Aloha All!

JCK is honored and grateful to introduce you to our visiting High Holiday Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobbs!

In preparation for these High Holy Days, the Rabbi is hosting three Zoom meetings, starting on Tuesday, September 3; “Elul Insights” is the theme.

The following descriptions are directly from the Rabbi.

Tuesday, September 3, 6:30-7:30pm “Entering the Outer Gate (of the New Year).” We’ll gather together as the sun sets at 6:52pm, just below the new moon, for the opening moments of the preparatory month of Elul. All ages and stages are welcome to open the penitential season in virtual community as we think together about how to use the month ahead for reflection and growth.
Sunday, September 15, 11am-12pm “High Holy Days 101”
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Days of Awe (but were afraid to ask!) Mid-Elul, let’s refresh ourselves on what’s coming up and prepare to make the most of the weeks ahead. We’ll review a basic outline of the major services, look together at the Holy Days’ central themes, and reintroduce some key melodies so we can enter the New Year with spirit.
Sunday, September 22, 11am-12pm “High Holy Days 201”
A deeper dive into a few key prayers, their meanings, and their relevance - along with some teachings and tools about teshuvah, these holidays’ central work of introspection, restitution and repentance. Remember: the more you put into these Yamim Nora’im, (Days of Awe) the more you get out of them!

Please put these dates and times on your calendars; you won’t want to miss a thing! The ZOOM address will be posted as soon as it is available. Please look for it soon on our site.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87528169503?pwd=OH5gEeZenSLyIUqbTyvoWWpqM2EBbr.1

The full schedule for the Days of Awe, including Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur will be posted soon. Erev Rosh Hashanah is Wednesday, October 2, Yom Kippur and Break-the-Fast is on Saturday, October 12. We’re looking forward to an inspiring ten days!

L’shalom / All Best, Fred

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb (in residence with JCK for High Holy Days 5785/2024):

Now the Rabbinic Advisor for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL.org), Fred is also Rabbi Emeritus at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (Bethesda MD) following nearly three decades of service to that thriving community. A regular contributor to Moment magazine, national board member of the eco-religious network IPL (InterfaithPowerAndLight.org), and Past President of the Washington Board of Rabbis, he continues to write, speak, educate, motivate, and consult around the intersection of Judaism with social and environmental justice. Together with his spouse Minna Scherlinder Morse, Fred’s pride and joy and major projects are Gilad Martin (10th grade) and Sara Penina (2nd year at Spelman); they live in Washington, DC.