High Holy Days 2023/5784

Videos from the 2023 High Holy Day Services:

Sermons

High Holy Days Resources

High Holy Days 5784 Bulletin

Click here to read the High Holy Days Magazine – everything you need to know to celebrate the holidays at Temple Emanuel! Members will receive a print version of the magazine which will include High Holy Day Passes for all services.

If you are not a member and would like to attend our services, please contact the office (412.279.7600) for more information.


High Holy Days Service Schedule at a Glance
  • Saturday, 9/9 Selichot (7PM)
  • Friday, 9/15 – Erev Rosh Hashanah (7:30PM)
  • Saturday, 9/16 – Rosh Hashanah Family Focused Service (9AM)/Traditional Service (10:30AM)/Tashlich (2:30PM)
  • Sunday, 9/17 – Cemetery Service (11AM)
  • Sunday, 9/24 – Kol Nidre (7:30PM)
  • Monday, 9/25 Yom Kippur Family Focused Service (9AM)/Traditional Service (10:30AM)/Afternoon-Yizkor-Neilah (3PM)

Tashlich

Tashlich, the ceremony where we symbolically cast away our transgressions as part of the process of teshuvah, is deeply reflective. Where have I missed the mark and seek to do better? With whom do I still need to make amends? Prayers and readings can be found here so that you can find meaning in this ancient tradition whether you choose to join us in-person or do-it-yourself.


Book of Remembrance

Click here to read.

High Holy Days Musicians

Kalix Jacobson

Cantor

Cantor Kalix Jacobson (they/them) is a longtime musician and singer with a background in diverse musical styles. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Cantor Kalix has been working in Cantorial spaces since 2014, and has been writing music since the early 2000s. They were ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May of 2023, having been a Weitzman Fellow for JDC-Entwine, and also having been the recipient of the Rabbi Sarah Messinger Prize, the Josef Frudenthal Memorial Prize for Excellence in Composition, the Palm Beach Liturgical Cultural Foundation Prize, and the Lee Gura Memorial Prize for Aptitude in Synagogue Choral Music. During their time at HUC-JIR, they also obtained an additional Masters in Jewish Nonprofit Management from the Zelikow School, furthering their undergraduate studies in Business to be applicable to nonprofit and synagogue spaces. They are so thrilled to be Temple Emanuel of South Hills’ first Cantor in over 40 years!

James Burns

Accompanist

Jim Burns is a frequent performer with groups like The Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, The Bach Choir, and The Mendelssohn Choir. As a pianist for the Civic Light Opera, he has performed in over 100 musical theater productions. He has had the pleasure of bringing music to young students through his work with educational outreach programs for Gateway to Music and Pittsburgh Opera. Presently the organist at Westminster Presbyterian Church, he has served at Temple Emanuel since 2014.

Rebecca Closson

Soloist

Rebecca Closson is an instrumental musician and music educator. Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Rebecca has played in solo engagements, chamber groups, and symphony ensembles, and has taught in preschool programs, primary school, and at the collegiate level in Illinois and Pennsylvania. As a lifelong student of the arts, Rebecca enjoys collaborating across many different platforms to engage a variety of audiences in music-making and education. Rebecca is a wife, mother of two sons, and the music teacher at the Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Development Center.

Jacob Kraus

Soloist

New York based Jacob “Spike” Kraus is a Jewish singer-songwriter whose music has been included in the cantorial curriculum of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and is featured by Jewish Rock Radio & PJ Library. Originally from Boston Massachusetts, Jacob has been song leading for over a decade at synagogues, day schools, and summer camps. Now he spends his summers touring Jewish summer camps across North America – performing, teaching, and just being generally “camp-ful”. We are excited to welcome him back for High Holy Day services at Temple Emanuel again this year!