Chabad expands no-cost High Holiday offerings, geared for Jewish people of all backgrounds, with a delightful experience and distinctive charm of the Farmington Polo Club.

Submitted

This year Chabad will be hosting a High Holiday experience at the beautiful Farmington Polo Club. The services are open to the entire community, so people can enjoy an atmosphere that is as physically charming as it will be spiritually warm and inviting. There is no cost to participate, however registration is required.

The services are designed to make everyone feel welcome and at home. The prayers, conducted with Hebrew/English prayer-books, are lively, engaging, and inclusive – spiced with inspiring tunes and insightful explanations throughout – allowing all to absorb the experience at their own level, regardless of background and level of observance, in a non-judgmental atmosphere. They will be hosted by Rabbi Shaya and Shayna Gopin of Farmington Chabad.

There will also be a children’s program including: Children’s Prayer, Happy Birthday to the World Celebration, and Special Children’s Entertainment with Coach Milton.

“According to Jewish tradition, the gates of Heaven are open on the New Year, and G-d accepts prayers from everyone,” said Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad, “That serves as our inspiration to keep our doors open as well to the entire community.”

Gopin continued, “The Rebbe – Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory – insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews. During the High Holidays, accessibility can translate into different factors for different people, such as a nonjudgmental atmosphere, affordability of the services or the ability for a beginner to follow along. As well as a meaningful and fun experience for children.

“Bringing the High Holidays to the Farmington Polo Club creates an inviting and comfortable environment, making it even more accessible to all. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry and encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in these most holy and introspective days.”

There are no membership fees or tickets needed for the High Holiday services, donations are much appreciated and help cover the High Holiday expenses.

Rosh Hashanah services at the Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road in Farmington, will be held Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17, beginning at 10 a.m. for all ages. The children’s program begins at 10:30 a.m. on both days.

Shofar blowing will be only on Sunday this year, at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Yom Kippur services will be held on Sunday evening, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept.  25, beginning at 10 a.m. with an evening Neilah-closing service at 5:50 p.m., followed by a Break the fast.

There will also be a “Tashlich Waterside Service & Shofar @ the River” on Sunday Sept. 17^, at 5 p.m. – at the Farmington River parking area, across Route 4 from Modern Tire, 898 Farmington Avenue, Farmington.

Chabad is known for its open doors and welcoming atmosphere, which allows anyone in the community to enjoy any program that interests them, regardless of affiliation or background. Chabad believes Judaism should be fun, joyous, and easily accessible.

People who attend Chabad’s High Holiday services hail from all different backgrounds and levels of observance. Chabad offers programs and guidance to allow you to nurture your Judaism at your own pace in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

 To register or for more information go to www.FarmingtonChabad.com.

Call 860-232-8556, or email [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

This is in addition to Holiday services being held at by Chabad at:

• Chabad of the Valley, 141 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury
• Chabad of Greater Hartford, 2352 Albany Avenue in West Hartford.
• Chabad of UHart, 100 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford
• Chabad East of the River, 25 Harris Street in Glastonbury

About Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, begins this year at sundown on Friday, Sept. 15 and continues through nightfall on September 17. Literally meaning “head of the year,” the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday. For more information about Rosh Hashanah, visit www.Chabadhartford.com/HighHolidays

About the Shofar

The shofar is the central symbol of Rosh Hashanah, which is celebrated near the beginning of each fall. Synagogues blast the shofar every day for a month leading up to the holiday, culminating with a sequence of 100 blasts during the Rosh Hashanah services, which take place this year only on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Sunday,  September 17th. Although no shofar is blown on the first day due to Shabbat. The cry of the shofar is a call to repentance as Jews look back at misdeeds of the past year and resolve to improve in the coming one. For more on the shofar, visit www.Chabadhartford.com/Shofar.

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