ALIZA ABOLAFIA, Rabbi BETH NADITCH

ALBANY­–The Havurah Minyan of the Capital District offers a smaller, intimate “DIY” prayer service for the community.  The Minyan, now noting 25 years, offers all who join together a chance to foster connection and reflect on the themes of the holiday. Newcomers from any branch of Jewish worship are welcome to attend the

Conservative-style services. Congregants are invited to take active roles from ark openings to leading “kavanot,” meditations on themes of the day. Prayers are generally in Hebrew with many opportunities for sharing and learning in English. Women and men participate equally in the services.

“The Minyan is small and comfortable.  People are welcoming and create a space where I can pray both in community and as an individual. I’ve been attending the minyan since it was formed and I couldn’t imagine going elsewhere,” says Ethan Bloch, a member from Albany.

Both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be held in Albany. For security reasons, those interested in attending are asked to e-mail hmalbany@gmail.com or call/text Tina Lieberman (518-727-2229) in advance to register for the days they plan to attend, Registration before the holidays is required. No tickets or payment are required.

Minyan prayer leaders Aliza Abolafia and Rabbi Beth Naditch will lead davening and Torah conversations. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Abolafia is associate director of teen empowerment at Yeshivat Hadar and spiritual advisor at Camp Yavneh in N.H. This is her 7th year leading Rosh Hashanah services at the Minyan.  Her services are known for singing and new tunes according to organizers.

Rabbi Naditch is a chaplain for Hebrew Senior Life in Boston, where she is the director of clinical pastoral education. Her professional passions include geriatric chaplaincy, trauma-informed care, and resilience. The rabbi returns for her 23rd year and will provide with her personal anecdotes.

 

Schedule:

Rosh Hashanah: Tues. Sept. 23 and Wed. Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m.

Kol Nidre: Wed. Oct. 1 at 5:45 p.m., followed by discussion on holiday themes

Yom Kippur: Thurs. Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. with a mid-afternoon break. Approximate times for remainder of the day –

Mincha at 4:15 p.m., Torah discussion at 5:15-6 p.m. N’eilah at 6:15 p.m. Havdalah, Shofar blowing at 7:15 p.m. (those attending asked to bring havdalah candles and shofars if available)

A potluck break-fast follows the shofar blowing. Minyan attendees contribute vegetarian dishes for a coordinated communal meal.

No tickets are required and all may attend regardless of ability to pay. The Minyan encourages contributions of $100 per person, $200 per family to help cover its expenses. The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York will accept contributions on behalf of the Minyan or contributions may be sent directly to the Minyan organizers. Gifts sent to the Federation should indicate “Havurah Minyan Contribution” and be mailed to 184 Washington Ave., Ext, Albany, NY 12203. The Federation also accepts gifts via its website with appropriate designation. Checks may be sent payable to the Havurah Minyan, to:  Havurah Minyan ℅ L. E. Weiss, 41 Homestead St., Albany, NY 12203.