Jewish tradition gives us this month as a period of preparation for entering into the High Holidays with awareness and motivation. To engage all of our senses in this process of restoration, TIP is offering a series of events throughout the month of Elul to nourish body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Thank you for your interest in our upcoming Elul events.
Saturday, September 9, 8:00 pm
Join us for an outdoor Havdalah service (weather permitting) followed by a creative ritual of release focused on the year that is passing. We will enjoy some treats, followed by a traditional Selichot service at 9:00 pm in the sanctuary with familiar and contemporary high holiday prayers, chants, and melodies.
As we approach the High Holidays, we honor our departed loved ones with prayers and private reflection. No registration required.
Sunday, September 10, 11:00 am
Temple Israel Cemetery, Banfield Road, Portsmouth
Led by Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman
Sunday, September 10, 12:30 pm
Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover
Led by Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman
Sunday, September 10, 1:30 pm
Forest Glade Cemetery, Somersworth
Led by Cathi Cherry-Liston and our Rabbinic Intern Reb Jacob Chatinover
Friday, August 18, 6:30pm
Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth
Join us for our outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Strawbery Banke led by Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman. This month we will take time to welcome the new month of Elul with prayers, blessings, and fellowship.
Bring a dairy / pareve / vegetarian picnic dinner and your own lawn chair. Services will be live streamed on the TIP Facebook page. In case of inclement weather, services will be held in the sanctuary and accessible via the usual Zoom link.
Sunday, August 27, 12:00–3:00 pm
Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth (rain location: Temple Israel)
A celebration of Jewish community for the whole family! featuring live music, games, prizes, tours of Shapiro House and more.
Thursday, August 31, 7 pm
As we move through Elul, the last month of the year, our tradition invites us to undertake a spiritual reckoning of our behavior and attitudes as preparation for entering the new year. This spiritual work is known as cheshbon hanefesh- an accounting of the soul, and it begins the process of teshuvah-repentance, which is the hallmark of the High Holidays.
Our evening will begin with some gentle yoga to soften, stretch and relax. We will then explore several Mussar texts addressing our attitudes and behavior. We will reflect on these texts in small group discussions and spend some contemplative time in journal writing.
This gathering will hopefully help us to engage more fully in the transformative potential of the High Holidays. All are welcome.
Temple Israel Stands with Israel.