Sign In Forgot Password
Are we right for you?

High Holidays 5781

It's a majestic moment when the whole Jewish Community gathers together at Temple Sinai.  Each New Year, we use the liturgy, our clergy's sermons, the safety of a sacred sanctuary and our own commitments to personal growth to engage in חשבון הנפש cheshbon hanefesh - an accounting of our soul. 

To participate in the services:
Members should check the emails you've received from Rabbi TelRav to register or call the office. 
Guests are very welcome to join us and should contact the office to register. 

You will find a lot of information below but ,if you need anything further, don't hesitate to contact the office for clarification.

 

On this page, you will find

Overview of the High Holidays

High Holiday Schedules

How to access our services through Zoom and Streaming.

Zoom practice sessions for getting online with us and what to do if you have problems

Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner order form

Individual appointments for time at the open Holy Ark in the Temple Sanctuary

 

Holiday Overview

As you probably already know, our services will all be virtual.  We will not be able to come together in our sanctuary this year.  We will miss seeing all of you, hearing your voices on the bimah, celebrating and praying with each of you. But our tradition teaches that saving a life supersedes all other commandments. Let's stay safe and stay distant, looking forward to a New Year of health and life.  And if you are looking for a way to make the prayers timely and personal this season, consider checking out our Elul learning series videos on Avinu Malkeinu, Unetaneh Tokef, Kol Nidrei and El Malei.

And, while we will be sacrificing some of the most important elements of the holidays - namely the in-gathering of our people to their houses of worship, there are also some unforeseen advantages that you may find over the course of the holy days.  

 

High Holiday Schedules

Sunday, September 27
Erev Yom Kippur - כל נדרי
7:30pm - 9:00pm:  Kol Nidre Service     

Monday, September 28
Yom Kippur Day - יום הכיפורים
9:30am - 11:00am:  Morning Main Service    
11:30am - 12:00pm:  Children’s Service (Pre-K and younger) 
12:15pm - 1:15pm:  Yoga with Beverley Leighton (Chair Yoga option offered)
1:15pm - 2:00pm:  Musical Meditations with Alex Ruvinstein
2:00pm - 2:45pm:  Family Service
3:00pm - 4:15pm:  Yom Kippur Zentangle© teaching with Cantor Micah
4:30pm - 5:15pm:  Book of Jonah Text Study with Rabbi Jay
5:30pm - 6:15pm:  Yizkor
6:15pm - 6:30pm:  N’ilah Services
6:30pm:  Havdalah

 

How to access our services through Zoom and Streaming.

First of all, it’s important to know that you have two options:

The first is to stream them which is much easier and the music is a much higher quality experience but, you can’t see other congregants.
 
The second option is to access the services through zoom. Zoom requires that you use the Zoom program. If you're comfortable with it, you'll be able to see and "chat" with other people also on Zoom. 

Either way, you are going to need to register. All Temple Sinai members and their loved ones are welcome to attend all services this year. We would love it if your extended family would find it within their hearts to make a contribution to help support us but, that is not necessary to attend.  There are no “tickets” this year. Temple Members should refer to the emails they have received from the congregation or click here to receive the link from Jayne Vasco.  If you are interested in being with us virtually during the holidays and are not yet members of the congregation, click here Jayne will assist you in setting up your link for streaming and/or “zooming” the service. 

 

Zoom Practice and Tech Support

There are many of you for whom this might be the first time using Zoom.  Fear Not!  We have a team of tech-support congregants who are ready to help you.  

And, we have three practice meetings scheduled for you to enter a zoom room ahead of the holiday to make sure you know what you're doing.  Try clicking here to enter a meeting with the volunteers.  You don’t need to let us know but, if you have any problems, you can just pick up your phone and call the Temple Office or the names listed next to each slot and they will walk you through how to connect.  There will be three opportunities the week before Rosh Hashanah for you to try getting online. They are:

Sept 14 @ 10:30am - 11:00am (Temple Office, 203-322-1649)
Sept 16 @ 3:30pm - 4:30pm (Grant Kallen, 203-912-8749)
Sept 17 @ 7:00pm - 8:00pm (Grant Kallen, 203-912-8749)

 

Erev Rosh Hashanah Virtual Dinner

So many of us would have been at big gatherings for meals this season and it’s a loss to miss out on that.  We know that it won’t be the same, but Cantor Micah and I invite you to join us for dinner on Zoom that Erev Rosh Hashanah evening before the service.  And, if you prefer not to have to cook, we’ll even take care of that for you!  You can click here to join us in ordering a brisket or salmon meal with all the sides from A&S Catering.  Pickup will be at Temple Sinai’s parking lot on Thursday, September 17th from 5pm - 6pm.  You can pickup your Goodie Bag at the same time.
 
Then, at 5:30pm on September 18th, you can click on the same link that you will be using for the service.  Click here to contact the office before noon on September 18th and ask to register in order to join us for that virtual dinner – whether or not you ordered your food from A&S. 

 

Ark Visitation Appointments
 
And finally, one of the most meaningful moments for some of us is the ability to approach the Holy Ark for some private time during the afternoon of Yom Kippur.  That’s going to be difficult to do on the holiday itself so we created an opportunity for you to sign up for an appointment to spend some time at the open Ark during the days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Click here for a form on which you can reserve an appointment.  Plan to arrive 10 minutes early and observe social distancing guidelines and make SURE you come with your heart wide open – that’s the best way to ensure a meaningful moment!   Masks will be required, temperature checks will take place and social distancing will be enforced - If you feel under the weather, please just skip your appointment and remain at home.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784