Community gathers for Jewish New Year

By Jennifer Harwood

Peeling the month of August page off the calendar means it’s time for some long awaited events. With September come school days and the coveted Labor Day weekend. For many of Okinawa’s Jewish residents, it’s already time for a new year and a clean slate.

            The small lay-led Jewish congregation at the Camp Foster chapel is ready to welcome members, old and new, to the High Holiday services set to begin on Sept. 8 to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Along with ringing in the Jewish New Year, the group will observe a time of reflection during this millenniums-old tradition.

            “The services are very casual and very family friendly,” said temple member Ilisa Friedman.

            Sixteen years in the military have taught the Friedman family how to seek out the Jewish community when PCSing to a new location. The services on Camp Foster have provided an important connection to their faith during their time on Okinawa, especially for sisters Ellie, 8, and Sophie, 10.

            “It’s important to find other Jewish families so they can feel a sense of identity and community,” Friedman said.

            In addition to

year-round services and social events, the temple puts an emphasis on teaching children about Jewish traditions, holidays

and how to participate in services.

            “We really try to make it educational, so they get something out of it,” said lay leader Dr. Scott Goldberg.

            The school includes lessons with accompanying projects and plays to teach youngsters about their religion. The upcoming curriculum for September includes the Hebrew alphabet.

            “It’s pretty easy to learn it and write it,” Ellie said.

            The congregation is a mixture of retired and enlisted service members, DODDS employees and a few interfaith couples. Goldberg estimates that about 100 Jews live on Okinawa, with usual temple services averaging 25 attendees.

            Regular Friday night Sabbath services are held on the first and third Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The religious school for children ages 5 to 12 meets on the same days at 5 p.m. prior to each service.

 The Jewish High Holiday services will be held in the main chapel on Camp Foster. Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated with an evening service on Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and a morning service the following day at 9:30 a.m.

            Yom Kippur will be observed with three services. The first Yom Kippur service is Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m., continues on Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m., and concludes that evening at 6 p.m.

            “We try to provide a place for other Jews to feel like they are with family, especially on the holidays,” Goldberg said.

            For more information, call 090-3796-5883.