Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick observes the holidays of the Jewish calendar with services, celebrations, and opportunities to come together throughout the year to share in the traditions, to learn together, participate in social action activities, and to grow closer as individuals, families, and community members.
Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick is proud to offer our 20th season of High Holiday religious programming, and our first with Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
The High Holidays are a time in our lives when we typically reflect on the previous year, while making resolutions for the year ahead. 5782 has been challenging and different in many ways.
This year, our High Holiday services will be in person and online (via the Kol Ami Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kolamifrederick). We need spirituality, we need to connect and engage, and we need to be together safely.
The Jewish High Holidays are the most important time of year. Each Fall, we gather in community to reflect upon the year that has passed and consider how we might better ourselves and our community in the year to come. We look forward to closing out the year together as a community with a spirit of reflection and connectedness to help propel us into a 5783 filled with health, hope, and happiness.
Feel free to email highholidays@kolamifrederick.org with any questions.
Schedule of High Holiday Services 5783/2022
Rosh Hashanah Services
Yom Kippur Services
The fees for non-members and guests include all High Holiday services:
All services will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, and streamed on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kolamifrederick). Masks are not required, but encouraged.
A lot of work goes into making sure everyone has a meaningful experience during the High Holy Days. Please sign-up to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48ADAE2FABF58-2021. There are roles for everyone.
Yizkor Book
In memory of those no longer with us, a Yizkor book will be read during the Yizkor Service on Yom Kippur. This will include only the names submitted by members on their membership applications. No later than September 11th, additional names may be added online. Please be sure to include the name of and relationship to the congregant, and a minimum contribution of $18.
Please note: after registering online, you will receive a confirmation email right away. If you do not receive a confirmation email right away, your registration was not complete. If you have any problems filling out the online form, please email webmaster@kolamifrederick.org.
Mitzvot
Members are encouraged to perform the traditional mitzvah of tzedakah for the High Holidays.
Sukkot: The Fall Harvest Festival
Sukkot, meaning “booths” is celebrated on the heels of Yom Kippur and commemorates the forty years of Jewish wandering in the desert. We build a sukkah, a temporary dwelling shelter, wherein we enjoy a festive meal with family and friends.
Simchat Torah: The Joy of Torah
Simchat Torah is a lively celebration in honor of our most sacred text, the Torah. At Congregation Kol Ami, our Religious School students and parents celebrate the day by gathering together at Religious School to learn, dance, and sing in honor of the Torah and its teachings.
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is a prominent Jewish holiday that is celebrated each winter. It is an eight-night celebration that honors the heroic victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Hanukkah is a festive time with the lighting of menorahs and good food celebrated as a community at one of our Shabbat services.
Purim: A Celebration of Jewish Survival
Purim is like Halloween and Mardi Gras all rolled into one, but with a Jewish twist. The holiday commemorates the heroine Esther who concealed her identity as a Jew to save the Jews of Persia long ago. We read from the Scroll of Esther and dress in costumes during a Shabbat service to celebrate this holiday. Fun for the whole family.
Passover: From Slavery to Freedom
Passover is the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday throughout the world. The Passover holiday celebrates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt and eventual freedom in the Promised Land. Each year, we gather as a community on the second night of Passover for a seder – a ritual meal and retelling of the story of our people’s journey. At the conclusion of the week-long celebration, it has become a tradition in our community to gather with friends of other faith communities for an interfaith Passover seder.
