Beth El Synagogue Center

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.

Schedule of Services

Download PDF of Schedule       Frequently Asked Questions

Daily Schedules

Livestream High Holiday Services →

Sukkot 5785

Lulav & Etrog Pick Up Times

Register for the Sukkah Walk

Descriptions of Services

Please register for High Holiday services by September 4th at 5:00pm.

Below is a brief description of each of the service options. 

MAIN SERVICE, SANCTUARY (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, KOL NIDREI, YOM KIPPUR MORNING, YOM KIPPUR MINCHA, AND NEILAH)

The Main 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: Rabbi Schuck
Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Rabbi Bedo
Kol Nidrei: Rabbi Sitkin
Yom Kippur Musaf: Rabbi Schuck
Yom Kippur Before Neilah: Rabbi Bedo

PARALLEL TENT SERVICE, TENT (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1)

This service runs parallel to the Main Service beginning with the Torah service and continuing through the end of Musaf. This intimate outdoor service will be led by Rabbi Sitkin on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, including a sermon and teachings.

CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICES, TENT (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, YOM KIPPUR DAY)

Rabbi Schuck will facilitate an hour-long contemplative service beginning at approximately 11:15am on the second day of Rosh Hashanah immediately following the sermon in the sanctuary. The contemplative service offers opportunities to practice mindfulness, meditation, intentional study, silence, singing, and prayer. 

TASHLICH (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1)

Join us at Paine Lake and Pinebrook Park to symbolically cast away our sins and renew our souls. 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 Blvd).

TOTS SERVICE (FROM BIRTH TO 4 YEARS OLD), OUTSIDE ON UPPER TERRACE (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, AND YOM KIPPUR MORNING)

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 (birth- 4 years old) 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.

FAMILY SERVICES (K-4TH GRADE), DEN (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, AND YOM KIPPUR MORNING)

This service is designed for families with children in kindergarten through 4th grade, and will engage both adults and kids. This service will be led by Rabbi Bedo, 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 reading, teachings from the leaders, and many other fun activities. This service will include Yizkor.

5TH-7TH GRADE SERVICES, LEVENSON CHAPEL (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, AND YOM KIPPUR MORNING)

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 interactive discussions facilitated by the leader. 

TEEN SERVICES (8TH-12TH GRADE), YOUTH LOUNGE (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, KOL NIDREI, AND YOM KIPPUR MORNING)

Services for our teens and led by our teens (with an adult leader) will take place on Day 1 and Day 2 of Rosh Hashanah, on Kol Nidrei, and on Yom Kippur morning. The Teen Service will incorporate elements of High Holiday liturgy and the Torah service, as well as interactive, peer-facilitated discussions. 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.

CHILD CARE (ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1, ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2, KOL NIDREI, YOM KIPPUR MORNING)

Child care is available for children ages 2- 5. Children will be supervised for play in a classroom and playground. In order to ensure adequate staff, please indicate your child care needs on the services registration form. Children under 2 years old can join the fun along with a parent.

For Kol Nidrei, we will offer holiday-related activities for elementary school students. Children and families are also invited to attend our annual magic show at the end of Yom Kippur and to join in the sanctuary for Havdalah after Neilah.

High Holidays 5785/ 2024 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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 Monday, September 23rd, and Yizkor books will be available Monday, September 30th through Wednesday October 2nd, 9:00am-4:00pm. Click here to access the High Holidays Livestream>>

Parking

  • There is NO PARKING allowed in the Wykagyl (CVS) parking lot, they will boot or ticket people who park in their lot.
  • ​​​​​​​Dropoff access at the front of our building is available.
  • All parking spaces available in the front of Beth El will be reserved for those displaying a handicap sticker. Additional parking will be available in the rear parking lot.
  • ​​​​​​​Parking will be available at Ursuline High School on Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur. Parking will NOT be available there on Rosh Hashanah.
  • ​​​​​​​Parking is available at designated areas in the neighborhood.

    Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

If I am a member of Beth El how many tickets do I receive for the High Holidays?

  • Family membership entitles you to two tickets, and if you have any children under the age of 22, they may join you for the main service for no extra charge. 
  • Single membership entitles you to one ticket, and if you have any children under the age of 22, they may join you for the main services for no extra charge. 
  • You may purchase tickets for children ages 22 and above. Tickets are $175 per holiday.

How do I purchase tickets for family and/or friends who want to join us for the High Holidays?

  • When you register for the High Holidays, there is an opportunity to purchase extra tickets, as below.

What if I have already registered and need to make a change to my registration?

  • 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 early September. 
  • Tickets will be mailed for all registrations completed before September 13th, 2024.
  • Any registrations completed after September 13th will need to be picked up at Beth El.
  • 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.

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 Tuesday, October 1st (if not before), indicating your seat number/s.

Is babysitting available?

  • Yes! We will have childcare available for children ages 2-5 on both days of Rosh Hashanah, during Kol Nidre 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 Nidre.
  • 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 Nidre: 6:15 pm-end of service

What is the schedule for the High Holidays services?

  • Please see our schedule here.