The Jewish High Holidays, or High Holy Days, are considered the most special and holy time of the year.  They begin this year with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starting at sundown on September 20 and end ten days later on September 30 with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  The month leading up to this 10-day period of repentance is a time for introspection and preparation. Selichot (penitential) prayers and poems are read and often written during this period.  The Saturday that occurs during the 10 days of repentance, Shabbat Shuvah is considered a particularly solemn Sabbath, focusing on a “returning to G-d”.

(Pictured above): The shofar (rams horn) is blown during High Holiday Services and in the month leading up to this holy time of the year.

While there is no formal temple or synagogue in Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa or Tuolumne counties, the Mother Lode Jewish Community (MLJC) will be conducting both a Leil Selichot service and a Shabbat Shuvah service.

The Selichot gathering will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16^th, in Columbia.  Our members will begin the High Holiday season together by doing a brief Havdalah, enjoying a dairy and pareve potluck together and then observing Selichot with an evening service led by Rabbi Andra Greenwald. 

Then on Saturday, September 23^rd, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., members will gather in Murphys for a member-led Shabbat Shuvah service.  This is also a pot-luck affair.