Jews gear up for High Holy Days

     By Tiffannie Bond
     View staff writer
      September may mark the end of summer to most people in Las Vegas, but for those celebrating the High Holy Days, the year is just beginning.
      High Holy Days are celebrated by Jews throughout the month, and the celebrations include Selichot, Rosh Hashana, Tashlich, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
      The most widely known and recognized of these holidays are Rosh Hashana, on Sept. 11, and Yom Kippur, on Sept. 20, and the days in between.
      These holidays mark the end of the year where Jews ask God to forgive them for their sins and to grace them with a good year. Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment, marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, also known as Aseret Yemei Teshuva, where Jews not only ask for personal forgiveness from God, they ask for it from their families, friends and relatives.
      Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most serious day on the Jewish calendar. Jews are supposed to fast from sundown the night before until nightfall on Yom Kippur to remove physical distractions and concentrate on asking God for forgiveness. Many Jews will spend the bulk of Yom Kippur praying in the synagogue.
      "(During) Rosh Hashana, the gates are open," Jackie Fleektop, director of education for Congregation Ner Tamid. "(During) Yom Kippur, the gates are sealed. Your fate is sealed for the year."
      Most synagogues will have their doors open to all congregates with services tailored for them.
      Congregation Ner Tamid is offering toddler, youth and family services for most of the holidays, featuring crafts and music for children.
      Fleektop, who will also teach the toddler and youth services, said the lessons will be geared toward children's interests and attention spans while helping to build a good conscience.
      "We look at how we treat people outside the congregation," Fleektop said. "We're reminded of that during the holiday."
      Toddlers and children under the age of 5 can attend the 20- to 30-minute class "It's Good to be Good," which teaches children the art of saying they are sorry for something they have done to hurt someone else.
      "Sometimes we offend people without knowing it," Fleektop said. "We use this time to reassess (ourselves) for the year."
      The youth service is for children through fifth grade.
      "The stories are told on their level," Fleektop said. "(And) there is more music for them to sing to."
      Parents who want their school-aged children to observe Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur will need to have a pre-arranged absence approved by their child's principal, said Mary Stanley Larsen, public information specialist for the Clark County School District.
      While Ner Tamid is focusing on children, Temple Emanu-El is gearing their services toward senior citizens.
      "None of us have little children anymore," said Mae Futterman, treasurer for Temple Emanu-El. "Most of us are past 60, 65."
      Not all services for the temples will be at the traditional places of worship. Many congregations are opting for larger venues in which to house their services.
      Since the Midbar Kodesh Temple doesn't have permanent facilities, it will stage its Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and other High Holy Day services at Greenspun Junior High School and Sam's Town, said Eileen Goldman, temple administrator for Midbar Kodesh. The temple's new facility will be in Green Valley Ranch and will not be ready until December.
      At the Midbar Kodesh Temple, non-members can expect to pay $150 for the services to cover costs of the rented facilities. Tickets for the services are free to members, who can purchase tickets for visiting friends and relatives at a discounted price. However, college students and those ages 18 to 25 receive a free membership with High Holy Day tickets included.
      Rabbi Simon Bergman of Beth El Congregation said he believes the congregations should be affordable and community-oriented. His congregation will charge $100 for membership through Dec. 31, which includes High Holy Day tickets. After Dec. 31, a special rate will be assessed for members who decide to stay with the congregation. Beth El Congregation services will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the High Holy Days.
      "Even though we are a Henderson synagogue, (the Las Vegas Convention Center) is a centralized location," Bergman said. "They (also) have handicapped parking and elevators."
      Tickets are not required for all High Holy Day services.
      Lev Ha Shem Messianic Congregation will not require tickets for their services for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Barry Greenfield, president of the congregation, said Messianic temples don't believe in charging for membership or the High Holy Day services.
      "We don't believe anyone should have to pay," Greenfield said. "We never have. Never will."
      While some congregations are conducting High Holy Day services in a slightly different manner, most temples are having traditional services specific to their congregations. Those interested can call the individual temples for their worship service locations and times.Worship locations
     View
      High Holy Day services are taking place at different locations throughout the valley. Many services will be at locations other than their traditional places of worship.
      Call the congregations for High Holy Day service times and locations.
      n Adat Ari el, 221-1230.
      n Ahavat Torah (Traditional Reform), 242-2111.
      n Beth El Congregation, 668-7729.
      n Chabad of Southern Nevada, 242-0015.
      n Congregation Ner Tamid, 733-6292.
      n Kabbalah Center, 243-0559.
      n Lev Ha Shem Messianic, 869-8983.
      n Midbar Kodesh (Conservative), 454-4848.
      n Temple Adat Chavarim (Reform), 392-8783.
      n Temple Bet Emet (Reform), 255-2348.
      n Temple Beth Am, 254-5110.
      n Temple Beth Sholom, 804-1333.
      n Temple Emanu-el, 255-1666.
      n Valley Outreach Synagogue, 436-4900.
      n Young Israel of Las Vegas, 360-8909.