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Temple B'nai Chaim Returns To Georgetown Home For High Holy Days

WILTON, Conn. -- This year, Temple B'nai Chaim will hold its High Holy Days services at its synagogue in Georgetown, after celebrating for the last several years at Wilton High School.

Rabbi Rachel Bearman will lead Temple B'nai Chaim's High Holy Days services, which will be held at the synagogue in Georgetown this year.

Rabbi Rachel Bearman will lead Temple B'nai Chaim's High Holy Days services, which will be held at the synagogue in Georgetown this year.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Temple B'nai Chaim

Temple B'nai Chaim's congregation is made up of families from throughout Fairfield County, including Wilton, Weston, Westport, Ridgefield, Redding and Bethel. This year marks the first time since 2001 that TBC will hold its High Holy Days services at its recently expanded synagogue.

"We're delighted to be observing this year's High Holy Days at our physical and spiritual home," said TBC Rabbi Rachel Bearman. She will be presiding over her first High Holy Days services since joining TBC in June.

"We're also excited to be adding a new, less formal and more participatory 'contemporary' service to our traditional adult and children services," Bearman said. "These diverse worship opportunities will allow us to provide all of our members and guests with a spiritually and religiously fulfilling High Holy Day experience."

The term High Holy Days refers to the belief that the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest of the Jewish calendar. The prayers, readings and music for this period center on themes of self-reflection, repentance and beginning anew. 

Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of Sept. 24 when Jewish community sound the shofar, a ram's horn to mark the beginning of the Jewish year. Yom Kippur begins the evening of Oct. 3 and is the Day of Atonement. Many members of the Jewish faith fast on this day as a sign of their commitment to bettering themselves and moving closer to God.

TBC will hold an Erev Rosh Hashanah service on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. The following morning there will be a Rosh Hashanah Service from 9 to 11:15 a.m. and a Contemporary Service from noon to 1:30 p.m. There will also be a children's service led by Bearman from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 26 TBC will hold Rosh Hashanah Service from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and Taschlich at 12:30 p.m.

TBC will hold a Kol Nidre Service on Friday, Oct. 3, from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. There will be several services held throughout the day on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the Yizkor (memorial) and Neilah (concluding) services held the afternoon of Oct. 4, TBC will join a select group of congregations piloting the Reform Movement's new High Holy Day prayer book, "Mishkan HaNefesh" ("Sanctuary of the Spirit").

More than 200 families are expected to participate in the High Holy Day services at TBC, including current congregants and other members of the community.

Overflow parking will be held at Branchville Elementary School, 40 Florida Road, Ridgefield, with continuous bus service to the temple.

Attendees should arrive at least 25 minutes early to accommodate special parking arrangements. Some services require tickets, visit the Temple B'nai Chaim website for more information.

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