High Holidays

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Service Schedule & Livestream | FAQ | Tickets | Youth Services & Childcare | Food Drive | Tashlich | Fasting & Break Fast

While every day is important and must be cherished, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are particularly special holidays that bring us together 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 5783 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

When are the High Holidays?

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset Sunday, September 25, 2022, and ends after sundown Tuesday, September 27, 2022. 

Yom Kippur begins at sunset Tuesday, October 4, 2022, and ends after sundown Wednesday, October 5, 2022. 

How do I attend services for the High Holidays?

There is no pre-registration as there has been in the last two years. However, you must have a ticket. Every person attending must have their own ticket to enter the building for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.  

Tickets will be mailed to each member household in early to mid-September. Accounts must be in good standing in order to receive tickets. Information on guest tickets, non-member tickets, and reciprocity is available here.

What time are services?

Click here for all of our service times

Where are the services being held?

Services will be held in both the Sanctuary upstairs and the Social Hall downstairs. All services in the Sanctuary will be available via livestream. There are no reserved seats in either location.

Will the services be the same upstairs and downstairs?

The services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur day are the same in both locations with the exception of P’seukei D’Zimra (the introductory service). The service in the Sanctuary will begin at 9:00am. The Social Hall service will begin at 10:00am with Shacharit (it does not include P’seukei D’Zimra). The rabbi will give the same sermon in both locations.

The two Kol Nidre services will be different. The Sanctuary will have the traditional Kol Nidre service. The Social Hall will offer an alternative Kol Nidre service. The Kol Nidre service in the Social Hall will finish in time for everyone to come upstairs to the Sanctuary for the sermon. 

What is there for children during the holidays?

All services and childcare options are located in the Youth Wing. All services and childcare end at 12:30pm. Parents must pick up children in the Youth Wing at 12:30pm irrespective of what is happening in the community services. Children will not be released without a parent/grandparent. 

Tot Childcare (18mo-Pre-K)
Who: 18 months-Pre-K
What: Offered on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2, Yom Kippur Day. Will include the tot holiday service (see below Youth Service information) 
Where: Room #9 (follow signs) 
When: Check in begins at 9:45am
How: Register and pay for childcare here.

Youth Services (newborn-6th grade)
Who: Tot (parents must attend with children newborn-Pre-K); Shorashim (K -2nd grade); Junior Congregation Aleph (3rd-4th grade); Junior Congregation Bet (5th-6th grade) 
What: Offered on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & 2, Yom Kippur day. 
Where: Youth Wing 
When: The Tot service is from 10:00-10:30am. Youth services are from 10:00-11:30am.  
How: Register here (no cost)

Teens (7th-8th grade)
Our teens attend the community services in the Sanctuary and Social Hall and then we have a special teen experience from 12:00-12:30pm in the Youth Lounge on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur.

After Service Childcare (K-5th grade)
Children MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED here (no cost). Childcare follows the Youth services from 11:30am-12:30pm.

What book do we use?

We use the Machzor Lev Shalem. Books will be available at the entrance to each service.

Will the service be available on the livestream?

All services from the Sanctuary will be livestreamed at olamtikvah.org/livestream

What security will be in place?

We will have Fairfax County Police officers on site as well as a private security company to check tickets. As you approach the building from the parking lot to the Main Lobby entrance, you will see uniformed officers. When you get to the entrance at the Main Lobby, you should have your ticket out and ready to show. 

Where can I park?

You can park in the Olam Tikvah parking lot.  When the lot is full, you may also park at the Pozez JCC. There will be shuttle buses running between the JCC and Olam Tikvah on a constant cycle throughout the morning and then again at the end of services to take people back to the JCC. DO NOT PARK ON THE GRASS AT OLAM TIKVAH. DO NOT PARK ON GLENBROOK ROAD WHERE THERE IS NO CURB, OR IN FRONT OF DRIVEWAYS OR MAILBOXES. The police may ticket for illegal parking in any location.

What COVID protocols are in place?

We have sections in both the Sanctuary and the Social Hall for masked and distanced seating.* Masking is optional throughout the building and anyone with or without a mask may sit in any section not specifically designated for masked and distanced seats. No proof of vaccination is required. 

Our air filtration/circulation system is the highest level possible. 

*As many of you are making dynamic decisions, please be patient as we work together to make this space comfortable for the community.

I have more questions.

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

We look forward to starting 5783 together!
Shana Tova!

Youth Services & Childcare

• Childcare registration deadline: Friday, September 9
• Youth Service registration deadline: Wednesday, September 21

Olam Tikvah is proud to offer age-appropriate worship opportunities for children newborn-8th grade, and childcare for children 18 months-5th grade. Please register your child(ren) below for Youth services and childcare.

Tot Service for Newborn-Pre-K and Adults: This service, held from 10:00-10:30am, is designed for our youngest children to celebrate the holidays. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This service is meant for families who are not registered for childcare. Children pre-enrolled in Tot Childcare will enjoy a Tot service during childcare.

Youth Services for K-6th Grade: These services, held from 10:00-11:30am, include age appropriate activities, prayer, discussion and snack. Children pre-enrolled in Youth childcare will be escorted to childcare by care providers after the services. All other children must be escorted to the service and picked up by an adult.

Teen High Holiday Program for 7th-8th Grade: This program meets on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur in the Youth Wing from 12:00-12:30pm, and includes discussion, an interactive activity and a small snack.

Childcare is available for children 18 months - 5th Grade (fees apply for ages 18mo-Pre-K). Pre-registration for childcare is required.

Register for Youth Services & Childcare here

Food Drive for ECHO

Sunday, August 28-Tuesday, October 4

Donate throughout the month of Elul until Kol Nidre! This food drive supports Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), which provides temporary and emergency assistance, including food, clothing, household items, transportation and financial support to about 1,000 families every year. Please bring one or more of the following most-needed items to help restock ECHO’s food pantry:    

Bag (Dry) Beans (red and black preferred)
Can Fruit
Box Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce
Cereal
Tin Fish (such as sardines)
Can Milk (evaporated and Sweetened Condensed)
Bag Rice
Condiments (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard)
Lemon Juice
Muffin/Corn Meal Mix
Macaroni and Cheese
Juice (pouches or bottles)
Crackers
Cooking Oil
Tortillas
Crackers, dates, nuts, dried fruit, and other healthy snacks
Tea (green, herbal and black)
Coffee (ground and instant)
Masa Flour
Please keep in mind that recipients are usually transient and do not have the ability to store large quantities.

Donations may be dropped off in the main lobby donation bench. Want to do more? Volunteer to drive the food we collect to ECHO. Drop off dates are flexible throughout the month and after Yom Kippur. Email Erin Dreyfuss to become a driver!

Fasting & Breaking the Fast

It is a mitzvah to enjoy a festive meal prior to the fast. The meal is eaten before the holiday begins and therefore there is no kiddush. There are no requirements for this meal. It should be something filling to help you get through the fast ahead. Be sure to stay hydrated the day before the fast.

Want some recipe ideas? Check out Jamie Geller's 5 Best Foods to Eat Before a Fast.

Not fasting? There are a number of reasons one might not fast on Yom Kippur, and still observe the holiday. Read this meditation for those who cannot fast.

Our Shaliach, Yehoon, loves to cook and has put together a recipe book of Break Fast foods for you to end Yom Kippur. Download the Recipe Book.