High Holidays 5783

Dear TBE Friends and Family,

This year the Jewish New Year 5783 begins on the evening of Sunday, September 25, and though it is still August, we are already well into planning for our upcoming High Holiday services, informed by your responses to our HHD survey (thanks to those who took part!).  We would like to share with you our plans to date.  We do so recognizing that the decisions we have taken after careful consideration will, inevitably, suit the needs and preferences of some members better than others and sorely wish that these compromises, especially those related to COVID, were not necessary.
 

First, we are delighted that we are finally able to return to a normal sequence of High Holiday services, under the auspices of Rabbi Safman and Cantor Michael Zoosman.  Gone are timed entries, parallel Zoom channels or voices piped in remotely.  Instead, our services will be conducted b’retzef (“continuously,” not in discrete blocks), in the sanctuary with the assumption that many though certainly not all, members – and all honorees – will be joining us in person.  For the majority of our HHD services all TBE members who care to attend in-person will be permitted to do so, and in all cases COVID precautions will be assiduously maintained (all attendees must be masked, and service leaders will be tested on the day of each service).  Proof of vaccination is no longer required at services. 
 

The exceptions to the open attendance policy are that during our morning services (Rosh Hashanah Days One and Two and Yom Kippur) there will be attendance caps.  Only the first 150 TBE members who reserve seats will be able to attend in person during these times.  Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.  So, please reserve early, either online or using your mail-in form, and please remember, in consideration of others who wish to attend, to let us know if you will be unable to use a space that you have reserved, as we anticipate having a waitlist. Also, while we welcome members’ relatives and friends on the days when there are no attendance caps, we will not be able to accommodate them at services with restricted attendance.
 

For those who want the camaraderie of attending the services in-person but don’t feel comfortable with larger crowds or close seating, we are, for all services, offering a limited amount of more distanced seating in the balcony and rear of the sanctuary, where N95 masks will be required.  Also, for afternoon and evening services (only) there will be the option of viewing the Zoom-streamed broadcast of the service from the tent in Pardes Hannah, an option that will allow those who wish to accept an honor but don’t want to remain indoors to enter and leave as needed.
 

Zooming from home or any other remote viewing location will also be an option for all services taking place in the sanctuary (though not for our children’s/youth activities), and we will have mahzorim (prayerbooks) available for loan, as we have in previous years.
 

We are excited to share that this year our High Holiday family services, offered on Rosh Hashanah Days One and Two and Yom Kippur, will be augmented with the participation of a guest youth service leader, who will be working with Rabbi Brody to create age-appropriate holiday experiences for our tots, young elementary and older elementary/middle school aged students.  Note: Children do not have to be members of TBE to participate, so grandchildren and friends are welcomed!  We will also be offering prepaid, pre-reserved childcare for youngsters aged 2 and above between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
 

We are so excited to be welcoming you home.  May 5783 be a year of health, happiness and peace!

Just log in to the website and return here to view our High Holiday details and registration links