Preparing Yourself

During the weeks before Rosh Hashanah, I encourage you to set aside time to consider the year that has passed, and reflect on how you have helped bring goodness into the world and how others have brought it to you.  Set aside time also to consider your faults and failings, ethical lapses, mistreatment of others, and the right “path” you would envision for yourself.  Doing this type of personal “work” beforehand will make your worship on Rosh Hashanah (September 18 -19) and Yom Kippur (September 28 - 29) themselves more meaningful.

Here is additional information, some of a spiritual nature, some of a purely logistical nature, to help you prepare for the High Holy Days at Temple Sinai.
 - Rabbi Andy Vogel
 

Tickets & Security:   Temple Sinai strives to be a welcoming community, but High Holy Day tickets are a necessity. Temple members will receive their tickets in the mail.  Guest tickets for relatives are available from the office for $150.  For non-relatives, we ask $250.  Because of security concerns, we ask all adults to obtain tickets in advance and these tickets must be presented at the door. If it’s not possible to obtain your tickets in advance, they will be available in the office on the day of services, but you must bring ID. If visitors join our temple before the end of the calendar year, the amount they paid for tickets will be credited toward their dues.  If you are planning to attend services at a distant congregation, the temple office can provide you with a URJ ticket reciprocity form. 

Children’s Morning Programming & Children’s Afternoon Services:   High Holy Days are a time when all members of your immediate household should be able to worship together, and at Temple Sinai we want to help that happen. Children, big and small, are welcome at all services, day and evening. At morning services, please encourage your children, Pre-K through Grade 5 to participate in the Children’s program organized by Heidi Smith Hyde, which takes place in the religious school wing.  This program will run from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30,p.m. on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  In addition, afternoon Children’s Services will take place in the Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. on Rosh Hashanah afternoon and at 1:45 p.m. on Yom Kippur afternoon. This service is aimed at small children ages 1 to 8.    Non-members with young children are cordially invited to participate. There are no tickets and no fee for children’s services. This service is a good way to introduce your non-member friends to Temple Sinai.

“Tashlich” on Rosh Hashanah; Healing Service & “Forum” Panel on Yom Kippur:   This year, our congregation invites you to participate in the Rosh Hashanah ritual of Tashlich, the symbolic “casting away” of sins, misdeeds or undesirable qualities we want to improve upon.  On Rosh Hashanah afternoon at 12:30pm, between our Morning Service and our Children’s Service at 2:00pm, we will meet in the rear of the Sanctuary and walk together to the Muddy River area by the Longwood T stop.  With singing and moments for private meditation about the year, we will renew this beautiful ancient ritual, Please join us!  Tashlich is for adults and children alike. 

Also, again this year on Yom Kippur afternoon, our congregation will hold a quiet and meditative Healing Service in Ehrenfried Hall, in collaboration with our friends at the Am Tikva minyan.  Come join us at 1:00 p.m. on Yom Kippur for this informal service.  At 3:00 p.m., each year a small panel of Temple Sinai members gives special presentations relevant to the themes and messages of Yom Kippur. Their presentations will enhance your experience of this holy day, and, rather than go home, you are encouraged to stay in the synagogue for this meaningful hour. 

Prayer Books:   If you own one, please bring your own copy of Gates of Repentance, our Reform High Holy Day machzor.  Through a generous donation, the temple does now own a certain number of books for those who do not own or forget one, but you are strongly encouraged to bring your own book.  Copies can be purchased from the temple office for $25.