New Groundbreaking Jewish High Holiday Prayer Book Presentation, July 29, 2015

Temple B’nai Chaim (TBC) will host a special discussion on the Reform Movement’s new, groundbreaking High Holy Days prayer book at 7:30 PM on July 29th, 2015.  It will be led by Rabbi Hara Person, Senior Editor of the new prayer book and Publisher and Director of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Press.  This event is open to all.

The new Reform prayer book, Mishkan HaNefesh (“Sanctuary of the Soul”), includes updated translations, thoughtful essays, rich commentary, and a beautiful selection of poetry by authors such as Pablo Neruda, Langston Hughes and Henry David Thoreau integrated with traditional prayers. There are for the first time gender-neutral blessings, and the word "couple" replaces the traditional "bride and groom" to acknowledge same-sex unions. The prayer book's goal is to provide an environment for those of all backgrounds to find meaning in the High Holy Days.

The Prayer Book has been piloted in 300 congregations around the country.  After piloting it at services last year, TBC leadership and congregants are enthusiastically looking forward to using Mishkan HaNefesh for all of their upcoming High Holy Day services. 

The Jewish High Holy Days, called Rosh HaShanah (New Year), and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), are the most sacred days of the Jewish calendar.  While the New Year is a time for rejoicing, the entire period, which culminates in the Day of Atonement, are a period of deep personal reflection, individual repentance, and communal confession.

Says Rabbi Bearman, who recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as Temple B’nai Chaim’s new rabbi, “I am thrilled that Rabbi Person will share her insight and expertise with us as she helps us explore our new machzor.  Mishkan HaNefesh is a beautiful, moving, and spiritual prayer book, and it will enrich our High Holy Day services for years to come!"

For more information, please contact Temple B'nai Chaim at tbc@templebnaichaim.org or call (203) 544-8695.

About Temple B’nai Chaim:  Temple B’nai Chaim is located 82 Portland Avenue, Georgetown, CT, and includes families from the Fairfield County towns of Wilton, Ridgefield, Weston, Easton, Danbury, Redding, Westport and beyond.  Rabbi Rachel Bearman is our spiritual leader and Jon Sobel our cantor. For more than 30 years, Temple B’nai Chaim has welcomed and connected diverse individuals into a warm and inclusive congregation.  We are a vibrant synagogue, dedicated to sustaining a strong, Jewish community and fulfilling our members’ spiritual and social needs, encouraging the principles of Reform Judaism, and championing social justice.  Our religious school extends from pre-K to 10th grade and makes a special effort to accommodate children with different learning styles and diverse family and cultural backgrounds.  For more information, go to http://templebnaichaim.org/ or call (203) 544-8695.

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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