We Welcome the New Year With Virtual High Holiday Obervances
We celebrated High Holidays 2020 in virtual, online Zoom services on Sept. 19, 27 and 28, 2020. At times, over 40 members, friends and guests some from California, Washington state, Tennessee and Bermuda, participated. Portions were pre-recorded but most of the ritual was live. Former President Norman Berman served as “host” and curated the prayers and readings. Participants read, sang and followed along with a customized online prayer book. Joel Rosenberg blew the Shofar. Alan Turner and Peter Granoff read the Torah portions and Marty Drobiarz led traditional elements of the services. The Aliyot were awarded in a virtual auction a few days prior to Rosh Hashanah which brought back fond memories and kept alive a time-honored tradition that goes back to the original founders of the Temple. These innovative services included contemporary poetry, prayers and recordings by Leonard Cohen, Daniel Kahn, Phil Ochs and Metalica, as well as nationally acclaimed cantors and choirs. The services received enthusiastic reviews from many who attended.
