preparations for High Holiday services. Chanukah does not require any special preparations. If anyone has any ideas to share, please let us know as we are open to suggestions.
Again, we would like to thank you for your support and giving us a chance to offer this program. We do not wish to be a formal organization with officers or require meetings, and in no competition with other Jewish deaf groups. We only want to gather with our friends at least four times a year during the Jewish holidays to remind us of our religion and preserve our heritage. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy new year.
Rosh Hashana, the first day of the Jewish New Year is celebrated all over the world for two days by the Orthodox and Conservative Jews, on the first and second day of Tishri which is usually in September. The Reform Jews celebrate Rosh Hashana for only one day.
In the Bible, Rosh Hashana was a one-day holiday. The change from a one-day to a two-day holiday occurred when it was found that the one day could fall on Shabbat and we wouldn’t be able to hear the shofar as it is not permitted to blow the shofar on Shabbat. So they added the second day to allow us hear the shofar. This year, we will hear the shofar on both days, Monday & Tuesday.
Rosh Hashana this year begins on Sunday night, September 27 and ends on Tuesday night, September 29th.
Services on Monday, September 28th will begin at 9 a.m. Services will end approximately at 1 p.m. then lunch will be served.
This year, Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and praying, falls on the sixth of October, tenth of Tishri, Tuesday night to Wednesday night, October 7th.
The Yizkor service, which is a memorial service for immediate family members, goes back to the fifth century. Its origin is not clear, but it may have been started as a prayer for Yom Kippur to help people recall the lives of their beloved ones. The Yizkor service started in the eleventh to thirteenth century which was the Crusades period, when thousands of Jews were killed by the Crusaders on their way to Palestine from Europe. The service gives people a chance to express loss of their departed ones.
Kol Nidre is said three times before sunset as it is a prayer asking for release of vows made innocently or under pressure. The shofar is blown at the final (Neila) service of Yom Kippur. One long blast of the shofar ends the day of fasting.
Services on Wednesday, October 7th will begin at 10 a.m. Services will end approximately at 1 p.m. then we will have group discussions, then relax for a while so bring comfortable clothes to wear. We will resume services at 6 pm till dark when the holiday ends at 7:14 p.m. Then we will break the fast with juices and honey cake, then a dairy dinner will be served.
Blessed are You, our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle lights for the Festival. [*Yom Kippur]
Baruch atab adonoy elohaynu melech ha-olam asher kidshanub ‘mitzvosovv’ tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel yom tov
Blessed are You, our G-d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Baruch atah adonoy elohaynu melech ha-olam shohecheyonu v’kiymonu v’higi-anu lazman hazeh
* Say Yom Kippur, not Festival for Yom Kippur
