As we welcome the New Year 5777 on the Jewish Calendar, we pause to take a step out of our busy year, the months and news cycles that collide into each other. We reflect on the grief of the year past, the victories, the mis-steps and the close calls. On Rosh Hashanah, tradition tells us our fate for the coming year is written in the Book of Life, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed—what will we commit to building in the coming year that might change the course of our own lives, and how will we commit ourselves to movements for justice in the year to come?
5777 High Holidays
Reflect. Renew. Recommit.
This year, JVP is hosting live digital services led by some of our greatest Rabbis and spiritual lay leaders from congregations and havurot spanning the country. Join us in prayer, song, and inspiring text that interweaves Immigrant Justice, the Movement for Black Lives, and Palestine throughout the new year’s themes of reflection, return, and renewal.
JVP hopes to provide deep, values-based services for our members and continue growing our justice-seeking community. We will update this page with more information about how you can join us. If you’re a JVP member (you can become a member here or check your membership status here) you will receive an email with the details.
10/02, Oakland CA
8:30pm-11:00pm CST
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Kehilla Community Synagogue
Immigrants and Refugees, Longing and Home
10/03, Chicago IL
10:00am CST (11:15am sermon)
Rosh Hashanah Day One
Tzedek Chicago
Affirming a Diaspora-Centered Judaism
Kol Nidre
10/11, Philadelphia PA
5:00pm CST (7:00pm sermon)
Kol Nidre
Tikun Olam & Fringes Havurot
Facing Our Deepest Challenges: As Jews & Americans
If I Forget Thee O Hebron: An Interfaith Martyrology
10/12, Philadelphia PA
4:00pm-5:00pm CST
Yom Kippor Afternoon
Tikun Olam & Fringes Havurot
“If I forget Thee O Hebron”: An Interfaith Martyrology Service
10/12, Oakland CA
8:30pm-10:00pm CST
Neilah
Kehilla Community Synagogue
Powerful Musical Closing (just audio)
Ushpizin Incantations: A Sukkot Supplement
Ushpizin is the custom of inviting in guests into your Sukkah.
Send JVP’s Rosh Hashanah card to a dear friend, or two, to bless their arrival at the beginning of a new year.
Cover Image:
Wendy Elisheva Somerson,
JVP Artists and Cultural Workers Council
“Humble Strength.” 12×12 encaustic painting on wood panel.
The ram’s horn (shofar) and pomegranates are common symbols associated with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year representing awakening and righteousness.
OTHER RESOURCES
To Welcome in the New Year
Narrow Bridge Yahrzeit Candles
The yahrzeit candle is lit during the week of Shiva (mourning). It is also lit at sundown on the eve of the yahrzeit (anniversary of the death) and at sundown preceding the start of Yom Kippur and at sundown preceding the last day of Suckot, Passover and Shavuot.
Order your yahrzeit candles: www.narrowbridgecandles.com
Narrow Bridge Candles is a Jewish ritual candlemaking project in support of the full Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel (BDS). A Portion of Profits of Narrow Bridge Candles go to the Stop the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Campaign.
The deadline for ordering Yahrtzeit candles in time for Yom Kippur is Friday, September 16th. To receive Hanukkah Candles in time for Hanukkah, please place your order by Friday December 2nd, 2016 (2 Kislev 5777).
Cover Art by JB Brager
5777 Calendar
Organized by the Jewish months featuring art, culture and knowledge made by the brilliant and beautiful Jewish left. A celebration of Jewish culture that is intersectional, queer, feminist, anti-racist, and that challenges and builds a Judaism and Jewishness beyond Zionism. For more info: www.facebook.com/RadicalJewishCalendar
5777 Calendar Order Form
Once your order is submitted, please send payments to radjcal@gmail.com via www.paypal.com/ Please mark as “send to family and friends,” to avoid fees.
Order by Rosh Chodesh Elul (aka Sunday September 4th) for delivery by Rosh Hashana! Orders after September 4 will be filled as soon as possible but might arrive after the new year has come in.
GET THE DEADLY EXCHANGE REPORT
Researching the American Israeli Alliance and Jewish Voice for Peace’s report reveals the extent of massive training programs between U.S. law enforcement and Israeli police, military, and the Shin Bet.
WE WELCOME 5779
This year, you have many offerings to choose from: live streamed high holiday services, a list of local JVP member-led services, JVP holiday cards, ritual guides, and ritual resources.
Booking.com: Tell the Truth
Days ago, Booking.com bowed to pro-Israel activists and started describing all of Jerusalem as a “city in Israel” – literally erasing Palestinian East Jerusalem. Let’s get Booking.com to tell the truth: East Jerusalem is occupied territory.
End the Deadly Exchange
When US law enforcement trade tactics with the Israeli police and military, Israel deepens its military occupation and the US heightens its violence of policing.
Write to dareen tatour
Just weeks ago Dareen Tatour, a young Palestinian, walked through the gates of the prison where she’ll spend the next five months – for writing a poem. This absurd criminalization of her poetry could not be a clearer demonstration of the repression Palestinian cultural voices face.
Senators: Investigate Israeli Violence!
No one should be killed for taking part in a peaceful protest. It’s up to us to call on progressive Senators to investigate Israel’s massacre in Gaza that killed over 100 Palestinians wounded 12,000 others.
SUPPORT PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
Israel systematically prosecutes as many as 700 children in military courts each year. Email your Rep to support Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act, H.R. 4391.
bds movement NOMINATED FOR nobel prize
Norwegian MP Bjørnar Moxnes has nominated the Palestinian-led movement for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions for the Nobel Peace Prize!
