Hadar's High Holiday Beit Midrash

Unlocking the Mahzor: Kehilat Hadar's High Holidays Beit Midrash

Enter the High Holiday season feeling prepared with the help of the Hadar Beit Midrash.  Over five sessions the Hadar Beit Midrash will examine the intricacy, beauty and poetry of the High Holiday liturgy, providing essential context and exciting insight into this intense and introspective season.

Five Tuesdays starting August 26

Location: JCC of Manhattan, 76th and Amsterdam
Time: 7:00-7:30: A special intro to the High Holidays workshop
          7:30-9:00: Beit Midrash session
Cost: $5/Session, pay for all 5 and get a free High Holydays Mahzor
Please feel free to join us for any or all of the sessions.

Before every session there will be a special intro to High Holidays liturgy at 7:00pm.  Come and learn more about the deep and meaningful prayers of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

August 26
The Mysteries of Musaf: Malchuyot, Zichronot and Shofarot on Rosh Hashanah
Taught by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer

Why are the three themes of kingship, memory and shofar united on Rosh Hashanah? What is the deeper significance of the Biblical verses quoted in this prayer? How can we connect these themes to our own struggle with repentance and forgiveness? Join us as we uncover the deeper meaning to this unique prayer of Rosh Hashanah.

September 2
Repentance and Dismemberment: The Unetana Tokef Prayer
Taught by David Shyovitz

The origins of Unetana Tokef, and grisley fate that met its author, are steeped in legend.  In this session we will examine the sources that discuss the complex history and origins of this powerful and evocative prayer, one of the emotional peaks of the High Holiday liturgy.

September 9
Kol Nidre: Beyond "The Jazz Singer"
Taught by Avital Hochstein

In this session we will look at the invocative and inspiring aspects of the Kol Nidre service beyond the moving melodies.

September 16
Remembering Ancestors: Moving Beyond Atomization in High Holiday Prayer
Taught by Aviva Richman

In the prayer of Anenu - Answer Us- we remember times that God responded to our ancestors in times of need.  What if the roles were switched - and these ancestors actually had the power and access to mention our needs before God?  In this class we will examine the text of Anenu in light of tkhines (yiddish prayers) and folk ritual as a means of expanding our sense of prayer and community on a day that is often construed as the most introverted day of the Jewish calendar.

September 23
Hadar High Holidays Melodies Workshop
Taught by Aryeh Bernstein

Join Aryeh Burstein, one of Kehilat Hadar's High Holiday prayer leaders for an inspiring session of learning new and classic Rosh Hashanah melodies.