High Holy Days at Sinai

We Mark These Days of Awe, Together

The High Holy Days are a time for personal reflection and communal connection.

At Sinai Brookline, we prepare for this sacred time between Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (A Day of Atonement) with a month-long schedule of special opportunities beforehand to open our hearts for reflection.

Join us for joyous singing, inspiring words from Rabbis Andy Vogel and Talia Stein, and the incredible sense of belonging you can feel when our community gathers. From the first prayers of Rosh Hashanah (begins Friday night, September 15) to the final Yom Kippur blast of the shofar (begins Sunday night, September 24), we hope you will join us to celebrate, and reflect on, these Days of Awe.

We offer an Outdoor Family Service, open to anyone in the community, on the mornings of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, led by Rabbi Stein in the backyard of the Brookline Church of Christ, 416 Washington Street.

Our 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with an all-ages picnic and Shofar blowing at the Cypress Street Park (in front of Brookline High School). See our calendar for a full list of events.

We ask everyone interested in attending our High Holy Day programs and services to register in advance. (See registration blocks)

Please join us.  Call the temple office (617) 277-5888 to learn more.

Member High Holy Day Service Registration Link
Non-Member High Holy Day Service Registration Link

Covid Policy: Following public health recommendations, we advise that all individuals be fully vaccinated. The decision about whether to wear a mask is up to each individual and we respect each person’s choice.

Non-Member High Holy Day Registration Link

While there is no fixed charge for either tickets or online attendance, we ask people who are planning to join us during these holy days to consider making a generous donation to Sinai Brookline.  Contributions for the High Holy Days are an important part of our fundraising for the year and allow us to continue to be a welcoming and vibrant community.

Anyone wishing to attend services in our sanctuary who does not have a ticket at entry (members, their guests, or non-members) will be directed to the Temple office to register and receive tickets. 

Non-members registration form

Machzorim (High Holy Day prayer books) will not be shown on screen during services.  If you wish to obtain your own Machzor, you can purchase a digital edition from Amazon (at about $10/book)  or purchase your own hard-bound set from Kolbo, Israel Book store, or CCAR press. We use URJ’s two-volume Mishkan HaNefesh machzor.

Member High Holy Day Registration Link

There is no charge for tickets or Zoom links but registration is required for both.  Donations are greatly appreciated. 

Members registration form

For safety and security reasons, we ask all adults to present a ticket for entry to the Erev Rosh Hashanah service, the morning services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and the Kol Nidre service. (No ticket is required for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur outdoor morning family services.) Members of Temple Sinai will receive their tickets in the mail 1-2 weeks before Rosh Hashanah.

For Temple Sinai members requesting courtesy seating at a distant Reform congregation, our temple office can provide you with an official URJ request form.

For more information, call us at 617.277.5888 or email our Interim Executive Director, Craig Sumberg, at executivedirector@sinaibrookline.org

Machzorim (High Holy Day prayer books) will not be shown on screen during services.  Click HERE to learn the many options you have for obtaining a Machzor. 

College Students Non Member Registration Link

College students  – you are welcome here! Please fill out the non-member registration below. You will need to show your school ID at the synagogue door for entry.

Non-members registration form

Machzorim (High Holy Day prayer books) will not be shown on screen during services.  If you wish to obtain your own Machzor, you can purchase a digital edition from Amazon (at about $10/book)  or purchase your own hard-bound set from Kolbo, Israel Book store, or CCAR press. We use URJ’s two-volume Mishkan HaNefesh machzor.

Prayer Book Information

 

Machzorim (High Holy Day prayer books) will not be shown on screen during services. We encourage those congregants who will participate in High Holy Day services online to obtain their own set or, if Sinai members, to borrow our prayer books. We use URJ’s two-volume Mishkan HaNefesh machzor book.

  • You can purchase a digital edition of the prayer books from Amazon for $9.99/for each book (2 volumes). The digital edition does not require a Kindle device, only the Kindle app.
  • You can purchase your own printed set (regular or large-print) from:
    • Kolbo (617-731-8743)
    • Israel Book Shop (617) 566-7113)
    • CCAR Press ($50 plus shipping) Order here

Sinai Brookline members will receive other options with your registration.

We look forward to observing the High Holy Days with you this fall.  Shanah Tovah!

Yom Kippur Food Drive

For over 20 years,  Temple Sinai has participated in the nationwide effort to collect food for people in need during the High Holy Days by holding our Yom Kippur Food Drive. All donations will go to the Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center. This unique and successful program serves over 5,000 malnourished people a year. You can learn more about the Grow Clinic at their website here. When you come to Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services this year, please bring your donated items. A greeter will direct you to leave your bag in the small room off the vestibule of the temple. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Download a list of suggested items here.

High Holidays Schedule 2023 | 5784 – 5785

There is no charge for service attendance or Zoom links, but registration is required for both. Registration links in the boxes above.

Rosh Hashana Services

EREV ROSH HASHANAH | Friday, September 15, 2023
Service 7:30 pm – Join us in person or Zoom

  • ROSH HASHANAH – First Day | Saturday, September 16, 2023
    Morning Services, 9:30 am – 11:15 am:
    Sanctuary Service – In our Sanctuary or Zoom.
    Outdoor Family Service – In the backyard of the Brookline Church of Christ, 416 Washington Street.
  • Torah Reading & Sermon Service, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm. Join us in person in our sanctuary or Zoom.
  • Tashlich at Muddy River, Longwood T Stop, 12:45 pm.
    Meet on Temple sanctuary steps.

ROSH HASHANAH – Second Day | Sunday, September 17, 2023
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Picnic & Shofar Blowing – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 pm. Meet at Cypress Field in front of Brookline High School. Bring a picnic lunch.

Yom Kippur Services

KOL NIDRE | Sunday, September 24, 2023
Service 7:00 pm – Join us in person or Zoom

YOM KIPPUR DAY | Monday, September 25, 2023
Morning Services, 9:30 am – 11:15 am:
Sanctuary Service – In our Sanctuary or Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87954374377?pwd=TnZua1JSbUNZYjJkcENoSnRBcDZIdz09.
Outdoor Family Service – In the backyard of the Brookline Church of Christ, 416 Washington Street

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