High Holy Days

High Holy Day Rules & Guidelines
Religious Activities Committee

Services

There is no charge to members in good standing for seats at the High Holy Days. Congregants may purchase additional High Holy Day tickets so that non-local family that are not members may also attend these services. Children of congregants, who are students and 25 years of age or younger, are not required to purchase a High Holy Day ticket. Children of congregants over 25 years of age wishing to attend High Holy Day services must either purchase a guest ticket or join the Synagogue as a Single Member.

Children's Programs

These programs run concurrently during High Holy Day services in the school wing: Because of space constraints, unregistered children will not be allowed to participate in the programs. We are sorry, but we cannot and will not accept walk-ins.

Torah for Tots (ages 3 - 7)
This free program is designed to give the children a positive learning experience by introducing them to the blessings that pertain to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

3 & 4 year olds
5, 6, & 7 years		  11 am - 11:55 am
12:05 pm - 1 pm

Pre-register for Torah for Tots (free)
(required if not enrolled in childcare)
Parent/Guardian:
Children: [ name(s) and age(s) ]

E-mail address:
Phone #s - Day:   Evening:

Baby Sitting (ages 1 - 7)       Registration Form
The program is held in the religious/nursery school wing, where children are grouped by age.

We recommend that children attending our programs dress comfortably. This allows your children to enjoy the program as they romp and play. Weather permitting, they will have supervised playtime on the playground.

For reasons of kashrut, you are asked not to bring your own food. We will provide all snacks and a dairy lunch. Exceptions will be made only for baby food and formula. This rule is strictly enforced.

PHONE CALLS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ENROLLMENT.

All fees cover childcare expenses including snacks, lunch, and babysitters.

Junior Congregation (ages 7 - 12)
This abbreviated service is held on the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur between 11 am and 1 pm.

You do NOT need to enroll your child in Junior Congregation!

Children under seven years old will not be admitted into Junior Congregation services, even if accompanied by an adult.

top

High Holy Days Committee

The committee is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing the ritual aspects of observing and celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. The Committee seeks input regarding congregants who have contributed their resources to the synagogue and/or the community.

Approximately 1/3rd of the congregation receives an honor each year according to the following criteria:

  • Current year members of the Board of Directors
  • Current year Executive Board members not coming back for another year
  • Cohane Aliyot and Leviim Aliyot are assigned to each tribe, respectively
  • Torah honors (Yisrael Aliyot, Lifting, Wrapping, Holding, Reading, and Gabaiim) and Chanting Haftarah are given to those selected to receive a high honor.
  • New members
  • Past Presidents and the Current Executive Board each hold a Torah during Kol Nidre Recitation.
  • The U.S.Y. leads Ashrei
  • The Cantor honors congregants by asking them to assist in leading services.
  • Shofar Blowers are assigned to those who can.
  • Previous year's B'nai Mitzvah students are honored during Havdallah Services.

    • If a congregant does not show up at the front of the sanctuary, closest to the ramp, at the designated time, (one or two pages before they actually need to be on the bima), those honors are quickly filled at the discretion of the Religious Activity Committee Ushers.

    Tisha B'av

    Lights in the synagogue are dimmed, candles are lit, and the curtain is removed from the Ark. The cantor leads the prayers in a low, mournful voice, to remind us of the Divine Presence which departed from the Holy Temple. The Book of Eicha (Lamentations), Jeremiah's poetic lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, is read both at night and during the day.

    Following both the night and day service, special "Kinot" (elegies) are recited. In the morning, the Torah portion of Deuteronomy 4:25-40 is read, containing the prophecy regarding Israel's future iniquity and exile. This is followed by the Haftorah from Jeremiah (8:13, 9:1-23) describing the desolation of Zion.

    In the afternoon, we read Exodus 32:11-14. This is followed by the Haftorah from Isaiah 55-56. Since Tallis and Tefillin represent glory and decoration, they are not worn at Shacharit. Rather, they are worn at Mincha, as certain mourning restrictions are lifted.

    What happened on the ninth of Av?
    The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled. (586 BCE)

    The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled. (70 CE)

    The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Betar -- the Jews' last stand against the Romans -- was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 BCE)

    The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city -- renamed Aelia Capitolina -- and access was forbidden to Jews.

    The period of expulsion of the Jews from Spain commenced on August 2, 1492.

    The Turkish government barred immigration of Russian and Rumanian Jews into Palistine on July 25,1882, and banned the sale of Palestinian land to Jews.

    On Tisha B'Av, deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

    top of High Holy Days