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New Year, New Machzor!

Beth Israel’s clergy, staff and Board are excited to announce that we will be using the Reform Movement’s newly published machzor (prayer book) — Mishkan HaNefesh (Sanctuary of the Soul) for the 2015 High Holy Days. After using the same machzor for the past 40 years, it has become clear that what the modern American Jew has come to expect from the High Holy Day experience is very different than in the 70s. As 21st century Jews, we at Beth Israel want the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur experience to be truly meaningful, thought-provoking, and innovative, and our new machzor will certainly help us rise to this occasion. Mishkan HaNefesh embodies a Judaism that is alive and vibrant. By combining traditional modern melodies with inspiring readings, and beautiful poetry, the new machzor opens both our hearts and minds.

We are grateful to Dr. Lisa Braun-Glazer and Dr. Jeff Glazer for donating an entire set of these new prayer books to Beth Israel. We will have a copy for each attendee to borrow during services. Personal copies are available for purchase through the CCAR Press. If you wish, you may drop off your old prayer books at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. We will arrange to donate them.

The machzor is a revitalization of its predecessors and replaces the long-tenured Gates of Repentance, which will be retired after many years of faithful service to our congregation. Therefore there is no reason to bring your copies of Gates of Repentance from home.

More About Mishkan HaNefesh

  • Offers meaningful liturgy for both regular service attendees and those new to Jewish spirituality and practice
  • Inspires a multifaceted experience of Yamim HaNoraim—from feelings of awe to moments of solace, from the solitude of contemplation to the solidarity of song and worship
  • Provides an accessible guide through the journey of t’shuvah (repentance) and cheshbon hanefesh (self-reflection)
  • Bridges the personal and the communal, the ritual and the ethical dimensions of Yamim HaNoraim
  • Embraces the rich liturgical voices of the Jewish past and the aspirations of our people today

Special Features

  • Fully transliterated liturgy
  • Expanded options for Torah readings
  • Study texts that provide background and context
  • Contemporary poetry and alternative readings
  • Rich commentary drawing from Jewish tradition
  • A range of theological possibilities
  • New translations that capture the beauty of the Hebrew
  • Original woodblock art by acclaimed artist Joel Shapiro
  • Includes essays by the leading Reform Movement thinkers

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