Outdoor Service Inspired By Annual Baltimore 'Under The Stars' Event
Congregation Beth Israel, a reform synagogue in West Hartford, is breaking with tradition this year by beginning its celebration of Rosh Hashanah with an unusual outdoor service Wednesday at 6 p.m. by the Rose Garden in Elizabeth Park.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, begins at sundown Wednesday.
"The goal is just to make it open to the public," said Senior Rabbi Michael Pincus. "We've reached out to individuals who live in this area who don't belong to a synagogue. … It's for anyone in our community."
The congregation hung a banner in West Hartford Center to promote the service.
"Rosh Hashanah is about celebrating the world," said Pincus, in his third year as senior rabbi. "There's something very powerful about being able to celebrate the world outdoors, in such a beautiful place as Elizabeth Park."
Pincus said he was inspired by a colleague, Elissa Sachs-Kohen, who began an annual outdoor Rosh Hashanah service in Baltimore a half-dozen years ago. Sachs-Kohen used to be an assistant rabbi at Beth Israel. The Baltimore service, called "Rosh Hashanah Under the Stars," now draws thousands of people, Pincus said.
He has more modest expectations for Elizabeth Park: "If I get 100 people, I'd be happy."
The hour-long service will include guitars and drums. "We're tying to make it a little more modern," Pincus said. "And we'll be blowing the shofar [ram's horn] at the service, which is not customary for the eve of Rosh Hashanah." But he didn't want people who go to this Rosh Hashanah service, and no other, to miss out on this ceremonial call announcing the new year.
The service Wednesday will be casual, Pincus said, and people attending should bring their own chairs and blankets. The forecast is for ideal weather, but in the unlikely event of rain, the service would be moved to the social hall at the synagogue at 701 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford.
The temple will have a second Wednesday evening service, at 7:30 p.m., at the synagogue, and additional services Thursday.
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Synagogue Taking Rosh Hashanah Service To Elizabeth Park Updated at :
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Tuesday, September 3, 2013
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