High Holy Days

The Fall High Holy days are the highlight of the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, ten days later, are the most sacred days of the year. Our High Holy day services and programs invite reflection, renewal and awareness. Our services are held in our sanctuary and led by our Rabbis and volunteer members of the synagogue. Our mahzor, the special High Holy days prayerbook, was created at Beth El and incorporates traditional Hebrew texts and modern English poems and readings on the themes of the liturgy, along with English transliteration of all Hebrew prayers. Congregational singing and participation are a core part of our practice.

In order to accommodate everyone we offer two different services on the High Holy days: the Early service is shorter and emphasizes English readings and features folk and contemporary musical settings; the Late service honors the historical liturgy and features the timeless music of the High Holy days. Both Early and Late morning services include alternative programs for school age children; Tot Services, Youth Services and Family Services are offered on each day. Please see the complete schedule of all our High Holy Day services. 

A highlight of Rosh Hashanah afternoon is the Tashlich service when we symbolically empty our pockets of last year’s dust and toss crumbs into the stream to be carried out to the sea. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, our services are more formal and followed by a pot-luck lunch.

After the morning services on Yom Kippur day, members offer a variety of study and discussion groups in the afternoon. The Yizkor memorial service and Ne’ilah concluding service conclude the day; after Havdalah, marking the end of the sacred day, we break the fast together in the Social Hall.