No Cost Community Rosh Hashanah Service In Brookfield

Press release from the Brookfield Jewish Community Center:

September 14 2020

Brookfield, WI - Rabbi Levi Brook, of Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield of Brookfield, Wisconisin, knows that to engage the members of the community, one often needs to lower the barriers of entry, sometimes beyond the institutional walls of the synagogue.

To accommodate all who would otherwise not participate in formal indoor Rosh Hashanah prayer services (albeit with masks and social distancing), the rabbi is promoting a brief, outdoor, Rosh Hashanah ceremony that includes two primary observances of the holiday.

The “Family Shofar Service” will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2020, from 1:00 p.m to 1:30 p.m., at their New Facility at 1275 N. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI.

The sounding of the shofar is the central mitzvah (observance) of Rosh Hashanah. Typically, it is part of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services, however, the shofar sounding can be fulfilled anywhere, throughout the day of Rosh Hashanah. The sounds of the shofar contain many deep and inspiring messages; one of which is a trumpet announcing the Jewish New Year, and another is like an alarm clock reminding us to wake up and accomplish more this year then in the past.

Tashlich is a practice rich in symbolic and mystical meaning. A brief prayer is recited near a body of water; in which we express our prayerful hope that Gd cast our indiscretions as if into the depths of the water, and that we be granted a good and sweet new year filled with blessing.

"According to Jewish tradition the gates of heaven are open more than ever on the New Year, and Gd accepts prayers from everyone wherever they may be and in any language that they prefer," said Rabbi Brook. “That served as our inspiration to create Rosh Hashanah opportunities for everyone in the community."

“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews” Rabbi Brook explained. “During the High Holiday period, especially during this challenging time of Covid-19, accessibility can mean different things to different people. For some it means a prayer book delivery at home and a Zoom class before the holiday teaching about Rosh Hashana, for some it means shorter, more user-friendly services, for others it means a nonjudgmental atmosphere, while for still others accessibility means affordability, and no expectation of membership or affiliation. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashanah”.

Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sundown on Friday, September 18 and extends until nightfall on Sunday, September 20.
For more information contact Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield at (262) 563-9770 or visit www.JewishWaukesha.com.

Event Recap:
Who: Open to all
What: Community Rosh Hashanah Service
Where: Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield; 1275 N. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI
When: September 20, 2020. 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
RSVP: JewishWaukesha.com

About Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is observed this year beginning at sundown on September 18 through nightfall on September 20. This two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday.

About the Sponsoring Organization
Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Chabad of Waukesha-Brookfield at (262)563-9770; email: Rabbi@JewishWaukesha.com or visit www.JewishWaukesha.com.

This press release was produced by the Brookfield Jewish Community Center. The views expressed here are the author’s own.