Machzor Campaign

We are delighted to inform you that Board of PSC has approved a transition from our current high-holiday prayer book, the 1972 Harlow Machzor, to Mazhor Lev Shalem a 2010 USCJ (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) volume.  We are encouraging each PSC member to support this project by committing to purchase a minimum of one volume for the community at $54.

With sponsored volumes, your friends and family can enjoy the communal exchanging of family volumes for davening – sponsor today.  We look forward to your most generous participation. If you purchase a book for HOME use, the office will notify you when your book is ready for pick-up at the office.

Note: Please enter information for each Machzor individually, then click on the "Add to Cart" button. This will display your PayPal shopping cart. Then click on the "Continue Shopping" button to return and add additional books or enter a donation amount.

Donation Amount:
$54
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Commemoration:
In honor/memory/recognition of:
Sponsored by:
         
Additional Donation Amount:

 

FAQ for Machzor Lev Shalem

Why aren’t we updating the Siddurim first?

  • Although the Siddurim are in need of replacement, there is not a great option for updating them with a single volume text today. However, we anticipate that the Conservative movement will release a new Siddur in the next two years. We prefer to wait for an updated single volume Siddur as a replacement. RPC has already budgeted for this effort in the 5-year plan.

Isn’t the current Machzor new?

  • The current Machzor (Harlow, 1972), has been used for approximately 30 years at PSC – our oldest nameplates date back to 1981.

Will we be the one of the 1st communities on the Peninsula to use Machzor Lev Shalem?

  • No, Machzor Lev Shalem has been widely adopted, with nearby Conservative synagogues having already adopted it for 5772 (2011) high-holiday services: Congregation Beth Jacob, Congregation Kol Emet, and Congregation Beth David.

Why should I sponsor a volume?

  • It is a legacy gift that provides joy every high-holiday season. If your family has sponsored volumes in the current machzorim, you already know the warmth that you feel when an usher or congregant hand you "your" volume. Sponsored volumes enable friends and family to enjoy the communal exchanging of volumes at high-holiday services – join the cammraderie now.

What does the Religious Practices Committee think about the new machzor?

  • We unanimously LOVE it because it
    • Is handsome with a tan color and nice heft,
    • Is accessible for those with limited Hebrew skills (more transliteration) – every Amidah is translated,
    • Provides more complete information for the traditionalist,
    • Provides both Sephardic and Ashkenazi tradition,
    • Provides passages of patriarchs only AND patriarachs plus matriarchs
    • Includes much easier to read Shabbat notations (red instead of light purple)
  • An excellent review of the Mahzor Lev Shalem by Rabbi Neil Gillman can be found here.
  • RPC has purchased a few volumes, so please ask at the office if you would like to look at one.

I have sponsored nameplates in the current Harlow volumes, may I transfer those nameplates?

  • Yes, we encourage those families with nameplates in the current machzorim to transfer those nameplates to new books at a discounted rate. If you have current nameplates, a custom order form will be sent to you to allow you to select which nameplates you wish to transfer.

How many nameplates are associated with current families?

  • We estimate that 256 nameplates are associated with 62 different current families.

Why is there a cost to transfer current nameplates into new books?

  • Even though the current nameplates have already been donated, the donations were used to offset the cost of the Harlow volume. In order to put a nameplate in a new book, we must first pay for a new book. The discounted $36 price helps to offset the cost of the new books needed for transfers.

Why must we purchase one new book at the full price before transferring any nameplates?

  • In order to successfully raise enough money to have enough books to celebrate the upcoming high holidays with Machzor Lev Shalem, we need every family to contribute by purchasing ONE book minimum.

What are the goals and timing of the Machzor campaign?

  • We kicked off the campaign on April 29th 2012 at the congregational meeting. We anticipate fund-raising over 10 weeks with a minimum goal of $15,000 in order to order the books on July 11th 2012. We anticipate davening with our newly sponsored books this high-holiday season (Erev Rosh Hashanah is September 17, 2012).

Are there any suggested commemorations?

  • In honor of Rabbi Helfand's 1st Year
  • In honor of Doron and Joceyln's engagement (or wedding)

Who can answer more detailed questions?