Accessible mahzor
We were happy to read about the MetroWest ABLE grant to Congregation Beth Hatikvah in Summit (“MetroWest Journal”) and the wonderful article on the new mahzorim published by the Rabbinical Assembly (“Shuls to introduce new holy days prayer book”) in the June 10 issue.
Adath Shalom in Morris Plains would like to add our voice to the growing excitement over the new High Holy Day prayer book, Mahzor Lev Shalem.
We are thrilled to have received several generous donations from our members, and we quickly ordered the new prayer book to use at High Holy Days services this September. We had many choices of mahzorim, and chose the new mahzor because it is egalitarian, modern, accessible to people of varying experience and facility with Hebrew, and highly participatory.
Both lay leadership and clergy are excited about the new prayer book and eager to delve into its writings and interpretive passages.
Rabbi Mark Biller and Cantor Jack Korbman have embraced the new formats and are integrating them into our High Holy Day planning and service structure. We are donating our old mahzorim to other synagogues.
In partnership with our ritual committee, Larry Appel, chair of the building and grounds committee (and now executive vice president), wrote our grant application to MetroWest ABLE to purchase the large-print mahzor, and we are grateful that we have received this grant. MetroWest ABLE has enabled us to open our services to all and empowered us to look at our shul with eyes that are more aware of creating new avenues for accessibility to our programs and services. This program supports our mission of creating a “welcoming community,” and we thank MetroWest ABLE for enhancing the comfort of our members at High Holy Day services.
Thank you for highlighting Mahzor Lev Shalem. We have been sharing the updated prayer book with our congregants and they are impressed with its teachings, layout, and ease of use.
Barbara Davis
President, Adath Shalom
Morris Plains
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