DaveningEventsVisit Us
Eruv status & mapJoin WhatsApp
Sign In
Mekor Habracha Center City Synagogue
Membership
Kosher Guide
Who We Are
Community
Donate
Donate
All newsletters
Weekly NewsletterSeptember 18, 20261 min read
Weekly NewsletterSeptember 18, 20261 min read

Mekor Habracha Newsletter — Parshat Ha'azinu/Shabbat Shuvah & Yom Kippur 5787

Mekor Habracha Center City Synagogue
 

Shabbat Shuvah & Yom Kippur 5787

September 18 - 21, 2026 · 7 - 10 Tishrei 5787

High Holidays @ Mekor

Schedule of Services

Friday, September 18 (Shabbat Shuvah)
6:47pm Candle Lighting
6:45pm Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv
Shabbat, September 19 (Parshat Ha'azinu — Shabbat Shuvah — 8 Tishrei)
9:15am Morning Services (Shacharit)
6:30pm Mincha followed by Third Meal & Maariv
7:43pm Shabbat Ends / Havdalah
Sunday, September 20 (Erev Yom Kippur — 9 Tishrei)
8:25am Morning Services (Shacharit) with Selichot & Kapparot
2:00pm Mincha (with Al Chet)
6:44pm Candle Lighting
6:45pm Kol Nidrei
Monday, September 21 (Yom Kippur Day — 10 Tishrei)
9:00am Morning Services (Shacharit)
~11:00am Yizkor Memorial Service (approximate)
5:30pm Mincha
6:30pm Neilah (Closing Service)
7:41pm Fast Ends / Shofar / Havdalah

The Center City Eruv is UP!

Please help the Center City Eruv with a donation. And, if you're able, the best way to support the Eruv is to become an eruv-checker. Speak to Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib if you are interested in this opportunity.

For more details on Shabbat zmanim, weekly services, sponsorship opportunities, Mishebeirach requests, and programming, please visit the Mekor website.

Kiddush This Week

Kiddush on Shabbat Shuvah is sponsored by Sunnie and Ken Rosenstein in memory of Sunnie’s parents, Hannah and Ken Sterling. May their memories be for a blessing.

The Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast is sponsored by Yah-el Har-el and Andrés Catalán in honor of Uriel becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Mazal Tov to Uriel, sisters Elia and Aloma, and the entire family!

The Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast is also sponsored by Rachel Glyn in loving memory of her mother, Florence Handman, whose Yahrzeit was the 9th of Tishrei. May her neshama have an aliyah.

We greatly appreciate all of the contributions and gestures, great and small, that make Mekor the inclusive and welcoming community that we are.

We are especially thankful to those who sponsor, set up, and clean up our Shabbat dinners, kiddush, and third meal. Thank you for all of your help!

Yom Kippur Seats & Mekor Membership

High Holiday reservations are now closed. If you still need seats for Yom Kippur, please contact the shul directly. Mekor members attend free of charge and receive reduced guest prices. Every attendee, including every member, must reserve in advance to have a seat held. Guest, non-member, and student reservations are also available.

CONTACT THE SHUL FOR SEATS JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP

Lulav & Etrog Pickup

Lulav and Etrog sets will be labeled and available for pickup in the shul hallway after Yom Kippur, during the Break-the-Fast and up until Sukkot whenever the shul is open.

Mekor, BZBI, and Shtiebel Sukkah Hop 2026

Everyone is welcome to join our Sukkah Hop on Shabbat, September 26 (first day of Sukkot) from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, in partnership with BZBI and South Philly Shtiebel. Go at your leisure anytime between 2:00pm and 5:00pm and visit as many sukkot as you would like. Maps will be available.

If you would like to host community members in your sukkah, please sign up by Sunday, September 20. Hosts should be home by 2:00pm and provide simple kosher snacks or treats (no full meal needed). Please note any accessibility details on the form.

Host sign up deadline: Sunday, September 20

SIGN UP TO HOST A SUKKAH

Help Build the Mekor Sukkah

We will be putting up the shul sukkah on either Tuesday evening, September 22, or Wednesday evening, September 23, depending on volunteer availability. If you can lend a hand, please sign up on WhatsApp or email the shul at admin@mekorhabracha.org.

Simchat Torah Lunch at Mekor

Join us at Mekor Habracha for Simchat Torah Lunch immediately following Hakafot on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Lunch will be dairy with pareve options catered by Green Bowl in Lakewood.

Pricing:
• Members: $18
• Non-Members: $25
• Children (under 8): $5
• Sponsorship (named or anonymous): At least $72 in addition to the meal cost

Payment can be sent via Venmo to @Mekor-Habracha. For questions, please reach out to Rabbi Gotlib at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org or the Events Committee at events@mekorhabracha.org.

Sign Up for Simchat Torah Lunch

Youth Programs: Mini Minyan & Shmuel Alef

Mini Minyan: Mini Minyan will be held every Shabbat. Mini Minyan starts around 10:20am and is for anyone in elementary through middle school.

Shmuel Aleph Class: Shmuel Alef will meet this Shabbat at 3:00pm. It is for 6th to 8th graders. Contact Yoella Epstein at yoella.epstein@gmail.com for location info.

Center City Eruv Campaign Update

The Center City Eruv fundraising campaign has been postponed until after the High Holidays. Donations are still welcome and may be made at:

Support the Center City Eruv campaign

Thank you for your continued support of the Center City Eruv.

SUPPORT THE CENTER CITY ERUV
Mekor's Tot Shabbat — join us twice a month for parsha, songs, and stories

Klezmer Benefit for Ukrainian Children

Join Common Man for Ukraine for a Klezmer Benefit Concert for Ukrainian Children on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at KleinLife JCC.

Learn more and register.

Donations to Mekor

We deeply appreciate donations -- large and small -- to help support our shul. To make your contribution, please use this link.

Support of Israel: Events & Initiatives

In addition to the information below, please visit our new Support of Israel website page for announcements about initiatives online and across the greater Philadelphia Jewish community, all in support of Israel. See our newest entries about how you can support civil defense efforts in Israel.

Flag of Israel

To view the latest prayer for the welfare of soldiers of the IDF and all victims of terror click here.

Divrei Torah

Click here to read Rabbi Hirsch's latest Torah articles on Substack.

Click here to read Rabbi Gotlib's latest articles on Substack.

Sunnie Epstein's weekly Divrei Torah on the Parshiot HaShavuah can be found on YouTube here.

Weekdays at Mekor

Daily Minyan

We welcome everyone to join us for a Minyan, whether it's once a week or every weekday!

Please email the Shul to RSVP or to join the Minyan WhatsApp group. RSVPs are appreciated.

Morning and evening weekday services are followed by a brief halachic insight by Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib. Amud Yomi follows most morning services.

Weekday Services

Weekday & Holiday Services: September 18 to 22

Friday, September 18

6:45am Morning Services followed by Selichot

Sunday, September 20 (Erev Yom Kippur)

8:25am Morning Services (Shacharit) with Selichot & Kapparot

2:00pm Mincha (with Al Chet)

6:44pm Candle Lighting

6:45pm Kol Nidrei

Monday, September 21 (Yom Kippur Day)

9:00am Morning Services (Shacharit)

~11:00am Yizkor Memorial Service (approximate)

5:30pm Mincha

6:30pm Neilah (Closing Service)

7:41pm Fast Ends / Shofar / Havdalah

Tuesday, September 22

6:50am Morning Services

6:45pm Mincha / Maariv*

*Weekday Mincha and Mincha/Maariv are held when there is sufficient interest. Please email the Shul or use the Minyan WhatsApp group for confirmation.

Volunteers Needed at Mekor

Volunteers Needed

We all benefit from the wonderful work done by Mekor volunteers! Please consider helping out with the following initiatives:

  • Join the Kiddush (setup) Committee
  • Join the Hospitality Committee
  • Make cholent for Kiddush. Erik will teach you how to make the special Mekor Habracha recipe! Please contact Erik Schneiman @ erik.schneiman@gmail.com
  • Be a Mashgiach for IKC establishments
  • Be an Eruv Checker

Training will be provided for all positions.

Please email the Shul for info about volunteering!

Like what you see?

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Subscribe
Twitter Facebook Website Instagram

Klezmer Benefit Concert for Ukrainian Children

Sunday, October 11 at KleinLife JCC

Join the community for a special benefit concert supporting Ukrainian children. For full details and registration, please visit the Klezmer Benefit concert registration page.

Community Bulletin Board

Participate in our Shul Community — View our Bulletin Board.

Open the Bulletin Board

Membership  ·  Donate  ·  Davening  ·  Bulletin Board

Copyright © 2026 Mekor Habracha, All rights reserved.

Mekor Habracha / Center City Synagogue

1500 Walnut St. Suite 206, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Newer issueMekor Habracha Newsletter: Sukkot I & II (Shabbat & Sunday) 5787Older issueMekor Habracha Newsletter - Rosh Hashanah 5787
Center City Synagogue

Mekor Habracha

A vibrant Modern Orthodox community in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia.

(215) 525-4246

admin@mekorhabracha.org

1500 Walnut St Suite 206, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Support MekorPlan a Visit

Connect With Mekor

Follow the life of the community

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Loading verification...

Past Newsletters

Read the weekly Mekor archive.

Instagram

Photos and announcements.

YouTube

Classes, talks, and event videos.

Facebook Group

Community updates and discussion.

Copyright ©2026 by Mekor Habracha Synagogue
Hebrew dateLoading...