NEWTOWN – Following Shabbat morning services on Dec. 7, Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown will mark the first anniversary of the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook School shooting with a traditional Jewish memorial service. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m.; the memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. and will include traditional liturgy and memorial readings, as well as a reading of the names of each of the children and educators lost.

The service will be officiated by the Conservative congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Shaul Praver, who will be joined by Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray of Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield.

“We welcome all who wish to commemorate, participate or simply observe this Jewish ceremony,” said Praver, adding, “we have chosen to hold this service on Dec. 7 rather than on Dec. 14 because we are following the Hebrew date of the anniversary.”

“Parents will have the option to choose whether they want their young children with them in the sanctuary, or not, during this emotional time,” says the synagogues education director Lynne Weiner, who is coordinating child-friendly activities in a separate part of the building during the service.

Twenty-six children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook School on Dec. 14, 2012. Twenty-four of the victims are pictured here.

In keeping with the Jewish tradition of giving charity, and in line with Newtown’s First Selectwoman Pat Llodra’s directive that anniversary programming focus upon compassionate acts of kindness and service to the broader community, the synagogue will collect funds to donate to the ongoing rescue efforts in the Philippines. Checks should be made out to the American Jewish World Service, with the notation ”Philippines” in the memo section.

The Adath Israel is located at 115 Huntingtown Road. For information call (203) 426-5188 or email office@congadathisrael.org.