High Holidays

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Service Schedule & Livestream | FAQ | Youth Services In-Person | Youth Virtual Resources | Food Drive | Tashlich

While every day is important and must be cherished, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are particularly special holidays that bring us together (physically and through the miracle of screens) as friends, family, community, and as the Jewish people. It’s a time of introspection and renewal as we consider and strengthen our bonds to God and to each other. In the face of an extraordinarily challenging world, our sacred liturgy guides us to identify and celebrate the numerous blessings in our lives. Simultaneously, we commit ourselves to look for ways to better ourselves and our world in the year ahead. As individuals and a blessed community, we pray that 5782 will be a year of peace, strength, love, hope, compassion, forgiveness, health, and joy.

Shanah Tovah u’Metukah—a good and sweet year,

Rabbi David Kalender
Rabbi Viki Bedo

FAQ

What are my options for attending services?

In-Person: Services will be held in-person with regular and distanced seating in both the sanctuary and social hall. Registration is required by August 15, so that we can plan our services and space to accommodate everyone. Afternoon services (like last year) may be added on Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur if registration warrants. Attendees will be notified of any changes or additions to the High Holiday service schedule. Youth services will be held in-person in the youth wing. Members should register yourself and your family here and register guests here. Non-members who are not guests of a member should register separately here.

Virtual: The sanctuary service will be available via livestream at olamtikvah.org/livestream and open to everyone who would like to attend virtually. The livestream will broadcast for the entirety of each holiday.

What time are services?

Rosh Hashanah begins Monday night, September 6 and goes through Wednesday, September 8. Yom Kippur begins Wednesday night, September 15 and goes through Thursday, September 16. Click here for the full service schedule.

What are the health and safety protocols?

All attendees (age 2+) must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. There will be a combination of distanced and regular seating both in the sanctuary and the social hall. Additionally, we will maintain distancing in the youth services of 3 feet whenever possible.

Will I receive tickets?

Physical tickets will NOT be issued this year. All High Holiday attendees must be pre-registered. Members should register yourself and your family here and register guests here. Non-members (who are not guests of a member) should register separately here. You will need to show identification to security personnel when you arrive. If you do not carry on Yom Kippur, you will be able to check in by providing your name and a secondary piece of identifying information.

Can I borrow a machzor?

Yes! We have a limited number of machzorim (High Holiday prayer books) available to borrow. Limit 4 per household. Click here to borrow prayer books. You can pick up your machzor in the OT office after August 23:

• During office hours Monday-Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm, Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
• Drive-thru Sunday, August 29, 1:00-2:30pm

Will there be youth services?

Yes! We will offer youth services for tots through 8th graders. Click here for youth service information.

Will there be childcare?

We regret that childcare will not be offered this year due to health and safety constraints. However, we will provide a space in the youth wing for families with young children to take a break from services to play. Toys will be provided and the livestream from the sanctuary will be available.

What about the Yizkor Book?

Yizkor will be part of the Yom Kippur day service. You can sign up to attend services in-person here or join via livestream. Books will be distributed on Yom Kippur day for those attending in-person Yom Kippur services. For those joining via livestream, the Yizkor service is in our machzor on page 290. The OT Yizkor book contains additional prayers and the names of our loved ones. If you would like a copy at home:
1.    Download the 5782 Yizkor book
2.    Pick up a book from OT (limited quantity available) Tuesday, September 14 from 2:00-5:00pm or Wednesday, September 15 from 9:00-11:30am.

What about people in need?

Our annual Kol Nidre Food Drive for ECHO kicks off at Kol Nidre. Donations may be dropped off at the Kol Nidre service at 6:45pm on Wednesday, September 15, or at our Pre-Sukkot Stuff-the-Truck donation drive-thru from 9:00-10:00am on Sunday, September 19.

I have more questions.

For additional questions, please email info@olamtikvah.org.

Youth High Holiday Virtual Resources

Virtual Services

Looking for a High Holiday kids' service at home? Join Rabbi Kalender, Rabbi Bedo, and Debra Beland Ackerman for prayer, singing, and a story!

Rosh Hashanah Tot Service | Rosh Hashanah Jr Congregation Service

Yom Kippur Youth Service

Activities & Games

Get into the High Holiday spirit with games and activities! Don't forget your crayons and markers, because there are lots of great things to color too! 

Rosh Hashanah packet

Yom Kippur packet 1 | Yom Kippur packet 2

In the Kitchen

Sweeten up your new year with these Apples and Honey Doughnuts! These delicious treats have apple slices hiding under the dough and will be fun for the whole family to make (and to eat!)

PJ Library

There's a whole world of flavors beyond apples and honey to celebrate the new year and PJ Library is here to guide you through tasty tour of a few of them. For even more great ideas for families throughout the holidays, check out A Time to Grow: A PJ Library Family Guide to the Fall Holidays.