New Rabbi Brings Excitement for Jewish Holidays

As we draw closer to the Jewish Holy Days, Rabbi Michael Sternfield, the new Rabbi in Manatee County has announced some exciting new events for this year. There has been heightened excitement among the community. For the first time ever, there will be a special Rosh Hashanah children/family service “out east”. It is called ‘A Rosh Hashanah Family Experience’ rather than a ‘service’. Rabbi Michael states that it will be a brief and energetic program lasting only 45 minutes. “We will be having lively music with contemporary tunes and instruments. As well as the traditional sounding of the Shofar.” There will be a reception following the event with apples and honey for everyone. This is a free event and open to the public. It will be held at the Realtor Association Building, 10920 Technology Terrace in Lakewood Ranch on Monday, October 3rd at 3:00 pm.

Additionally, Temple Beth El, will welcome one hundred students from Hershorin Schiff Community Day School f/k/a ‘The Goldie Feldman Academy’ on Tuesday October 4th, the second day of Rosh Hashanah. The children will participate in an educational program led by Rabbi Sternfield with assistance from Ba’al Tokea Ryan Hoffman and community-wide Shiliach, Oded Israely. Students will learn the significance of the customs and traditions of the high holy days as practiced by Jews all over the world. The Community Day School, located in Sarasota is an inclusive, pluralistic Jewish day school that proudly celebrates students of all faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities. The school welcomes families from over 20 countries with 55% identifying as Jewish and 45% practicing a variety of other faiths. The school’s mission, deeply embedded with Jewish values and traditions, is to “impact the world by creating a community where children of all faiths demonstrate integrity (tzedek), academic excellence (limud) and a desire to improve the world (tikkun olam).”

The Traditional High Holiday Services will all be held with no charge or tickets needed, in the beautiful 400 seat sanctuary behind Temple Beth El, 4200 32nd St W. in Bradenton. People of all faiths are welcome and donations are greatly appreciated. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, October 2nd, 7:30 pm, Rosh Hashanah Morning Service, Monday, October 3rd, 10:00 am, with a lite lunch to follow, Kol Nidre will be on Tuesday, October 11th at 7:30 pm, with Michael McCleland on Viola and Yom Kippur Morning Service, including Yizkor is Wednesday, October 12th at 10:00 am. Yom Kippur Afternoon and Torah Service will begin at 3:00 pm, followed by Yom Kippur Meditative Musica a prelude to Neilah - featuring Soloist, Deborah Suta, Cantor Emirates Alan Cohn & special musical guests at 4:30 pm concluding with Neilah & Havdalah Service. The ‘BREAK- THE- FAST’ meal will be at IMG Country Club - reservations required. For more information on any other services or activities, contact Temple Beth El 941-755-4900.