Holidays
The community is welcome to join us at services throughout the year. Tickets are required for the High Holidays.
Our Kane Street Service, a warm and traditional service held in our beautiful Sanctuary, is led by Rabbi Sam Weintraub, High Holiday Chazzan Boaz Tarsi and lay leaders.
The Bergen Street Service, in a more intimate and informal setting, is led by KSS Music Enrichment Director Joey Weisenberg and lay leaders.
High Holiday tickets are assigned in August. To order tickets, please contact office@kanestreet.org in August.
FAQs about: High Holiday Honors
High Holiday Cycle
Unless otherwise noted, Holidays begin at sundown, the evening before the dates below:
S’lichot – September 12, 2009
On the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, we gather in the Sanctuary to prepare ourselves for the Days of Awe. The program includes a social hour, reflective discussion and late night Penitential Service. Recent topics of study have been Ritual, Forgiveness, Ethical Wills and Fundamentalism.
Rosh Hashanah – September 19-20, 2009
Prayer services and discussion groups meet in the Sanctuary, Community Room and Chapel, offering a variety of programs for adults and children. The congregation gathers for Tashlich services at the Brooklyn Bridge.
Kol Nidre – September 27, 2009
On the holiest night of the year, please plan to arrive at the Synagogue promptly. The doors of the Sanctuary remain closed during the solemn chanting of the Kol Nidre prayer. Late-comers are seated at the conclusion of the prayer.
Yom Kippur – September 28, 2009
Worship services on Yom Kippur, as with Rosh Hashanah, accommodates a diverse community. The schedule includes a Yizkor service and afternoon study session. We break our fast together with cake and OJ.
Sukkot – October 3-4 2009
Prior to the holiday many hands help build and decorate our sweet-smelling sukkah. Join us for Sukkot services and for a week of festive meals. You may purchase your lulav and etrog through the office.
Hoshana Rabah – October 2009
In our joyful service on the final day of Sukkot we march in seven processions around the Synagogue, sing and beat willow twigs on the Sanctuary floor to shake off the leaves. The leafless twigs are symbolic of our old selves that we shed through T’shuva (repentance).
Sh’mini Atzeret – October 10, 2009
The Morning Service includes Yizkor memorial prayers.
Simchat Torah – October 11, 2009
We express our joy for the Torah during high spirited evening services in the Sanctuary and out on Kane Street where the street is closed to traffic and we dance with our Torah Scrolls and enjoy refreshments.
Other Holidays
Chanukah – December 11, 2009 – first candle
Each night of Chanukah a group gathers around our brass menorah to light the candles. Our Hebrew School students and Kane Street Kids enjoy meals with latkes and donuts and play dreidel games, and the congregation gathers on Shabbat for dinner.
Tu B’Shevat
We teach our students about the New Year for Trees by eating a new piece of fruit on this day, planting trees and collecting money for the trees in Israel.
Purim – February 28, 2010
Two Megillah readings are held on the night of Purim. Our Purim celebration in the Sanctuary is a boisterous and very child-friendly affair where costumed merry-makers drone out Haman’s name with a vengeance. The “quiet” Megillah reading in the Chapel attracts a crowd who manages to enjoy the cacophony of assorted noise-makers and actually listens to the Purim story. Purim at Kane Street is not to be missed!
Pesach – March 30, 2010 – first night
Kane Street prepares for Pesach by cleaning the synagogue’s kitchen, arranging for the sale of chametz, distributing Passover food orders and matching Seder guests with hosts for home hospitality.
Yom HaShoah – April 11, 2010
Kane Streeters join together with other synagogues in the Brooklyn Brownstone Community in an annual Holocaust Commemorative program. The event is held at a different synagogue each year. The evening is always inspirational.
Yom Ha’atz’ma’ut – April 20, 2010
Our Israel Independence Day programs commemorating the founding of the modern State of Israel vary from year to year. The 2009 program begins at 7 PM with a special Ma’ariv evening service, prayers of remembrance for fallen soldiers and civilians, Israeli songs led by Joey Weisenberg and Kane Street members, and a light Israeli dinner. Many Kane Streeters show their support for Israel by attending the Israeli Day parade on Fifth Avenue.
Shavuot – May 19, 2010
To honor the sacred gift of Torah, Kane Street begins the two-day Shavuot holiday with an evening Tikkun, a study session. We usually begin with Ma’ariv services, followed by refreshments in the Community Room and presentations by the Rabbi and several members. Each year we explore a theme with texts from the Tanakh, Talmud, and medieval or modern literature. Discussion often continues past midnight.
Tishah B’Av – July 20, 2010
We remember the destruction of the first two Temples and other tragedies with evening services in the Community Room. As a sign of mourning, we sit on the floor of the darkened room. Using flashlights to read the text, we sing the Kinot and chant the Book of Eichah.