Shalom TV cable network to broadcast holiday services

For the first time on national cable television, High Holiday services will be carried across the country on Shalom TV, the free Video on Demand Jewish cable network.

Designed for those unable to attend a synagogue service, the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur congregational programs begin airing on Shalom TV the week of Sept. 5. The High Holiday services will be available online as well at www.shalomtv.com.

The services were filmed in Connecticut at chavurah services led by Rabbi Mark S. Golub, president of Shalom TV.

Because Shalom TV benefits by being Video On Demand, different parts of the services are being presented as individual programs and the viewer can choose to watch whichever portions of the service are of interest: liturgy, Torah readings, Shofar service on Rosh HaShana, Kol Nidre, Yizkor Memorial Service, Ne’ilah and Martyrology on Yom Kippur, as well as any of Rabbi Golub’s own sermons.

The programs are geared to promote participation by the viewer. “Whenever there is congregational participation, the Hebrew will be on the screen for our viewers to read, along with transliteration and the English translation,” Rabbi Golub said.

“Of course, no television service can ever replace an actual service,” said Rabbi Golub. “Wherever possible, one should share the New Year in song, prayer, meditation and commitment with a living and breathing community. But if one is unable to attend an actual service, we hope our programming will be of some comfort and enable a viewer to feel a bond with the rest of the Jewish people.”

Rabbi Golub describes his services as “alternative and eclectic,” rather than stereotypical of a service in a mainstream synagogue.

There is no cantor or choir and most of the liturgy is sung by the congregation, including the Kol Nidre prayer on Yom Kippur Eve.

Shalom TV is available at no additional charge, usually on “on demand” cable channels. In the Tampa Bay area, it is carried on Bright House, Channel 360; Verizon Fios, Channel 900 and Comcast, Channel 1.