Dear Friends,
On behalf of Jacky, Ellyn, Marc, Dovey, and Graeme, I wanted to update you on two important aspects of the High Holiday planning.
1. Physical space issues: I am thrilled to inform you that we have a confirmed 165-170 people joining us for both R”H and Y”K. This number reflects the number of people who have requested seats. (This does not include children – unless a seat was purchased on their behalf.) The breakdown is roughly 95 men, and 75 women for each of the High Holidays.
Scott Friedman, Craig Schottenstein and I set up chairs in the DAT multi-purpose room this week and confirmed we can seat a maximum of 110 in the men’s section and a maximum of 83 in the women’s section.
The High Holiday committee met earlier this week to discuss our physical space issues given the above numbers and tent logistics. After much discussion, we decided to plan to have our services in the DAT multi-purpose room.
The decision to NOT rent a tent was based on several key factors. One factor was the financial reality of setting up an all-inclusive tent. Estimates were in the range of $20,000 for a temporary structure to be used over a 2-week period. Other factors included concerns for traffic noise (the tent would have been on the basketball court next to Alameda Avenue), acoustics, and climate-related factors.
I will be meeting with Cheryl and Aaron Segall this coming week to discuss ways to enhance the multi-purpose room for our High Holiday services. I will also be meeting with Fran Heller and Steve Hutt to discuss plans for assigning seating for the High Holidays.
While we recognize that the multi-purpose room will be crowded, we believe that remaining in our “Makom Kavua” will enable us to have the most inspiring services over the coming High Holidays.
2. Adult Enrichment Program: There will be two components of the Adult Enrichment Program. Both aspects of the Adult Enrichment Program will be open to anyone who has purchased seats for the main minyan.
The first component is a Beginners Service based on a curriculum devised by the National Jewish Outreach Program. Rabbi Cohen will lead this service. Aliza Bulow and Ellyn Hutt will be helping Rabbi Cohen with various aspects of this service. It will be held each of the High Holiday mornings from approximately 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM. This service will be held in one of the DAT classrooms.
The second component of the Adult Enrichment Program is the educational curriculum of classes being coordinated by Ellyn. These classes will be scheduled to run after the Beginners Service has concluded. Rabbi Leban, Aliza, and Ellyn are each going to be giving classes on various themes pertinent to the High Holidays. More specific details of this curriculum will be forthcoming.
Please join me in expressing sincere gratitude to Rabbi Cohen, Rabbi Leban, Aliza, and Ellyn for their efforts in these programs. We hope that these enrichment opportunities help to enhance the High Holiday spiritual experience for many people.
If anyone has any questions, suggestions, or comments about these items, or any other High Holiday-related matter, please feel free to call me at 303 667 6597.
Shabbat Shalom.
Aryeh
