Since our full-page advertisement came out two weeks ago in the Jewish Post and News, announcing FREE High Holy Day seats for members, many people have reached out to us to express gratitude for this gesture. Our Board of Directors felt it was important to clarify at this time why, when so many congregations use the High Holy Days as an opportunity to raise critical funds for their operating budgets, we would sacrifice this important opportunity.

We need to take a step back to clarify what our raison d’être, reason for being really is. If we look at our mission statement as a congregation, we are “a centre for Conservative Judaism that welcomes the community to experience spiritual growth, continuing education and the enrichment of life cycle events.” Welcoming our community and enabling our congregants to experience Jewish life and spirituality are key elements of our mission.

As a people, we gather to celebrate the festivals and life cycle events. We come together for Moadim, times of gathering whenever we pray, celebrate, and mourn. We require a minimum of 10 people, to feel surrounded and supported in these moments.

In our Jewish tradition prayer, rejoicing, and mourning are not meant to take place alone but rather in community. When we gather to pray our prayer is not selfish, for ourselves alone, but for our people as a whole and for the inhabitants of this planet that we share. We support each other in our moments of joy and in our moments of pain.

Not being able to gather as a community has been painful. The pandemic with the isolation it brought and being out of our home during the renovation are situations that have created a sense of yearning in each of us to come together. If ever there was a time to focus on the importance of gathering, now is that time.

Our bold gesture to encourage your return by offering FREE seats to members is also a call to action, to you, that you are needed and wanted. The Board of Directors, Ritual Team and Staff of Congregation Shaarey Zedek is very grateful to you, our congregation, for your patience and support as we prepare our new home. We want to show you that membership has value and that your commitment counts. Whereas we will be extremely grateful for donations towards our High Holy Days, your in-person participation is a huge testament to your support.

Non-members can earn free seats by volunteering to attend Minyan services during the summer months. More information about this opportunity is launching soon. Sign up for more details at www.szwinnipeg.ca/FREE. We also welcome non-members to join Shaarey Zedek — we have affordable and flexible membership rates and payment plans — we will work with you! Contact Dr Rena Secter Elbaze, Interim Executive Director, at 204-975-3489 or rena@szwinnipeg.ca to learn more.

We are very excited about our program for this year's High Holy Days and are excited to announce the venue of the Asper Jewish Community Campus, 123 Doncaster Street. Our community centre offers the perfect backdrop for our Main Service and Family Service as well as any other programming that will take place. In the coming weeks we will be providing more details with regards to the content, special guests, and opportunities for congregational participation.

Please visit www.szwinnipeg.ca/FREE to receive updates and more details as they are available including the start date to register for your FREE seats.