High Holidays

1 Elul 5781/Aug 9, 2021

Dear TBE Friends and Family,

As we enter the month of Elul, we are aware of the rapid approach of the 5782 High Holiday season.  Erev Rosh Hashanah falls this year on the evening of Mon, Sept 6.  While it had been our hope that by this time the need for COVID-related restrictions would have passed, this is clearly not the case.  Rising infection levels locally instead raise questions as to whether we will be able to open, as planned, to limited in-person attendance at our High Holiday services.

Despite this uncertainty, we are moving ahead in gathering the information that will make in-person service attendance an option for those wishing to avail themselves of it.  Please be aware that if we do go forward, attendance will be capped at 150 persons (i.e., we will not be able to open our doors to all would-be attendees), attendees will need to remain masked and distanced while in the building, and the duration of services will be abbreviated (to 2-1/2 hours per seating). 

To ensure that our members have the fairest access to our limited seating capacity, we are asking all those who wish to attend any of our services in person to complete a ballot (enclosed with this mailing and available online at https://www.tbeithaca.org/high-holiday-signup-5782.html).  Based on the preferences that you and the members of your household express, we will compile a list of names of persons with reserved spaces at each of the services.  Only those submitting a ballot by Wed, August 18 will be considered for seats, all others will only be able to attend virtually.

Please note that all services taking place in the TBE sanctuary will be live-streamed via Zoom, and it will be possible to participate remotely.  However, the family services and interpretive RH Day Two service, which will take place in an outdoor tent will not be streamed.

I should also bring to your attention the fact that we have sub-divided some of the longer services into discrete blocks or “seatings,” each containing some of the “highlights” of the High Holiday rites.  In this way, we hope to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to experience parts of the holiday rites that are most meaningful to them in-person.  A short description of each service and what it includes is provided in the schedule and on the ballot.

As you fill out your ballots, let me encourage you to consider attending some of the services that have historically enjoyed lower attendance, both to reduce crowding and to increase your chances of getting seats.  We apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate everybody’s first choice.

Despite the continuing logistical complexities and uncertainty, we are gearing up for a season of joyful and meaningful engagement with one another and with our tradition.  I look forward to welcoming many of you back into our communal prayer space for our first shared in-person worship experience. 

With wishes for a healthy, happy New Year,

Rabbi Rachel Safman

P.S. - Please stay tuned for more information on borrowing, donating, or purchasing Mahzorim.