High Holiday Prep Class Coming to Port Washington

Sept. 16 marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holidays. That means that people preparing for the holidays will soon kick into high gear. But those from other backgrounds who are raising Jewish children probably have lots of questions. 

Answers to questions about hosting a Rosh Hashanah meal and more are within reach. That's thanks to The Mothers Circle, a series of free programs for women of other religious backgrounds raising Jewish children within the context of intermarriage. The group is introducing a one-time class called High Holiday Highlights – Holiday Prep Class. 

Hosted by , the class is described as "a free, fun, and interactive session that will prepare parents who are new to Judaism to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and honor Yom Kippur in a meaningful way with their families." The class will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 7-9 p.m., for parents from Port Washington and surrounding areas..

The class covers the how-to's and purpose behind the various High Holiday rituals, examines some of the prayers heard in synagogue and at home, and the virtues traditional foods and the concepts behind fasting for Yom Kippur. Participants will also discover ways to answer their children’s questions and discuss some of the intricacies of participating in – or even hosting – a Jewish holiday celebration.

“If you’ve always asked, ‘I know the High Holidays are important, but I’m not sure why,’ then this is the class for you,” said Community Synagogue’s Cantor Claire Franco, who will lead the program.

Refreshments and childcare will be provided. For directions, please visit the synagogue's website, or call 516-883-3144. To RSVP or learn more about the program, contact Cantor Claire Franco at 516-883-3144 ext 328 or cfranco@commsyn.org.  Learn more about the class’s sponsoring organizations, The Mothers Circle, and its creator, the Jewish Outreach Institute, which spearheads the program, by visiting motherscircle.org and JOI.org.