The High Holy Days are more than the days from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. As Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway reminds us, the season begins with Elul and continues through Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah:
“The High Holy Days actually begin at the beginning of the month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah. The entire period is called ‘HeChag, The Festival Par Excellence.’ Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret are a continuation of these High Holidays, rounding out the Festival season. And, finally, Simchat Torah is an exclamation point in the middle of the festivities where we end the Torah and begin again. Truly a time of great joy.”
As we look back on High Holy Days 5787, we invite you to revisit the prayers, learning, music, social action, celebrations, and moments that made this season so special at Congregation B’nai Israel. From Elul through Simchat Torah, this was a season of reflection, renewal, connection, and, ultimately, great joy.
Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement,” is the holiday that marks the culmination of self-reflection with rituals of fasting, repenting, and asking for forgiveness. CBI’s Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway, Senior Associate Rabbi Erica Rosenkranz, Senior Cantor David Muchnick, and Rabbi Emeritus Robert A. Silvers presided over Yom Kippur Services.
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All photos by Laura Petrella.
Watch Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway’s Reflection on the 25th Anniversary of September 11th.
🎥 Watch time: 8:57
Watch Senior Associate Rabbi Erica Rosenkranz’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon.
🎥 Watch time: 12:01
Watch Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway’s Rosh Hashanah Sermon.
🎥 Watch time: 20:31
Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway invited CBI Members and Community Guests to share in the joy of the Tekiah Gedolah.
🎥 Watch time: 0:58
Watch Interim Senior Rabbi Cy Stanway’s Kol Nidre Sermon.
🎥 Watch time: 20:23
Watch Senior Associate Rabbi Erica Rosenkranz’s Yom Kippur Sermon.
🎥 Watch time: 14:21
Watch Senior Cantor David Muchnick sing the Shehechiyanu.
🎥 Watch time: 3:06
Watch Senior Cantor David Muchnick sing Avinu Malkeinu.
🎥 Watch time: 3:13
Watch Senior Cantor David Muchnick and SLJ Alumna Tali Avivi sing B’rosh Hashanah.
🎥 Watch time: 4:04
Watch Senior Cantor David Muchnick sing L’Dor V’Dor.
🎥 Watch time: 2:13
Congregation B’nai Israel’s BISY (B’nai Israel Senior Youth) youth group led a teen Rosh Hashanah Second Day Service in CBI’s chapel. CBI’s Senior Associate Rabbi Erica Rosenkranz and Cantor David Muchnick presided over the event, and Cantor Muchnick and Sarah Kaminer both accompanied on piano.
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All photos by Samantha Tankoos.
Congregation B’nai Israel’s School for Living Judaism (SLJ) enjoyed a meaningful Reverse Tashlich experience as SLJ families, with enrolled Pre-K students and children in K – 4th grade, welcomed the New Year together by putting Jewish values into action. The day began with a family-friendly Rosh Hashanah service led by Senior Associate Rabbi Erica Rosenkranz, followed by lunch together at the synagogue. The group then boarded a bus to the beach, where they took part in a community cleanup, transforming the tradition of Tashlich into an act of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). The “beach clean” was a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate the holiday, build community, and make a positive impact at the start of the New Year.
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All photos by Samantha Tankoos.
Our youngest members welcomed the Jewish New Year with special High Holy Days experiences at the Nadel Center for Early Childhood Education (NCECE). Through child-friendly services, holiday traditions, and opportunities to learn together, our NCECE community celebrated the spirit of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
As Congregation B’nai Israel Members arrived for Yom Kippur Services, they generously brought donations of non-perishable food for those in need. CBI’s Kantor Family Center for Justice collected the food staples and donated them to the Jacobson Family Food Pantry, CROS Ministries, and Boca Helping Hands.
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All photos by Laura Petrella.
CBI Brotherhood helped prepare for Sukkot by building the synagogue’s sukkah, creating a welcoming space for the congregation to gather and celebrate the festival.
All photos by Laura Petrella.
Our NCECE children added their own creative touch to the sukkah with festive decorations, helping bring the traditions of Sukkot to life.
CBI Brotherhood celebrated Sukkot with Bourbon Bros ‘n’ Friends, bringing members together for an evening of fellowship and holiday festivities.
All photos by Laura Petrella.
Simchat Torah brought the High Holy Days season to a joyful close as our community celebrated the Torah, danced, and marked the completion of one annual reading cycle and the beginning of another. It was a festive finale to a season filled with reflection, tradition, and celebration.
Photos by Laura Petrella and Samantha Tankoos.
