Shofar’s cry inspires an accounting during Elul

By Student Rabbi Rocki Schy

Elul is an intense month! We’re gearing up for the High Holy Days, and in order to prepare ourselves, we have certain rituals that we carry out during this time.

We perform teshuvah, the process of making amends to our fellow humans whom we have wronged during the course of the year.

We undertake a cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of our souls, where we assess how we measured up during the year.

We look inward to determine where we excelled and where we fell short. We read Psalm 27, in which the psalmist asks to dwell with G-d. And, of course, we hear the shofar.

Read More

Welcome spring, and see you at the seder!

By Betsy Frank

Spring is finally here! And spring means Pesach. I hope you’ll attend our congregational seder led by Student Rabbi Rocki Schy at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 8.

This will be our first complete, in-person seder with a full meal since 2019. You may also attend virtually via Zoom.

In other news, please follow our latest efforts to re-envision the congregation. Debra Israel is leading a task force that is exploring future possibilities for UHC.

Read More

Rabbi Miles will come home for the Holidays

By Rabbi Stanley R. Miles

In the title of his most famous novel, Thomas Wolfe warned, You Can’t Go Home Again.

Earlier this year, when United Hebrew Congregation invited me to lead High Holy Days services this year at the Temple, that phrase was constantly with me. From 1948-1966, your congregation was a center of my Jewish life.

Those years were, from my perspective, very good for the Terre Haute Jewish community. That was the time when my parents (of blessed memory), extended family and so many others set me on a life path that remains an incredible blessing.

Read More

High Holidays 5783 schedule to begin with Erev Rosh Hashanah services Sunday, September 25

Rabbi Stanley Miles will officiate High Holidays services in the sanctuary at United Hebrew Congregation and via Zoom for the New Year 5783, beginning with Erev Rosh Hashanah services at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

Yana Weinstein will return as soloist for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre. This will be her fifth High Holy Days with UHC during the past six years.

We will observe a mask-optional policy that may change depending on local Covid infection rates and CDC recommendations.

Read More