Member High Holiday Information

Member High Holiday Information

In just a short time, we will be celebrating the Jewish New Year 5779.  We hope that you will join us for these festive holiday services.

Below is a detailed description of the options we offer for High Holiday services.  Additionally, here you will find links with instructions for inscribing names of departed loved ones in the Yizkor Memorial Booklet and information on making a High Holiday Appeal donation. The High Holidays have traditionally been a time when people choose to make donations to help support their synagogue, above and beyond their membership dues.  We hope you will consider making such a donation at this time.

There will be four options available for individuals attending services.

• Main Service: Our traditional service in the sanctuary led by Rabbi Barukh Schectman and Cantor Jill Rabin.

We welcome families with children of all ages to all of our services.  We believe a commitment to families and children will foster the development of life-long learning and a love of Judaism.  Please keep your children seated with you during the hours when the children and youth services and child care are not offered. Children’s and Youth services as well as Child Care are conducted on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur.

• Youth & Family Service: (Ages 8-13) A shorter service of approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours in length starting at 10:30 AM. B’nai Mitzvah and post B’nai Mitzvah students will assist in leading the service.  Parents and other siblings are welcome.  All children will need to stay with a parent or in child care after the Youth Service ends.
• Children’s Service: (Ages 4-7) This will be a short educational service approximately 1 hour in length with age appropriate material beginning at 10:30 AM. Parents are welcome to attend. All children will need to stay with a parent or in child care after the Children’s Service ends.
• Child Care: (Ages 0-12)  Child care will be available from 10 am until 2 pm, on the days noted on the reservation form.  All children will need to be signed in and out by a parent or caregiver and you will need to be prepared to show identification.  We will provide snacks and drinks but parents should pack a dairy kosher lunch for their child and other items like bottles and diapers that your child may need.  Please leave your cell phone on vibrate. We will text you if your child needs you.  Children may also bring books and toys they want to use or share.  Although child care is FREE for children of our members, children must be signed up in advance – please see the reservation form to sign up for services and childcare.

RESERVATION FORM FOR HIGH HOLIDAY SEATING & CHILD CARE

Seating at High Holiday services is free for each person in your membership. Member accounts must be in good standing.  Please fill out the online Member Registration Form or click here to download a paper copy that you can print and mail in.  Please list all names of those attending so that we know how many people we will have in the building.  There will be a list of those reservations when you enter the building.  Everyone must sign in.

As in past years, there will be board members and other synagogue volunteers welcoming you at the door.  We again have many new board members who may not have had the opportunity to get to know you or your family.  So, when you come in, please take the time to introduce yourself and give them your name so that they can say hello and check you off the list. When you check in, you will be handed your name tag. Please keep this on while you are in the building. If you would prefer a magnetized name tag rather than a pin, please let us know. Name tags are only for our adult congregants.

Please note that stating your preference to any service does not preclude you from attending a different service choice.  Making a preferred reservation now will assist the committee in planning for the services.

If any further information is required, please contact the synagogue at (203) 426-5188 or by e-mail to: office@congadathisrael.org.