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Temple Shearith Israel, Jewish Family Congregation To Share High Holy Days

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- With the Jewish New Year and High Holy Days approaching, Temple Shearith Israel  of Ridgefield and Jewish Family Congregation of South Salem are preparing for their first High Holy Days services together, with the two congregations preparing to officially unite as one in January. 

Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield will host the combined congregation of the temple and Jewish Family Congregation members starting in January.

Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield will host the combined congregation of the temple and Jewish Family Congregation members starting in January.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Services will be co-led by Rabbis Marcus Burstein and David Reiner, along with Cantor Deborah Katchko Gray, with participation of lay leaders, choir members from both congregations and guest musicians. 

“This is a very exciting time for both our temple communities,” said Gale Berman, co-president of Temple Shearith Israel, in a press release. “We are drawing on the traditions and strengths of both congregations.” 

“By uniting, we can offer a more vibrant religious, educational and social experience to our members,” adds Glenn Kurlander, co-president of Jewish Family Congregation, in a press release.

In keeping with the goal of inspiring and engaging members, the joint congregation will be using a new High Holy Days prayer book. The new prayer book was created to offer a meaningful liturgy for both regular service attendees, as well as for those new to Jewish spirituality and practice. In conjunction with the new prayer book, Gray will introduce to the congregation a new musical setting to the prayer Hayom T’am’tzeinu (“Today May You Strengthen Us”) by Noah Aronson, a popular young composer of Jewish sacred music. 

The combined congregations also are introducing a “tot” service for children 6 and younger and their families on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The tot service is open to non-members, although reservations are required. 

For more information on the High Holy Days and Shabbat services, membership or religious school, please call the temple office at (203) 438-6589.

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