WATERLOO - For people of the Jewish faith, the season of penitence is right around the corner.

The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, 10 days dedicated to reflection, repentance and forgiveness, begins Monday evening. The congregation at Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Waterloo invites the public to attend religious services, a concert and an exhibit.

This year, a classically trained mezzo soprano and musical theater actress will serve as Sons of Jacob's High Holy Day cantor. Susanne Katchko is considered an expert in Jewish liturgy and fills her performances with lyricism, humor and an appreciation for music and cultures, according to organizers.

"So for us it's really a treat, if you can imagine so," said Bobbi Kazenelson, a member of Sons of Jacob.

In addition to helping Sons of Jacob's Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum lead High Holy Day services, Katchko will give a special Jewish music concert at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5. The concert, as well as all other services, is free and open to the public.

The tradition of Rosh Hashana, considered the beginning of a new year, allows Jewish people to devote 10 days to "spiritual stock-keeping" to reflect on their deeds of the past year, Rabbi Rosenbaum said. While Judaism teaches that all humans have a "spark of the divine," people often make bad choices and head down the wrong path. Rosh Hashana, which ends Oct. 8 this year, with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, offers a process for repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, the rabbi said.

The contrite should recognize their wrongdoing, feel remorse, compensate for the error, restore the relationship and resolve to avoid repeating the same mistake, Rabbi Rosenbaum said. Condemnation and shame, however, is not the end goal.

"Don't let this destroy your life," Rabbi Rosenbaum said. "You need to make a fresh beginning."

Through Nov. 5, Sons of Jacob Synagogue will also house an edition of the Passover Haggadah illustrated by Arthur Szyk, as well as 12 plates of the artist's work. Although the Haggadah is text read during the Passover seder service, a springtime tradition, members of Sons of Jacob said they are pleased to display the artwork during another important holiday. The Szyk exhibit is on loan from the University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art.

Rosh Hashana services at Sons of Jacob will be at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday evenings; and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Yom Kippur's Kol Nidrei service will be at 6 p.m. and morning services at 9 a.m. Concluding services resume at 5 p.m. A break-the-fast meal will be served following the sound of the shofar at the end of the services.

Sons of Jacob is located at 411 E. Mitchell Ave. in Waterloo.

Contact Karen Heinselman

at (319) 291-1581 or

karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.