Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Joseph and Lynn Goldovitz, the multi-talented spiritual leaders of Congregation Sinai Minneola will blow the shofar and play the harp as well as conduct the upcoming High Holidays. All holiday events are celebrated and commemorated for 2 days.

Jewish people all over the world will usher in the Jewish New Year 5778, a time of new beginnings and of reflection on one’s life, beginning with Selichot services on Saturday, Sept. 16.

A dairy dinner will be served at 6:15, followed by services at 7:30 and a lively discussion of issues pertaining to the High Holidays. Rosh Hashanah will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Congregation Sinai is offering a second day Reform Service on Friday Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11a.m., followed by a free brunch, open to the entire community.

The 10 days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest days of the year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a period of judgment. During the High Holidays, people pray for forgiveness for the sins they have committed and pledge to lead a better life in the New Year. It is said that at this time, G-d judges and then decides “who shall live and who shall die and who shall be inscribed in the Book of Life for the upcoming year.” The serving of apples and honey for a sweet year is traditional. The shofar is a ram’s horn and is blown as a call to worship and to usher in the New Year.

Join Congregation Sinai this year for “Lunch and Learn,” a luncheon following services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah when lunch is served and a lively discussion follows on topics chosen by Spiritual Leaders Lynn and Joe Goldovitz. This has been a tradition for many years. Following Lunch and Learn, the congregants will gather on the Clermont pier to recite Tashlich.

Following closing services on Yom Kippur, Sept. 30, the synagogue will offer its sumptuous “Break the Fast,” a huge buffet of old world Jewish food not to be believed and pastries galore.

Congregation Sinai also is celebrating Sukkot, the Holiday of the Harvest by building a Sukkah in its own back yard, decorated by the children in the Religious School. Everyone attending Sukkot services will receive a blessing for the New Year in the Sukkah.

Many other events will be happening at Congregation Sinai this fall: movies, dinners, adult education, Bible study. Check their newsletter for all upcoming events and join in the fun.