Adath Israel Planning Traditional Memorial Service For 12/14 Anniversary
On Saturday, December 7, at 9:30 am, Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown will mark the first anniversary of the December 14, 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting with a traditional Jewish memorial service. The service will be on that date in keeping with the Hebrew date of the anniversary.
A regular Saturday morning Sabbath service will be held, and then the memorial service itself will commence at 11 am. It will include traditional liturgy and memorial readings, and the names of each of the children and educators who died on 12/14 will be mentioned. People are welcome to attend any portion of the service that they wish.
Rabbi Shaul Praver, spiritual leader of this Conservative Jewish congregation will be officiating. He has invited Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray of Temple Shearith Israel of Ridgefield to join him. Ms Katchko-Gray comes from an illustrious lineage of liturgical singers.
“We welcome all who wish to commemorate, participate or simply observe this Jewish ceremony,” said Rabbi Praver.
Synagogue Education Director Lynn Wiener will be providing child friendly activities in another part of the building during the memorial service.
“Parents will have the option to choose whether they want their young children with them in the sanctuary, or not, during this emotional time,” she said.
In keeping with the Jewish tradition of giving charity, and in line with First Selectman Pat Llodra’s directive that anniversary programming focus upon compassionate acts of kindness and service to the broader community, the synagogue will be collecting funds to donate to the ongoing rescue efforts in the Philippines. Checks can be made out to The American Jewish World Service with the word “Philippines” in the memo section and they will be forwarded to this charitable organization.
Congregation Adath Israel is at 115 Huntingtown Road.
In respect for the Sabbath day, photography, videography, and any other electronic recording devices are not welcome on the synagogue premises. Rabbi Praver and the synagogue board ask that everyone please follow this request.