 For a general description of the Jewish holidays and their meanings, go to ou.org. The following is a description of the celebration of the holidays at Kehillat Shaarei Torah. ROSH HASHANA On both the first evening and second evening of Rosh Hashana we have one service in the main sanctuary that is open to all, both members and ticket holders. On the mornings of Rosh Hashana, we begin the services with one service in the main sanctuary and upon the conclusion of the morning service, before the Torah reading, we have an opportunity to begin the service in the Social Hall. We would love to accommodate everyone in the main sanctuary, however, with the Torah reading, especially in the women's section, there are simply not enough seats for all the members and the ticket holders. The service in the main sanctuary on Rosh Hashana is led by Pesach Goldman, a young and energetic chazzan. Pesach is not from the school of more operatic chazzanim but rather leads the services with the traditional melodies, interspersed with both heartful and lively tunes. The Chazzan is accompanied by a choir beginning with the Torah service, through the end of Mussaf. The quality of the services are of the highest order, both enjoyable and uplifting. The Rabbi delivers the sermon and blows the shofar in the main sanctuary. The service in the Social Hall on the first day of Rosh Hashana is a full, regular service including Torah reading, a sermon and a full Mussaf with a Chazzan. This service is led by Chaim Uri Sapirman as Chazzan and Dr. Elliott Malamet as spiritual leader. Chaim Uri has a wonderful command of the traditional melodies and leads the services with a sweet voice and heartful emotion. Dr. Elliott Malamet delivers the sermon and offers comments throughout the service to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the service. Dr. Malamet is a well known and seasoned educator. He teaches at Queen's University, at CHAT, the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, writes a regular column on education in the Canadian Jewish News and is a popular educator. The service on the first day of Rosh Hashana is a traditional service with educational enhancements by Dr. Malamet. The Services on the Second Day of Rosh Hashana offer a different opportunity. On the Second Day of Rosh Hashana we offer a traditional service with Chazzan and choir in the main sanctuary. In the Social Hall, Dr. Malamet leads an abbreviated service augmented with a learning service. Everyone, both members and ticket holders are welcome to attend either service - the main service in the sanctuary or the learner's service led by Dr. Malamet. In the Social Hall service there is an opportunity to hear the Torah, hear the Shofar and say the main prayers, however the main focus is on the learning service. Dr. Malamet focuses on the main themes of the day, the prayers, the shofar, learning their meanings and enhancing the spiritual substance of the day. Children's Services. In order to accommodate all of our needs, we rent 2 trailers that sit in the parking lot of the shul for our children's services. There are 3 groups of services; a nursery program, ages 6-9 and ages 10-13. The services are led by our young people and feature a prayer service, stories, games, kiddush and shofar. These services are available to all members and ticket holders. Senior's Home and Hospital Shofar Blowing. One of the emotional moments of Rosh Hashana occurs when many of our members spend the later part of the day on the second day of Rosh Hashana at the Senior's Home of North York General Hospital. At about 4:30 pm we conduct a short service with songs and with shofar blowing at the Senior's Home. Following that brief service we continue with a Mincha service at North York General Hospital, in the chapel, including shofar blowing. Then small groups proceed to visit patients and blow shofar from room to room. YOM KIPPUR The morning of Yom Kippur again features 2 services until the conclusion of Yizkor. Following Yizkor, again both services are available to both members and to ticket holders. The service in the main sanctuary is a full service led by Chazzan and choir. The Social Hall features an opportunity for an abbreviated service and then an educational program throughout the afternoon led by Dr. Elliott Malamet. For Mincha and Neila everyone joins together in the main sanctuary for one concluding service. Our Neila service is beautiful, powerful and uplifting. Children's Services. There are children's services offered for 3 groups; nursery, 6-9, 10-12. The time schedules are posted on the doors to the trailers and in the front foyer. SUKKOT The shul has a wonderful, large Sukka for the Yom Tov Kiddushes. The Sukka is available for anyone who may not have their own Sukka and who would like to use it at anytime during the holiday.
CHANUKA PURIM The Sisterhood coordinates a wonderful Mishloach Manot project. The forms and information are available from the office and must be returned to the office 3 weeks prior to Purim. This project is a combination of sending Mishloach Manot both to shul members and others and of giving Tzedaka. The Purim Seuda, the festive dinner celebration, takes place on Purim during the day, usually beginning about 5 pm. This dinner features music, great food, comical entertainment and a bit too much wine. (Reservations need to be made in advance through the shul office). PESACH Some years a second Seder has been offered at the shul, though only with sufficient response. Reservations must be made by 2 weeks before Pesach. SHAVUOT
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