Return is our invitation to you to prepare for the High Holidays with the OFJCC community and Bina: The Jewish Movement for Social Change. Yom Kippur is an opportunity in the Jewish year to take a break—not only from eating, of course, but also from the regular rhythms of your life. The self-reflection that occurs on Yom Kippur is meant to set the tone for the upcoming year. What can you learn from the year that just passed? What are your aspirations for the year ahead?

These kinds of questions cannot be answered in just one day, and so Jewish tradition offers ten days for contemplation. Within this ten-day period, there is only one Shabbat, and so this special Shabbat takes on extra importance. It is called "Shabbat Shuva"—The Shabbat of Return. 

Join us on Saturday, October 5 for a Shabbat experience in anticipation of Yom Kippur. We will offer singing, meditation, learning and movement. These classes and gatherings are intended to help us turn inward, turn toward each other and re-turn to the spirit of Yom Kippur. 

Schedule:
For more information about the breakout sessions, please click here.

4:00–4:30 PM: Opening Gathering
Communal welcome with singing and stories
Led by Zack Bodner, Tova Birnbaum, Matt Ponak

4:45–6:00 PM: Breakout Session #1
You will be able to choose from one of the following sessions:

• Matt Ponak—Sacred Singing Circle

• Julie Emden—T'shuva Movement and Dance

• Barbara Gottesman—Mussar and a Study on Forgiveness

• Tova Birnbaum—Text Study in Hebrew: "Kol Nidre"

6:00–6:45 PM: Eating Together

7:00–8:15 PM: Breakout Session #2
You will be able to choose from one of the following sessions:

• Julie Emden—Yoga for Yom Kippur

• Daniel Libenson—Tidy Up Your Life on Yom Kippur: Making Marie Kondo Jewish

• Ariel Resnikoff—Yom Kippur Poetry: Creative Reading and Writing

• Zoe Jick—Text Study in English: "Jonah, Son of Truth"

8:30–9:00 PM: Havdallah and Closing Gathering
Havdallah, singing and a final return
Led by Tova Birnbaum and Matt Ponak

 

This program is designed to serve as a standalone or complement any other reflection that you may be engaging in during this season, whether it be in your synagogue, your broader community or with family and friends.

 

Saturday, October 5
4:00 PM–9:00 PM
Room E-104
$36
Contact: Zoe Jick | (650) 223-8756 | [email protected]

 

In partnership with BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change.

For more information about the OFJCC-BINA partnership, click here.