Holidays
The second I came to Romemu, I just knew, now I am home.
Contrary to the other three hundred days of the year, when you’re running and doing and building and constructing, the Jewish holidays provide a kind of in-built way to pause and to gather yourself and regenerate.
Our lives can become so full of activities and to-do tasks that, in some sense, the soul becomes overwhelmed. We need to defragment our souls. We can be pulled in so many different directions, but the holidays help that part of us that needs meaning and connection and great purpose.
Holiday rituals are ancient technologies that carry contemporary wisdom.
Judaism works.
At Romemu, we provide services and programming for:
High Holy Days - Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper
Join us for the start of the Jewish year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time for reflection and repentance. One of the benefits our members enjoy most is the opportunity to join all High Holy Day services onsite or online.
View highlights from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 5784 (2023) here.
Selichot
During the Hebrew month of Elul (the month before Rosh Hashanah) there is a tradition to say selichot (penitential poems and prayers). In Ashkenazi tradition, these are begun on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah. This year, since Rosh Hashanah begins on Sunday, we start saying selichot a week early.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashana (literally head of the year) is the Jewish new year, a time of both rejoicing and reflection. It is the start of the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance) or Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe).
Teshuvah, one of the primary themes of Rosh Hashanah, literally means return. It is a time to turn back to things from which you have strayed or turned away – the perfect time to come back to synagogue if you have stayed away for a while or never truly explored it as a spiritual option.
Registration is required for all Rosh Hashanah services.
Shabbat Shuvah
Shabbat Shuvah (the Shabbat of return) is the Shabbat during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance) or Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). The Haftorah portion we read on this Shabbat focuses on the High Holy Days’ theme of repentance. Historically, this Shabbat has been a time when rabbis present a special sermon to the community. At Romemu, we carry on this tradition with a special Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Ingber.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the culmination of the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance) or Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). It is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar; a day of fasting and prayer, a day in which we are instructed to separate ourselves as much as possible from the mundane activities of daily life.
It is traditional to wear a tallit (prayer shul) at all services on Yom Kippur; it is the only day of the year in which one is worn in the evening. Yom Kippur begins with the powerful and ancient Kol Nidre (all vows) prayer and ends with Neilah service during which the liturgy imagines the gates of heaven closing at the end of the High Holy Day period.
Registration is required for all Yom Kippur services.
Sukkot
Join us each year as we build a home for G-d on Sukkot.
Plan to join Romemu members gathering in our rooftop sukkah for meals throughout the holiday.
Simchat Torah
The last holiday of the High Holy Day season is always a special event at Romemu. We unfurl the whole Torah and everyone receives a special verse just for them.
We also close off 105th Street for a big music and dance party with the Torah scrolls.
Chanukah
Shine a light into the darkness with Romemu.
Chanukah 5784 began on December 7.
View video of Romemu’s 5783 (2022) Chanukah party and concert with Chazan Basya Schechter.
Tu B'Shvat
Grow with us on Tu B’Shvat.
Tu B’Shvat 5784 will begin on Wednesday January 24
Join us for Shabbat Tu B’Shvat Lunch and Learn on January 27. Learn more.
Purim
Purim 5784 (2024) begins at Sundown on Saturday, March 23
Family Purim Party for Children 5-12 & Their Families @ 5 PM at The Romemu Center RSVP
The Banquet: Vashti’s Version March 23, 6 PM @ the Romemu Center RSVP
Megillah Reading & Concert Shpiel@ 8 PM at West End Presbyterian Church & Online – No Registration Required
Purim is coming to the ‘Mu… (With a Taylor Swift Inspired Soundtrack!)
Join us as we share the story of Esther – perhaps the greatest heroine the Jewish people have known.
The Banquet: Vashti’s Version: Enjoy delicious Persian cuisine inspired by Vashti and the vision of chef Deborah Fishman, of FED. FED is a platform for ideas built into an inclusive community with delicious food. Learn more about FED here.
Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses will share Purim Torah for these times and Deborah will facilitate connection and conversation.
After Megillah reading, we’ll get the party started with The ERAS SHPIEL a special Taylor Swift-ified Purim performance by Shimon Smith.
Passover
Second Night Holistic Seder at Romemu
Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 PM EDT at The Romemu Center & Online
Join Romemu for our Holistic 2nd Night Seder, led by Rabbi Ingber, with Rabbi Cohler-Esses, and Shimon Smith, Featuring guests from the Renewable Rikers coalition, and food by FED. More details coming soon!
Register here. Do you need support to join the Seder? Let us know here.
Shavuot
Ascend Mount Sinai and reclaim your Torah with Romemu.
Shavuot 5784 will begin in the evening on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Save the date to join us for a night of Torah study on June 11.
Tisha B'Av
Upcoming Holidays Services and Programs
Join us in celebration of some of Judaism’s most beautiful, moving, and sacred times, and their role in our lives.
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