Ahavat Olam

A progressive synagogue in Vancouver, BC, Canada

High Holidays

Ahavat Olam will hold High Holiday services for 2022 / 5783 as we have since 2004 / 5765. All are welcome to attend. There are no tickets. Due to our usual home at the Vancouver Peretz Centre currently serving as an interim library, we will be gathering in the ground level of Strathcona Church, 431 Princess St, Vancouver BC,V6A 3C9 for davvening, prayer, and meditation.

The form and style of our services will be chavurah-led, and those who wish and are able to plan ahead to attend, please be encouraged to meaningfully engage in the preparation for the Yamim Nora’im by choosing a portion, to read or sing, in either English or Hebrew, that you would be pleased to lead by signing up here: https://signup.com/go/fpWTjhw

Portions of the service have been broken down into tiny manageable bits, with the intention that all our voices are able to come together in participation, in a way that allows each to their ability.

If you would like to make a unique contribution, or simply prefer to sign up by email, please contact Sarah Mackenzie, sarah@ahavat-olam.ca, to arrange.

Please note that this year there will not be a Rosh HaShana evening, or Kol Nidre service this year.. We will begin our Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) observances together with the Rosh HaShana morning service.

The dates and times are:

  • Monday, September 26, 2022: Rosh HaShana. Services begin 10:30 am, with potluck kiddush luncheon following afterward.

  • Tashlich can be introspectively performed at 2:30 at Trout Lake park for any that wish to contemplate the things that we would like to leave behind in the coming year.

  • Wednesday, October 5, 2022: Yom Kippur. Services begin at 10:30 am 

More precise details will follow in the coming days, including information and suggestions for the potluck Rosh HaShana luncheon.

Ahavat Olam welcomes your help in so very many areas, to continue to make our community the inclusive, warm and loving space we have all enjoyed. Please consider:

  • Being present: Please help us make a minyan, and participate in welcoming the new year.

  • Participating in our services: Choose a small portion of High Holiday services, in either Hebrew or English,  prayer or song, reading, a meditation, embracing our common kavannah to engage in the world in this loving way.

  • Reading or chanting Torah: in Hebrew or English, on Rosh HaShana or Yom Kippur morning.

  • Sharing a D’var Torah: your insights and thoughts on the Torah portion, we welcome the opportunity to learn together from each other’s unique and diverse views.

  • Blowing the shofar: during the Rosh HaShana morning service.

  • Helping with food: and utensils for the Rosh HaShana potluck luncheon.

  • Helping clean up: after those joyous communal meals.

  • Greeting people: and handing out prayerbooks at all services.

Please use the sign up sheet https://signup.com/go/fpWTjhw or connect with Sarah Mackenzie sarah@ahavat-olam.ca if you can help in any of these areas.

“Yours is not to complete the entire task, but neither are you free to refrain from it.” (Pirke Avot 2:16)

* Please visit our Food and Ahavat Olam page for suggestions about potluck contributions.