Chicago's historic Germania Place will, for the first time, welcome the Jewish New Year when it hosts High Holiday services for the Lubavitch Chabad of the Loop, Gold Coast and Lincoln Park when Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday September 29. And while the venue is new, Chabad's mission is the same: to welcome all Jews to celebrate the New Year.
"You don't need a ticket to come worship with us," said Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun, Chabad director. "We don't have fees, we don't have dues, we don't have membership requirements. It's the New Year - year 5769 - and the holiest time for Jews all over the world. And we say if you need a place to come to pray, reflect and celebrate, then Chabad is for you."
Germania Place provides a historic and exquisite location for Rosh Hashanah, which starts at sundown on September 29 and ends on Wednesday, October 1, and then also for Yom Kippur on October 8 and 9.. Built in 1888, Germania Place is a National Registry Historic Building that is recognized for its lavish ballrooms, superb stained glass and sumptuous fixtures. With 35-foot high ceilings, gilded domes, original crystal chandeliers and 20 foot arched windows, it is a truly unique setting for High Holiday services.
"We are so fortunate to provide this dramatic setting for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which will offer added inspiration to the sanctity of the holidays," Rabbi Benhiyoun said.
During the High Holidays Rabbi Benhiyoun will talk about the relationship between the individual and the community, or the whole and the part.
"While the whole is made up of the parts, each part must also be whole. If one part is blemished, the whole is also blemished. So in our world where we must deal with very big issues, it is also true that one small act can affect many people. Remember to give recognition to the importance of the small act or word or thought and understand the effect they can have. And it is important to be mindful of the moment -- that any one deed or thought can start a chain reaction of good things," he said.
For more information about Chabad's services, please call 312.427.7770 or email chabad@centerforjewishlife.com.
ABOUT LUBAVITCH CHABAD OF THE LOOP, GOLD COAST AND LINCOLN PARK
Lubavitch Chabad of the Loop, Gold Coast and Lincoln Park is a nonprofit outreach organization committed to reawakening Jewish Life within a person. Its work is geared to building healthier communities. It is an inclusive organization without regard to a person's background, affiliation or level of observance. All donations to Chabad are tax-deductible.