Each year, Jews turn to the internet to connect with the global Jewish community. Some do so to gain knowledge through articles, web videos and educational services. Others use the web to connect with chat rooms and stay in touch with friends.
This year, several Reform congregations have taken the use of the internet one step further by broadcasting their Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Individuals can experience Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services without leaving their house or office via a variety of online media, including web video and streaming internet radio.
Reform Services on the Web
The idea of broadcasting Jewish services is admittedly a Reform concept, since Orthodox halacha forbids operating a video recorder or other electric or digital equipment during a religious service. But the opportunity to see and participate in services via various forms of streaming media opens the door to High Holiday events for an even greater sector of the Jewish population. Individuals confined to bed, caregivers and military serving abroad now have a way to celebrate Judaism’s two most significant holy days.
Additionally, some sites allow the services to be downloaded for later viewing, or access the event after it has been added to the site’s archives.
The following are four congregations that are using online media to reach out to the global Jewish community.
OurJewishCommunity.org, Cincinnati, OH
Temple Beth Adam began offering an online broadcast of their High Holy Day services in 2008. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the congregation supports a popular site called OurJewishCommunity.org, which provides a live portal to its services on Shabbat and holidays.
Viewers can “join in” the services at the designated hour, or access an archived version via their online library. The broadcasts are free, and transcripts of the “machzor” are available online. Individuals can also link up while on the go using their iPod, iPhone Blackberry or other mobile devices by going to MobileServices.com.
Temple Beth El, Hollywood FL
Temple Beth El in Hollywood, Florida is one of the newest synagogues to broadcast its services by streaming video, but the services have already received a grateful response from viewers in other parts of the country.
Unfortunately, there is no archive of previous recordings on the site at the moment, so viewers will want to check the site for the exact time that the service starts and be ready to watch at that time. The temple also provides a helpful printed overview of the High Holiday traditions that can be downloaded in pdf format.
Temple Israel, Miami FL
Temple Israel in Miami Florida provides a streaming audio link to its Shabbat and High Holy Day services. While there is no video available, the audio captures the true flavor and traditions of the holy days. For those who aren’t able to be present at the time of the live streaming, the synagogue maintains an archive of past services on its site.
Congregation Emanu-El, NYC
Congregation Emanu-El in New York City has been breaking the mold for some years. Its audio broadcasts, which until this year were only available on conventional local radio or as archived recordings, are now streamed live. Known for its majestic choral music and beautiful orchestration, the synagogue’s High Holy Day services have been heard around the world since 1995 (and via radio since 1945). In 2010 the synagogue moved its radio broadcasts to the online site Live365.com.
Listeners can now hear the service by clicking on the online radio icon on the synagogue’s website, launching Emanu-El’s online player, or accessing the digital archive, which are all located on the same page. As in previous years, the recording is available online for approximately 7 days and then is replaced by the next week’s recording.
An inevitable downside of virtual attendance is the challenge of having the right “machzor” (prayer book) available. OurJewishCommunity.org remedies this problem by including a printed version of the prayers and songs that viewers can purchase in pdf format from the site. But for those who can’t attend synagogue in person and simply want to hear or watch the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, the opportunities these programs provide still can’t be beat.
Readers may also enjoy The Mitzvah to Hear the Shofar Blowing and More Synagogues are Offering Jews Free Services for Rosh Hashanah
Sources:
- Ourjewishcommunity.org
- Templebethelhollywood.org
- Templeisreal.net
- Emanuelnyc.org
- Bethadam.org
Jan Lee - Jan Lee has been writing for online and print publications for more than 20 years and have been published in five countries.
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