‘As we prepare to enter the Jewish year 5787, may the High Holy Days offer us a time to reflect, reconnect, and renew our sense of purpose. May we draw strength from one another, deepen our connection to our heritage, traditions, and values, and carry forward the hope and resilience that have sustained our people across generations.
Together, may we welcome the new year with open hearts, a renewed commitment to one another, and hope for peace in the year ahead.’
Rabbi Idan Irelander
Please note that all services will be held at the North Parish Unitarian Church, North Andover, unless otherwise noted. Click here for parking and directions.
Participation via Zoom is available for ALL SERVICES, unless otherwise noted.
This year, we will once again be joined by these extraordinary musicians and voices:
Tutti Druyan – Soloist, Amir Milstein – Flutist, Yael Rubinstein – Cellist, Beth Bahia Cohen – Violin, Yayli Tambur, and Ron Druyan -Pianist.
Shirley M. Fountain – Soprano; David Traugot – Tenor; Eliomar Nascimento – Bass/Baritone; Nancy Armstrong – Soprano; Kamala Soparkar – Mezzo. Additional Voices: Sally Mandelbaum and Donna Sack.
Shofar Blower; Truda Bloom.
Saturday, September 5th at 7 pm – OPEN TO ALL
Friday, September 11th at 7 pm – OPEN TO ALL
● Sermon: “Please Don’t Eat That Sheep”
Anthem: “Human Family” (Text: Maya Angelou, Music: Ron Druyan)
Saturday, September 12th
Morning service – 10 am, MEMBERS ONLY
● Sermon: “Standing Together in an Age of anti-Jewish and anti-West activism”
Anthem: “The Prayer”, sung by Tutti Druyan. (David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager, as sung by Celine Dion)
Children’s Service – 3 pm – NO ZOOM, OPEN TO ALL
Tashlich Service – 4:30 pm – NO ZOOM, Stevens Pond, OPEN TO ALL
Sunday, September 13th at 10:00 am
Service at the Shul@1600 – OPEN TO ALL, followed by a community luncheon.
The catered community luncheon is being generously sponsored by Founding Board Member Rita Blanter and her husband, Alexandre Alexyenko, in honor of the birth of their granddaughter, Suzy Charlotte.
Though luncheon reservations have now closed, all are welcome to attend the service.
Planning to attend the service but haven’t registered? For security planning, please email Einat at einatif@gmail.com to let us know you’ll be joining us.
● Sermon: “The Grass Is Greener Where I Water It ”
Anthem: “Coat of Many Colors”, sung by Tutti Druyan. (Dolly Parton)
Sunday, September 20th at 7 pm – MEMBERS ONLY
● Sermon: “Forgiving Others, the Gift We Give to Ourselves”
Anthem: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, sung by Tutti Druyan. (Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)
Monday, September 21st
Morning service – 10 am – MEMBERS ONLY
● Sermon: “Multiple Operating Systems, One Humanity”
Children’s Service – 3 pm – NO ZOOM, OPEN TO ALL
CONTINUOUS ZOOM and OPEN TO ALL for the remainder of the day’s services:
Healing Service – 3:45 pm
Mincha Service & the Book of Jonah Reading– 4:45 pm
The Book of Jonah Speaker on Yom Kippur Mincha – David Shaby
“The Journey Continues: From Tehran to Hope”
Our Book of Jonah speaker, our own congregant David Shaby, will share a very personal journey that, in unexpected ways, echoes Jonah’s own. Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, David grew up as part of a vibrant Jewish community, carrying with him the traditions of his family and the realities of living as a Jew in a Muslim country. His journey eventually brought him to America, but he never left Tehran completely behind. Through memories of his childhood, his family, his Jewish identity, and the uncertainty he faced when leaving Iran, David invites us to consider what we carry with us, what we learn from the places we come from, and how we can transform fear into understanding and uncertainty into hope.
Neilah Service – 5:45 pm
A NOTE ABOUT SECURITY
For the safety and comfort of our community and guests, security measures will be in place throughout our High Holy Days services.
Virtual participation via Zoom is available for most High Holy Day services. Zoom access information will be shared with our congregation through email.
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Our 2026/5787 Yizkor Memorial Book of Remembrance is now available.
Within its pages, we honor and remember the loved ones who remain forever a part of our families, our stories, and our lives. We invite you to view the book as we come together during this High Holy Day season for reflection, remembrance, and prayer.
This High Holy Day season, Congregation Ahavat Olam is collecting clothing and other items to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation New England.
From Friday, September 11 through Friday, September 25, donations may be brought to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, or to any Friday evening or Saturday morning service during the collection period.
Items accepted include:
Clothing • Shoes • Towels • Books • Stuffed Animals • Hats • Belts • Purses • Curtains.
Please place all donations in strong trash bags. Items must be clean, dry, and free of mold.
FINAL DROP-OFF: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Need help getting your donation to the Shul? Contact Susan Yavner at rdgsy@aol.com.
Need a tax receipt? A downloadable receipt for donated goods is available through the Epilepsy Foundation New England.
Thank you to Susan for organizing this opportunity for our CAO community to give back during the High Holy Day season.
In addition to the spectacular, professional musicians displayed above, we were once again privileged to have the following vocal talent join us this year:
CHORUS: Shirley M. Fountain – Soprano, David Traugot – Tenor; Eliomar Nascimento – Bass/Baritone; Nancy Armstrong – Soprano; Kamala Soparkar – Mezzo. ADDITIONAL VOICES for 5786: Sally Mandelbaum, Donna Sack, and Minda Reidy. SHOFAR BLOWER: Truda Bloom
To relive some of this year’s treasured moments, click on the video blocks below.
Kol Nidrei, “Anti-Zionism or Antisemitism? Unmasking the Double Standard”
During this year’s Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei service, Rabbi Idan’s sermon, “Anti-Zionism or Antisemitism? Unmasking the Double Standard,” invites reflection on what it means to uphold truth, identity, and moral clarity as Jewish people in a complicated world.
Sermon by Rabbi Idan Irelander | Musical Anthem: “True Colors” (Recorded by Cyndi Lauper; written by Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly)
🕯️ “In every generation, we remember.”
During our 2025 Yom Kippur service, founding member Kenny Heffron offered a moving reflection on his family’s deep roots at Congregation Ansha Sholum, where his father and grandfather once prayed.
He concluded with the beloved poem “We Remember Them” by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer—a timeless reminder that memory is more than recollection. It is legacy.
Congregation Ahavat Olam’s 2024 HIGH HOLIDAY SEASON was nothing short of an awe-inspiring journey through this exceptionally special time of year for the Jewish Community. Rabbi Idan, with his special magic and warmth, was joined by world-class musical talent.
Brilliant musical performances by: Tutti Druyan, Soloist; Amir Milstein, Flutist; Yael Rubinstein, Cellist, and Ron Druyan, Pianist
Choir, featuring: Shirley M. Fountain – Soprano, David Traugot – Tenor, Eliomar Nascimento – Bass/Baritone, Nancy Armstrong – Soprano, Kamala Soparkar – Mezzo
ADDITIONAL VOICES for 5785: Sally Mandelbaum, Donna Sack, and Minda Reidy.
Relive this special season with a sampling of highlights below.
Rabbi Idan Irelander’s propelling sermon, “The Cracks of Discourse: Lessons from Jewish Tradition and Modern Conflict” from our Kol Nidrei service, was immediately followed by Tutti Druyan’s beautiful performance of ‘October Rain’, (accompanied on piano by Ron Druyan).
Click the button below to access Rabbi Idan’s Kol Nidrei sermon transcript.
Rabbi Idan Irelander’s outstanding sermon, “The Villa in the Jungle: Israel’s Struggle for Identity and Security” from our Rosh Hashanah, Day 1, morning service, immediately followed by Tutti Druyan’s rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘Greatest Love of All’, (accompanied on piano by Ron Druyan).
Click the button below to access Rabbi Idan’s Rosh Hashanah Morning sermon transcript.
Brilliant musical performances by: Tutti Druyan, Soloist; Amir Milstein, Flutist; Yael Rubinstein, Cellist; and Ron Druyan, Pianist. Choir, featuring: Shirley M. Fountain – Soprano, David Traugot – Tenor, Eliomar Nascimento – Bass/Baritone, Nancy Armstrong – Soprano, Kamala Soparkar – Mezzo
Below is a sampling of highlights.
Here is a taste of what Congregation Ahavat Olam’s first official HHD season had to offer. Our High Holiday Services were held at The North Parish of North Andover, Unitarian Church, located at 190 Academy Road, North Andover, MA 01845. We were so very grateful for this gorgeous venue. Early in the preparation process, we quickly realized that the expected attendance at our wonderful starter home, affectionately referred to as the ‘Shul@1600’, would quickly outgrow capacity for the High Holy Day celebrations.
We were honored to have been joined by some of the most incredible artists around today. Tutti Druyan, Soloists; Ron Druyan, Pianist; Amir Milstein, Flutist; Yael Rubinstein, Cellist; and, of course, Rabbi Idan. We are equally honored to welcome a stunning choir of professional singers: Shirley M. Fountain – Soprano, David Traugot – Tenor, Eliomar Nascimento – Bass/Baritone, Nancy Armstrong – Soprano, and Kamala Soparkar – Mezzo.
Click here to visit Congregation Ahavat Olam’s YouTube channel for more videos.
