High Holy Days Service Times for 5785 (2024)

High Holy Day services at Beth Israel are led by Cantor Leon Litvack, and are open to all. Tickets are not required. If you would like to become a member, or make a donation in support of the congregation, please click here. Thank you!

Erev Yom Kippur: Kol Nidrei – Friday, October 11th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Yom Kippur morning service inc. Yizkor – Saturday, October 12th from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Memorial plaque dedication after services. The Board has decided that
a prayer for Israel will be offered before the Torah service at approx. 10:15 a.m. If you prefer to come afterwards to enjoy the rest of the service, you are most welcome.

     Beth Israel Children’s Circle: 10am-noon, including story time, paint love rocks and create decorations for community break-the-fast

Yom Kippur afternoon – Discussion on Jewish attitudes to organ donation, led by Cantor Leon Litvack and Dr Dan Houpt (4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Ne’ilah 4:30 – 7:15 p.m., followed by community potluck breaking of the fast

Community potluck Breaking of the Fast: Following Services, we will gather for a communal meal. RSVP (appreciated!) here.

October 7th Memorial Event

Friends of Israel invite all who share our grief to gather in honour of the hostages who remain in captivity and participate in sharing readings, reflections, poems and songs on Monday, October 7th at 7pm. Please click here to RSVP; confirmation of the location will be sent to those who register. We look forward to gathering with you to observe this difficult anniversary together.

Beth Israel Membership for 5785: Renew! Apply!

Enquiring minds want to know: Where is my Membership Renewal Letter? How much are my Dues? Membership renewal notices will go out via email presently. To APPLY for or RENEW your membership for the 2024-25 year, please complete the complete this form. If renewing and none of your information has changed and you just want to send in your dues, please see the membership dues form and remit payment by Thursday, October 31st to remain a member in good standing. Information on how to pay is conveniently included via all of the links above. 

Thank you for being part of Beth Israel Congregation!

Beth Israel Book Club: RSVP for Your Copy
The Beth Israel Book Club launches with The Art of Leaving: a memoir by Israeli-Canadian author Ayelet Tsabari, meeting Thursday, November 7th, 6:30-8pm. Thanks to the Library, we have 10 hard copies of the book. To reserve yours (first come, first served). RSVP here (for pick up at the Breaking of the Fast, Saturday, October 12th). Digital and paper copies available at the Peterborough Public Library. 

Community Potluck Breaking of the Fast RSVP

Please join us for the wonderful annual Beth Israel Community Breaking of the Fast Potluck on Saturday, October 12 after services (around 7 pm). This is a kosher-style (vegetarian and fish) meal. All are welcome. Everyone is asked to please bring their dish Ready to Serve, with a list of all the ingredients. Please click here to RSVP. We are also looking for a handful of people to  help set up for approx 1 hour on Thursday, Oct 10th, and/or clean up following the meal. 

As a Beth Israel member you are considered to be very special.  Find out more:

Why wait until September to become – or renew – your Membership in Beth Israel Congregation? All of the programming, communications, beautiful space, religious leadership, holocaust and anti-semitism education, community outreach, and security that Beth Israel provides as an expression of our vibrant, growing unique regional Jewish community are made possible by members. Members also get special rates for booking space at the shul, and a discount on community cemetery plots? For more information or to apply for membership in Beth Israel Congregation, click here (beta). Join now and receive an invitation to a special members-only conversation about our community on September 5.

Beth Israel News Prize

How do I get a Beth Israel News Prize?

To be eligible for a Prize, all you need to do is submit something to the Beth Israel News. For Editorial Guidelines on what we do (and don’t) publish, click here. Your item can be big or small, one time or every week; it can be notice of a typo, words of thanks, or beyond. Every time someone sends in a contribution, their name is entered to win. Once a month (or so), we will draw a name at random, and pick a – perhaps equally random prize.  

Mazel tov, Eitan! You are the winner of the Beth Israel News for this month. Your prize is a bag of Munchos (chips, donated to Beth Israel by a kind member, excited about the Ladino nature of their name). To be eligible for a Prize, all you need to do is submit something to the Beth Israel News. For Editorial Guidelines on what we do (and don’t) publish, click here. Your item can be big or small, it can be notice of a typo, words of thanks, or beyond. Once a month (or so), we will draw a name and award a prize. 

Seeking Assistant Gabbai (Volunteer)

The search is on for someone to assist Ron Molnar and Cantor Leon Litvack in ensuring the smooth running of the High Holy Days and other religious services, with a view (eventually) to succeeding Ron as Gabbai (. Basic facility in Hebrew and some familiarity with the prayer book

(siddur/mahzor) are absolute requirements. Please send a statement at your earliest convenience, outlining your interest and experience – or any questions – please email Ron gabbai@jccpeterborough.com.