High Holiday Services Re-Imagined with Big Changes at Cranford’s Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim

Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim (TBEMC) located in Cranford, New Jersey has confirmed that there will be many new exciting changes to the format and style of the temple’s services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The arrival of Rabbi Neil Tow and Rabbi Rachel Schwartz this year in collaboration with Cantor Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo, have enabled the congregation to create fresh ideas in their approach to worship during the holy days, Shabbat and other holidays.

For children up to 7 years old, an innovative Rabbi-led “Happy Holiday” service is planned for families. The Happy Holiday services during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are complimentary and open to the community (advance registration is requested). Junior congregation for ages 8-12 will be followed by a teen-led learning activity. Both groups will celebrate the first day of Rosh Hashanah with a birthday cake to the world. Children are always welcomed at TBEMC. Babysitting for children 18 months and up is also available during the holy days.

On Yom Kippur afternoon at 3:00 pm, a new experiential learning opportunity will be offered for everyone which focuses on feeding those who are hungry and helping others through social action. Nei’lah/Ma’ariv (closing services) will begin at 5:30 pm during which all families are welcomed to the Aron Kodesh (the Ark) to say personal prayers before the Torahs as the holiday comes to a close. This custom of prayers at the Ark before the Torahs is both a long-standing tradition and a very moving part of the closing service at TBEMC. The final Shofar will be sounded at 7:10 pm. This is followed with a USY and Kadima Havdalah service that utilizes candles and glow sticks for all the children to participate in the service. Immediately following services, the Men's Club offers an elaborate break-the-fast meal for which congregants can reserve paid seats.

All high holiday services are open to the community; tickets are required. Rosh Hashanah falls on September 20 -22, 2017 and Yom Kippur on September 29 – 30, 2017. TBEMC participates in the MetroPass Program which is a collaboration between the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and area synagogues. MetroPass offers complimentary high holiday tickets to anyone new to town or new to synagogue life. Please contact our office administrator for more details including tickets, service times and additional high holiday information at 908-276-9231 or office@tbemc.org

In addition to High Holiday service changes, TBEMC’s newly renovated, accessible sanctuary will provide mobility inclusion for all ages beginning on Rosh Hashanah. Creating mobility inclusion has been long standing goal for this congregation. The completed renovation enables all congregants to approach the Bima (or Pulpit), the holy place in the same way thereby making Torah and other ritual honors accessible to everyone regardless of their physical ability. The TBEMC leadership acknowledged that there is no better time for a synagogue to become more inclusive than around the days of awe, the holiest days in the Jewish calendar.

TBEMC president Jackie Baranoff said, “TBEMC is very excited to announce the renovation of our Sanctuary that will include a Torah reading table that can accommodate those who have physical limitations enabling everyone to receive an Aliyah (honor) this high holiday season. We believe that our new design reflects the heart, mind and soul of our TBEMC community who gather to worship, pray, study and be social with us, their temple family.”

Laura Cohen, a former temple president and a key fundraiser for the accessibility renovation added, “Our building is over 50 years old, constructed at time when most buildings were not being planned for the needs of mobility challenged congregants. We need to be welcoming to all and make our building and worship space accessible. I am so excited to be a part of this project to build a welcoming and accessible sanctuary.”

Aaron Cohen, also a former temple president and long-time congregant indicated how the accessibility changes will make an enormous difference for him. He said, “During the high holy days I will take an aliya (honor) in the sanctuary for the first time in many years. Maybe I’ll ask for the first one. I will ride my scooter up to the reading table; I will stand if I am able, and recite the blessings. My prayers during the day will not be interrupted with worry about how I will get up the steps for my honor. My experience as a congregant will be enhanced by my ability to fully participate. I believe I speak for many of our congregation as well.”

About TBEMC: Celebrating 100 years, Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim is a conservative, egalitarian synagogue in Cranford, New Jersey serving Union County and beyond. TBEMC welcomes singles, couples, families, interfaith families and anyone exploring Judaism. For more information, please contact the Temple Administrator at (908) 276-9231 or office@tbemc.org. Website: www.tbemc.org. Follow us on Facebook.