Erev Rosh Hashanah Service and Reception

22 Sep @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

“In a place where no one is human, strive to be human.” – Pirkei Avot 2:5

This High Holy Days season, we come together to reflect, renew, and return to what matters most — our shared humanity. During this time of year, we are called to take personal responsibility to show moral courage, and to bring our Jewish values to counter injustice in our community, our nation and the world.

Join us at Congregation Achduth Vesholom as we enter the sacred days of awe, guided by the wisdom of our tradition and the warmth of community. Together, we’ll open our hearts, lift our voices, and strive to be more compassionate, just, and whole.

Please join us when we welcome the New Year 5786, with both Reform and Conservative minyanim worshiping together as one congregation, on Erev Rosh Hashanah on Monday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrate with us in person or via livestream throughout the Days of Awe. Find the full holiday schedule

Our annual New Year’s Reception will follow the Erev Rosh Hashanah service, providng an opportunity for our Temple family to share good wishes and enjoy a delicious nosh. Thank you to Dawn Hammond and Sheryl Merritt for chairing.

Rabbi Meir Bargeron will lead the services, weaving together aspects of both liturgical traditions to inspire new insights during this time of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal. He’ll be joined by Hazzan Penny Myers, who will lead Conservative worship on the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement.

New this year: Join Rabbi Meir and Hazzan Myers for a joyful and spirited Joy Vey Rosh Hashanah Service on Tuesday, September 23 at 4 p.m. Through music, movement, and meaningful prayer, we will welcome the New Year 5786 with heart and celebration. Perfect for families with young children — come sing, sway, and start the new year in sweetness together!

Returning this year: A Yom Kippur afternoon healing service with Rabbi Meir to provide comfort and support in sacred community.

Maestro Robert Nance will join us throughout the holidays for evening and Reform services.

Let this be the year we strive — together — to be our most human selves.

SWEETS, TREATS, AND MORE NEEDED

Please volunteer to help and to bake for the Rosh Hashanah Reception following our service on Monday, September 22. Baked goods are needed at the Temple no later than Friday, September 19. Items may be put in the freezer, but please mark them for the reception including your name.

Volunteers are needed to help set up and clean up. Please contact the Temple office to offer your assistance at (260) 744-4245 or office@templecav.org. Thank you to Dawn Hammond and Sheryl Merritt for chairing the reception!

SUPPORT THE TEMPLE WITH HIGH HOLY DAYS DONATION

As we prepare to start the New Year, it’s tradition to make a donation to the Temple to help support our year-round efforts to ensure a Jewish presence in Northeast Indiana.

Please consider being a “sponsor” of Achduth Vesholom’s High Holy Days 5786. Your generous gift will be used for needs during the holidays and beyond, from replenishing the floral fund to assisting with security, music, technology, and congregational events.

Sponsors who donate $180 or more by Thursday, September 11 will be recognized in our holiday announcements.

Jewish tradition encourages making tzedakah (charitable gifts) in multiples of 18, which is spelled chai and also means “life.” Donations offered in any amount will be greatly appreciated.

We’re proud to be one congregation with two worship traditions. Whether your customary gift is through sponsoring aliyot during Conservative services or your annual donation contributes to other congregational needs, we value and appreciate your assistance.

We have several ways to give:

Donate online and choose “High Holy Days” on the dropdown menu. Please indicate if your gift is “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person, or celebrates an occasion.
For aliyot during our Conservative service, please contact Josh Tourkow at jtourkow@tcrjlaw.com. (To donate online, choose “High Holy Days – Aliyot” on the dropdown menu and indicate if your gift is “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special person, or celebrates an occasion.)
Send a check payable to “CAV- The Temple” to sponsor the High Holy Days (5200 Old Mill Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46807).

SUPPORT HIGH HOLY DAYS FOOD DRIVE WITH THANKSGIVING ITEMS

This year for the High Holy Days, we’re asking you to help those who need food assistance get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Wellspring Interfaith Social Services, which counts the Temple among its congregational faith partners, will provide all the fixings their clients need to enjoy a delicious holiday meal. And we can help!

Please take a paper grocery bag from the lobby on Rosh Hashanah and return it on Yom Kippur with the following items in cans or boxes:

Mashed potatoes

Stuffing

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cranberry sauce

Green Beans

Canned Pumpkin

Cake Mix & Frosting

Au Gratin Potatoes

Turkey gravy

French Fried Onions

If shopping is not your thing, we accept checks! Write a check to “Wellspring Interfaith Social Services” for any amount you can donate, get it to Temple, and we will take all checks to Wellspring.

You can always make a direct donation at www.wellspringinterfaith.org.

Fill yourself with the holiday spirit and give what you can!

Thank you from the Social Action Committee!