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Visiting Rabbi Steven Chester will lead Yom Kippur services next week at Temple Emanu-El to mark the end of the High Holy Days — a 10-day period of repentance, forgiveness and judgement by God — that began Sunday with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.
Cantorial soloist Ken Aronowitz will also take part.
Following the lunar calendar, Jewish holidays actually begin the preceding evening, so a Kol Nidre service will begin Tuesday promptly at 6 p.m., when fasting also starts. Once the service begins, no one will be admitted until the chanting of Kol Nidre is completed. On Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) on Wednesday, services are at 9:30 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m.A community "break the fast" meal will follow the afternoon service in the social hall.
Chester is rabbi emeritus of Temple Sinai in Oakland, Calif. He retired in June after 22 years. He has taught Hebrew or religion at various colleges. Before that he served congregations in Jackson, Mich., and Stockton, Calif.
In a press release, temple president Cliff Halevi said, "Rabbi Chester is not only a brilliant and beloved rabbi, but is nationally known as being a spiritual leader who exemplifies the values of warmth, love and humility. … (His) visit here is very timely, given the recent transition of spiritual leadership at the temple and the need to bring a healing touch to our community."
Following a controversial vote last month in which the new board voted to not renew Rabbi Peter Schaktman’s contract, which expires in June, Halevi issued this statement Sept. 14:
"Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Schaktman have come to an amicable parting of the ways; therefore, effective immediately, Rabbi Schaktman is no longer the Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El.The temple and the rabbi have entered into a confidential and mutually agreeable resolution to enable the congregation to begin the healing process, both within the temple family as well as throughout the entire Jewish community in Hawaii. On behalf of the board and the congregation, I wish Rabbi Schaktman the best in his future endeavors and may aloha and shalom guide his life."
For information on services, call 595-7521 or visit www.shaloha.com. Temple Emanu-El is at 2550 Pali Highway.
Other Yom Kippur celebrations in Honolulu include:
Congregation Sof Ma’arav, 2500 Pali Highway (in the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu), 263-1130, www.sofmaarav.org.
On Tuesday, Kol Nidre starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Yom Kippur services are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and continue from 5 to 7 p.m. with a break-the-fast potluck.
Chabad of Hawaii, Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive, 735-8161, www.chabadofhawaii.com.
On Tuesday, candle lighting is at 6:05 p.m., the fast begins at 6:19 p.m. and the Kol Nidre evening service at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, services begin at 9:30 a.m., 1, 5 and 5:45 p.m. A meal is served at 7 p.m. to break the fast. All services are held in English and Hebrew.
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