Round-the-Table Shabbat
Kol HaEmek is pleased to announce that catered Round-the-Table Shabbat services and meals will be happening again this year, due to generous contributions from Norm and Karen Rosen, and your ongoing donations. Round-the-Table services are a lovely way to end the school/work week by getting together with family and community to sing songs, connect with where we are in the Jewish wheel of time, and eat delicious food.
We'll gather at 6pm for a family-oriented service of songs and blessings. The service will be led Kohenet Rayna Grace.
A vegetarian meal will follow the service, catered by Aravah Eats. Menu will be announced when available.
RSVPs are required. This will fill up, so RSVP soon to save your spot.
You'll notice that when you RSVP that you have the option to make a financial donation towards the meal, suggested at $9-54 per person . These catered dinners have been an incredible gift from Norm and Karen Rosen, and we have found that the catered meals are greatly enlivening our community. By accepting donations, we hope to be able to continue this tradition throughout the year. All are welcome, regardless of ability to financially contribute.
So looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Hanukkah Party and Latke Potluck
***The Kol HaEmek family Hanukkah Party ***
RAFFLE DETAILS
Kol HaEmek is doing a quick fundraiser to close out the year. Raffle tickets are available to purchase online or at the Hanukkah party tomorrow for the next 24 hours. Need not be present to win, but must be local to Redwood Valley/Ukiah for prompt delivery. Win a sweet and delicious Chanukah Goody Bag, lovingly put together by Nancy, for your Chanukah cheer. It will include rainbow Chanukah Candles, See's Chocolate Gelt, a bottle of Martinelle's, and 18 pieces of homemade Rugalah! (A few other treats may be added) Tickets are 1 for $5, or 5 for $20.
PARTY DETAILS
The annual KHE Hanukkah party is always a highlight of the year. Warm, bright, fun and delicious! All are welcome. Bring the family, bring your friends! The schedule will be roughly as follows:
4pm - craft and dreidel playing
5pm - candle lighting and songs
5:30 - Latke potluck dinner
To Bring:
Your own hanukiah and candles: It will be the 5th night of Hanukkah, so if you are lighting Hillel-style, you will need 6 candles, and if you are lighting Shammai-style, you'll need 5 candles. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about different styles of lighting, you're in good company, and we'll talk about it tomorrow.)
A potluck dish to share: your best latkes and fixings (you know there can never be too many latkes!), or any other vegetarian dish you'd like to contribute. Donuts, anyone?!
Small change-coins to share for dreidel playing. (Or other tokens the kids can play with.)
Kohenet Rayna Grace will be the activity lead for the evening. Set-up at 3:30 and cleanup help requested.
Torah and Conversion Service
Please join us this Saturday December 14th for a very special Torah service led by Rabbi Paige. This Saturday we have the privilege of Rabbi Paige leading our community in Shabbat prayers and Torah wisdom. We additionally gather to witness and honor the conversion-to-Judaism by our community member, Gwen Elise Hardage-Vergeer. Gwen will be called up to the Torah for her first time chanting Torah, and be blessed in her meaningful transition.
Gwen invites us to join her in celebration afterwards with bagels, cream cheese and lox. Please RSVP HERE to help us prepare for the reception.
Hebrew School
Hebrew school hosted by Michael Nemeth. Geared to 8-12 year olds, but others are welcome. Plan on this being weekly unless otherwise noted.
Please note: There will NOT be Hebrew school on December 1, December 22 or December 29. Class will resume weekly on January 5.
For questions, please email Michael at nemethclan4@gmail.com
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join us for a peaceful and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service as we welcome the Sabbath with joy and reflection. This evening will be filled with soulful melodies, heartfelt prayers, and the warmth of community as we set aside the busyness of the week and embrace the tranquility of Shabbat. Whether you are seeking spiritual renewal or simply a moment of peace, this service offers a meaningful start to your weekend in the company of friends and family.
Simchat Torah at the Shul
The final holiday of the season is Simchat Torah, in which we honor the completion of the Torah readings for the year with music and dancing. Join the Kol HaEmek celebration with music, dancing with the Torah and finger-food potluck. It's always a fun time!
Family Sukkot service at the Aravah Sukkot Festival in Hopland
We are very excited this year to offer our Family Sukkot service at the Aravah Sukkot Festival in Hopland. Aravah Sukkot Festival is a pluralistic Jewish community gathering to celebrate the harvest festival and embrace the season of rain. Through our collaboration, Kol HaEmek members may attend the Sunday morning family service at the festival for FREE (plus, we are welcome to stay for an additional session after the service at no charge)! Additionally, discount tickets are available for day or weekend passes for Kol HaEmek members. For location, or to for a discount code, please email kolhaemekrv@gmail.com
If you plan to attend the Kol HaEmek service on Sunday Oct 20th 10am, please RSVP to https://donorbox.org/events/694879 so we can get a headcount, and know how many to expect at the gate Sunday morning.
Our service will be lead by Kohenet Rayna Grace, and will explore four elements of Sukkot: We will shake lulavim (earth), pray for rain and healing with song and dance (water), blow shofar (air), and explore the temple practice of lighting giant candelabras for Sukkot (fire). This will be a song-filled and interactive service. All are welcome, with a special invitation to children and families.
You are invited to bring: Lulav made from four species. Water from a source that is sacred to you that we will add to our collective well of prayers for good rain and healing throughout the world this year. Shofars!
There are a lot of really wonderful workshops, rituals and celebrations being planned at the festival. Do check out the website to see! https://www.aravahfestival.com/
Gather
Join artists, activists, entrepreneurs, Rabbis, creators, families, elders, healers, psychonauts, ritualists, and everyone in between, from across California and beyond, as we come together to build solidarity across our differences.
Play
Immerse yourself in the playful spirit of Sukkot with live music, DJs, shtick, emergent performances, workshops, talks, and more. Sing, dance, create art, and co-create unique moments.
Pray
Engage in pluralistic Jewish prayer, musical Shabbat services, and Sukkot rituals. Explore dedicated spaces for grief and reflection, explore Jewish altar making, and participate in embodied practices that honor our rich traditions and embrace new ones. Celebrate your joy and return your grief to the land and water.
Community Sukkot Potluck at the Shul
Community sukkah building, decorating, and a harvest potluck on the deck of our Shul. We will build the sukkah, and then collectively share what we know and love about Sukkot as we dwell in our sukkah. Please bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share.
High Holiday Services
Join Rabbi Paige, Kohenet Rayna Grace and the Kol HaEmek community for High Holiday Services to include Selichot, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. We'll gather often over these six weeks to celebrate, reflect, and connect.
Round-the-Table Shabbat: click on “View Event” to read more and RSVP (required).
Kol HaEmek is pleased to announce that catered Round-the-Table Shabbat services and meals will be happening again this year, due to generous contributions from Norm and Karen Rosen, and your ongoing donations. Round-the-Table services are a lovely way to end the school/work week by getting together with family and community to sing songs, connect with where we are in the Jewish wheel of time, and eat delicious food.
Full Calendar
