High Holy Days

As your Jewish home and family in the South Valley, we welcome all to join us as together we celebrate and observe these special Holy days. We offer a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of our diverse community.  Please see the schedule below for a list of dates and times. 

Joining Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz to lead our 5786 High Holy Day services will be Cantor Edward Robin, accompanied by Ian Solomon.

Cantor Robin grew up in Santa Monica and began studying music at a young age. Influenced by a musically rich family, he explored a wide range of styles, including opera, musical theatre, jazz, and pop.He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from California State University, Northridge in 1972, with a minor in business. In 1985, he began singing in synagogues throughout the Los Angeles area, and in 1991 began serving as cantor sheini for the High Holy Days at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge—a role he held for 18 years. In 2000, he co-produced and performed on the cantorial music CD "Wings of the Heart."

In 2005, Cantor Robin entered the Academy for Jewish Religion California, where he was ordained as a cantor in 2010. He continues to tutor B’nai Mitzvah students, officiate weddings and funerals, and lead services with Rabbi Stan Levy and Rabbi Laura Owens at B’nei Horin in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Andrea, are frequent travelers, with family members living near Jerusalem.

Ian Solomon was born in South Africa and schooled there as well as in London, UK. He lectured classical music history (harmony & counterpoint) at the University of Natal and also at Springfield College of Education. After immigrating to the USA, he completed teaching credentials in Music and Language Arts at San Jose State University. He has had a number of original compositions published in Musications and the University of Pretoria Press in South Africa. He teaches and works part-time as an accompanist and writes novels (two commercially published so far) and short stories as a hobby.

This year for Kol Nidre, we are also pleased to welcome cellist Janet Witharm. Janet is a member of Symphony San Jose and serves as the Principal Cellist for West Bay Opera and the Music in the Mountains Festival orchestra. Much of her career has revolved around her passion for playing and teaching chamber music, and we know you will enjoy this wonderful addition to our service.

Access to all of the High Holy Day events and services are included in Emeth membership. We request that those who are not members RSVP  to admin@emeth.net, so you can find out how to attend in person or online, including donations or cost of attendance (first time attendees are free). We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

Donations can be made through this “Donate” link, or by sending a check to Congregation Emeth at 17835 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.

If you are currently a member of Emeth, you will receive additional information for the services by email.

We look forward to sharing wonderful and meaningful High Holy Days together!  Come home to Congregation Emeth!

2025 High Holy Days Schedule (through Simchat Torah)

• Saturday, September 13, Selichot, 7:00 PM
• Monday, September 22: Erev Rosh Hashanah Family Service, 5:00 PM; Erev Rosh Hashanah Services, 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, September 23: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service, 10:00 AM
  • Tashlich, following the morning service at Anderson County Park, Live Oak entrance by the bridge
• Wednesday, October 1: Kol Nidre, 7:30 PM
• Thursday, October 2: Yom Kippur, 10:00 AM Morning Services
  • Adult Learning following morning services
  • Healing Service, 3:30 PM
  • Yizkor Service, 4:30 PM 
  • Concluding Services, Mincha and N’eila, 5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 5: Build the Sukkah, 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, October 8: Divas who Dine in the Sukkah, 6:00 PM
• Friday, October 10: Shabbat Services and Dinner in the Sukkah, 6:30 PM
• Sunday, October 12: Simchat Torah celebration,  3:00 PM

If you would like to join services by zoom, you may wish to purchase a Machzor here.