The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation will be ushering in the first in-person High Holidays services since COVID in a remarkable fashion. Rabbi Rayzel Raphael, an ordained rabbi, artist, author, and singer/songwriter of Jewish songs, prayer, and liturgy, will shake things up a bit as she guides the congregation in welcoming in the year 5783.
Rabbi Raphael boasts numerous degrees in Jewish studies, including a Master of Arts degree in Contemporary Jewish Studies from Brandeis University, as well as a number of honorary doctorate degrees. She was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA, and since then has received awards and recognition from multiple institutions in the U.S., Canada and Israel. She has been the rabbi at a number of congregations, as well as a guest rabbi leading High Holiday services around the U.S. But what makes Rabbi Raphael so special is both the way she has channeled her creativity into her work and her focus on women in Judaism.
Her rabbinical goal is to bring as much joy to Judaism as she can muster—a goal well-achieved as evidenced by her musical credits and artistic focus. As a performer, the rabbi has many credits to her name She wrote, directed and produced The Kabbalah—The Musical, an interactive production, as well as Bible Babes a Beltin’, an album of original songs focusing on women in the Jewish canon. She is also a member of a vocal group, MIRAJ,for which she has won two awards fororiginal songs. She has released several CDs of her original music and frequently performs in live venues.
Rabbi Rafael is not only sought after for her musical talents, but she is a frequent lecturer on the Kabbalah and Jewish feminist issues and has twice been the recipient of The Stein Award for Jewish Women’s Studies. If that is not enough, she has published two children’s books and offers workshops on creating hand-painted silk tallitt.
For the first in-person High Holiday services since COVID, it promises to be a unique experience this year for all who attend.
High Holy Day Service Schedule
Sunday, September 25, Erev Rosh Hashanah 6PM
Monday, September 26, Rosh Hashanah 10AM
Tuesday, September 27, Tashlich 10AM—email for location. LCJCAC@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 4, Kol Nidre 6PM
Wednesday, October 5, Yom Kippur 10AM and 4PM
Tickets for nonmembers can be purchased at the synagogue on September 4 at 2PM and at Pranzo’s on September 13 and 20 at 1PM. Purchase price is 1,000 pesos and can be put towards membership dues of 6,000 pesos. Renewal membership must be paid by September 15 to receive free tickets.
For more information about Lake Chapala visit: www.chapala.com
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