Selichot: A night of tefillah and music

The Jewish community will join together for a combined virtual Havdalah and Selichot service at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. This service, which traditionally takes place on the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, marks the official beginning of the Season of Awe and helps individuals spiritually prepare for the High Holy Days. The contemplative service will be led by area clergy and musicians and consists of introspective and inspiring readings, prayers and music.

A spiritually inspiring virtual Selichot concert of High Holy Day-themed music will follow this year’s community Selichot service and will feature 12 area musicians, some of whom will present original musical pieces they composed. The Selichot concert is being produced locally and will be available for viewing online after the service and remain posted for viewing the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah.

Concert vocalists include: Hazzan Tahl Ben Yehuda, Rachel Black, Becky Bliss, Michelle Cox, Carmen Dieker, Coleen Dieker, Laura Payne, Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Linda Salvay, Warren Sickel, Emily Tummons and Lezlie Zucker.

To ensure the safety of all participants, this year’s program will be entirely virtual using the platform Zoom. To receive your online link to the service, register by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at www.kcrabbi.org/event/selichot-2020.

Visit www.kcrabbi.org for information about Selichot or contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association administrator,  or 913-327-4622.

The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City sponsors the Selichot program in collaboration with area congregations and generous support from The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.