We believe strongly that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can be transformative experiences for individuals and the entire community. Our goal in facilitating our services is to build a spiritually rich experience for everyone, from young children to adults. We know how important it is to gather in prayer and reflection, as well as create opportunities for social engagement. We hope that you will feel inspired and renewed by these sacred days.
Please register for High Holiday services by Monday, August 17th at 5:00pm.
Below is a brief description of each of the service options.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2, Kol Nidrei, and Yom Kippur)
The Sanctuary service will be led by Cantor Gaby and the Beth El rabbis. The rabbis will deliver sermons and teachings from the bimah, including Yizkor on Yom Kippur.
The sermon schedule in the sanctuary is as follows:
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 (Main Sanctuary): Rabbi Schuck
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (Main Sanctuary): Rabbi Bedo
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Nigun Halev: Rabbi Sitkin
Kol Nidrei (Main Sanctuary): Rabbi Sitkin
Yom Kippur Musaf (Main Sanctuary): Rabbi Schuck
(Rosh Hashanah Day 2)
We are excited to offer Nigun Halev again on Rosh Hashanah Day 2, an intimate and traditional service inspired by our special song-filled, Shabbat morning services. Using lively and familiar communal melodies, we count on the congregation singing with us as an active participant.
Rabbi Schuck will lead the service and offer teachings throughout and he will be joined by Rabbi Sitkin and Music Director Jack Klebanow. The service will have traditional davening (praying), and aims to be deeply meaningful for everyone, even if you are new to the High Holiday liturgy. Held in the Kasakove, Nigun Halev begins with the Torah service and runs through Musaf. It will include a sermon by Rabbi Sitkin and will end at approximately the same time as the Sanctuary service.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur)
Rabbi Sitkin will facilitate an hour-long contemplative service beginning at approximately 11:15am on the first day of Rosh Hashanah immediately following the sermon in the sanctuary.
Rabbi Schuck will lead this service on Yom Kippur day, immediately following the sermon in the sanctuary. We invite you to attend the Sanctuary Service through the sermon, then transition to this service. The contemplative service offers opportunities to practice mindfulness, meditation, intentional study, silence, singing, and prayer.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 2)
Join us at Paine Lake and Pinebrook Park to symbolically cast away our sins and renew our souls, which this year will take place on the second day of Rosh Hashanah as the first falls on Shabbat. Bring bread and feel free to dress casually. (Second location: The Wooden Bridge on Pinebrook Blvd, south of the baseball field, across from Van Etten Boulevard).
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur)
We will offer Torah for Tots on both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning. This service will be led by Rabbi Bedo and Rabbi Sitkin. Little ones along with their grown ups are invited to join us for an interactive experience filled with singing and dancing. This service will take place indoors in the event of inclement weather.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur)
Mini Minyan (K-2nd Grade), for our younger elementary children, is a High Holiday service just for them. Led by Alyssa Berman, we will pray and sing our way through both standard and High Holiday prayers, hitting the “highlights” that make High Holiday services feel so special. Parents may join but are not required.
Junior Minyan (3rd-5th Grade), for our older elementary children, will be led by Rabbi Bedo and Rabbi Sitkin. This is a drop-off service.
After Mini Minyan and Junior Minyan services on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur, we will have holiday-themed games and activities for the children to enjoy, as well as snacks and supervised free play. On Rosh Hashanah Day 2, we’ll enjoy a show from The Bible Players.
During Kol Nidrei, we will offer holiday-related activities for elementary and middle school children.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 2)
This service is designed for families with children in kindergarten through 5th grade, and will engage both adults and kids. This service will be led by Rabbi Sitkin and Alyssa Berman. Parents must attend with children. Beth El’s Family Service is an opportunity for children and their families to enrich their High Holiday experience together through prayer, play, and learning. This highly participatory service includes singing our way through the machzor, an interactive Torah service, teachings from the leaders, and many other fun activities.
On Rosh Hashanah Day 2, after the Family Service, the children will enjoy a show from The Bible Players.
During Kol Nidrei, we will offer holiday-related activities for elementary and middle school children.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur)
This service will take place on both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning. This service will incorporate elements of the High Holiday liturgy and the Torah service, as well as activities facilitated by the leader.
On Rosh Hashanah Day 2, Middle Schoolers will also enjoy a show from The Bible Players.
During Kol Nidrei, we will offer holiday-related activities for elementary and middle school children.
On Yom Kippur, the Middle Schoolers will participate in a chesed project (community service project) before their service.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur)
Services for our teens and led by our teens (with an adult leader) will take place on Day 1 of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur morning. The Teen Service will incorporate elements of High Holiday liturgy and the Torah service, as well as interactive discussion and activities. Our goal is to ensure that Beth El teens feel fully engaged and are able to connect meaningfully with one another and with the essence of the High Holidays. Our service is designed to be participatory, engaging, and thought-provoking, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of these days.
If your teen(s) would like a specific role in the services (e.g., leading a part of the service or reading Torah), please contact Cantor Gaby at gschvartz@bethelnr.org.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 2 and Kol Nidrei)
On Rosh Hashanah Day 2 and during Kol Nidrei (after the Torah processional), our Teens will have a space to socialize together. Teens are welcome to transition between their lounge spaces and the Sanctuary Service.
(Yom Kippur during Neilah)
Join us for our annual children’s magic show, led by magician (and Beth El alumnus), David Rosenstein! David’s magic keeps us amazed, curious, laughing, and in awe as we close Neilah as a Youth Community. Then, led by our Teens, all of the children process to the bima during Havdallah to finish Yom Kippur together.
(Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2, Kol Nidrei, and Yom Kippur)
Child care is available for children ages 2-5. Children will be supervised and will enjoy their time in the Nursery School classrooms and on the playground. In order to ensure adequate staff, please indicate your child care needs on the High Holidays registration form. Children under 2 years old can join the fun along with a parent.
What do I need to know about the High Holidays Livestream & Machzors?
While we hope you will be together with us in person, we are aware that not everyone is able to do so. We will be offering a livestream of our Main Service throughout the entirety of the holidays; machzorim (prayer books) will be available for pickup at the building beginning Tuesday, September 1st and Yizkor books will be available Monday, September 14th.
Click here to access the High Holidays Livestream>>
What’s the parking situation?
If I am a member of Beth El, how many tickets do I receive for the High Holidays?
How do I purchase tickets for family and/or friends who want to join us for the High Holidays?
I have a family member who belongs to a Conservative Synagogue somewhere else. Can they attend services at Beth El for free?
Yes, in order to attend services at Beth El, we need the necessary verification from the Conservative synagogue they belong to, and some further information. Please have your family member/s fill out this form.
I would like to attend services out of town at a Conservative Synagogue. What should I do?
Beth El will send a letter to the Conservative Synagogue you would like to attend attesting to the fact that you are a member in good standing (paid your dues).
Please fill out this form and we will send the appropriate letter and copy you on the email.
What if I have already registered and need to make a change to my registration?
Do not resubmit a registration form. Rather, please email highholidays@bethelnr.org with the changes you need. Once the change has been completed, we will send you a confirmation email.
How will I receive my tickets?
You will receive physical tickets in the mail.
The first batch of tickets will be mailed in mid- August.
In order to receive tickets, you must pay at least 50% of your Standard membership and 100% of the Enhanced membership supplement.
If you are unable to pay 50% of your membership, please reach out to Executive Director Elizabeth Clain at eclain@bethelnr.org.
I lost my tickets. What should I do?
If you lose your tickets, your name will be on a list at the front door, and you will still be able to participate in services.
We will not reissue lost tickets.
What does Enhanced Seating mean?
Enhanced membership ($750 for family/$450 for single) will provide you with reserved seats in the Sanctuary for each member of your family up to age 21. If you did not purchase Enhanced membership, each member of your family may sit in the open seating sections.
I signed up for Enhanced Seats and have specific requests. What should I do?
If you had reserved seats last year and were happy with the area you were sitting in, we will do our best to seat you in the same general location.
If you have specific requests for the High Holidays regarding your seating, please fill out this form.
We will do our best to accommodate any special requests for reserved seats.
When will I find out where my Enhanced reserved seats will be located?
You will receive a physical copy of your ticket in the mail, but it will not indicate what seat you have been assigned.
You will receive an email by the end of the day on Thursday, September 10th, indicating your seat number/s for Rosh Hashanah, and Friday, September 18th, for Yom Kippur.
Is childcare available?
Yes! We will have childcare available for children ages 2-5 on both days of Rosh Hashanah, during Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur, and on Yom Kippur morning. Childcare will take place in the Nursery School classrooms and will focus on free play (outdoors and indoors), snacks, and stories.
Children younger than 2 may be present in childcare with a parent/guardian.
Children older than 5 are welcome to join childcare after their programming ends on Kol Nidrei.
Parents/guardians must be present at Beth El while children are in childcare.
Schedule for Child Care
Rosh Hashanah (Day 1 & Day 2); Yom Kippur morning: 10:15 am-12 pm (after Tot service)
Kol Nidrei: 6:30 pm-end of service
What is the schedule for the High Holidays services?
Please see our schedule here.
What is the process for submitting family names for this year’s Yizkor book?
Please fill out this form by August 14th.
How do I add my name to Beth El’s Rosh Hashanah greeting card?
Please fill out this form by September 7th.
