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High Holidays
High Holidays
High holidays are a wonderful and moving experience at Beth El, and we hope you will join us!
Service Links for Online Access
All service links can be found by clicking here.
High Holiday Service Options
On Rosh Hashanah First Day & Yom Kippur, we offer Three distinct services:
Our Sanctuary service offers the grandeur of the High Holidays with Rabbi Rosen, Cantor Ness, and the Beth El Choir. Enjoy the glorious music of the holidays accompanied by the organ, and thought-provoking insights, teachings, and sermons from Rabbi Rosen (with Rabbi Zerin speaking on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, and both rabbis on Kol Nidrei), all from our beautiful sanctuary or through livestream.
Our Outdoor service in the Grove, led by Rabbi Zerin, Jason Kay, and Susan Gold, offers a participatory, musical service in a relaxed outdoor setting. The service will include classic favorites from the Chapel Service, new melodies, meaningful insights into the prayers, and trivia for kids (and adults) during the Torah service. Rabbi Rosen will give the sermon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, and Rabbi Zerin will give the sermon on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidrei, and Yom Kippur. Note: in case of rain or uncomfortable heat or cold, this service will move inside to the Chapel.
Kids ages 0-10 and their grown-ups are invited to start the New Year off with stories, songs, prayers, and activities! The Family Service, led by Rabbi Zerin, will include all the highlights of the High Holiday services you know and love, while engaging in the themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in a family-friendly way. On Rosh Hashanah, the family service will end with apples and honey, and on both days the service will be immediately followed by drop-off programs for children in Kindergarten-5th grade.
Our Second Day of Rosh Hashanah is open to the community! We offer Three options:
- The Sanctuary features a festive atmosphere with a service that is somewhat abridged and also more informal, spirited, and participatory.
- Our Outdoor Service in the Grove
- A Meaningful Family Service geared to 0-10 year olds and their grown-ups. Parents, grandparents and children are invited to join Rabbi Zerin and Rabbi Sowalsky for this family service.
Select from two Kol Nidrei services:
- Our Sanctuary Service captures the awe-inspiring splendor as we prepare to ask God for forgiveness. Rabbi Rosen and Cantor Ness, together with the choir and the Austin organ, create a magnificent setting for this solemn evening of prayer.
- Outdoors in the Grove, Rabbi Zerin and Susan Gold create a quiet atmosphere where we can listen closely for the still, small voice of God.
Experience Neilah in a Personal Way
As Yom Kippur concludes and the symbolic Gates of Heaven are closing, we invite our members and members of the community to stand before the ark, alone or with their family, for a personal moment of reflection and prayer. Non-Jewish family members are welcome to join this very moving experience.
The High Holiday supplement in Temple Topics contains complete information about our services, tickets, seating, parking, and more.
Preparing for Livestream Access
Are you a member in good standing who is ready to check if you're all set for viewing services via livestream? Click here.
If you plan on joining services via livestream, click here to reserve a High Holiday prayer book for home use.
Guests & Reciprocity
Are you traveling for the High Holidays or have guests coming to services with you? Click here for information about reciprocity.
Need to purchase access for guests or older children (aged 25-29) who are not members of another synagogue? Click here.
THE ARCHIVES
All services from 5783 can be found by clicking here.
All services from 5782 can be found by clicking here.
All services from 5781 can be found by clicking here.
Looking for Rabbi Rosen's 5781 Messages for the Month of Elul? Click here!
Fri, June 9 2023
20 Sivan 5783
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
JunJune 11 , 2023Men's Club Outing to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Somerset Patriots
Sunday, Jun 11th 12:00p to 4:00p
Back by popular demand! Join the Men’s Club at Dunkin’ Donuts Park to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Somerset Patriots (the Yankees AA minor league affiliate)! It will be Jewish Heritage Day. Our seats, in the Hartford Terrace section along the first-base side, are in a shaded, private section. Your ticket will allow you free exclusive access to the Yard Goats Club, an air conditioned indoor section with great views of the game, comfortable seating, and higher-end food and liquor options not available at the general concession stands. And yes, fries, hot dogs, and beer are also available there. Kosher food will be available. You can go to this private section when you want to take a break from your field seats, get refreshments, and schmooze with others. Kids run the bases after the game! Tickets are limited, so you are urged to put in your RSVP as soon as possible. You may request to be seated with others who are placing their RSVP separately. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 11 , 2023Celebrate West Hartford
Sunday, Jun 11th 12:00p to 6:00p
Stop by our booth at Celebrate! West Hartford on the second day of the town's annual community festival. Say hello to our clergy and lay leaders, and share your enthusiasm for Beth El with the community. You don't want to miss our community art project! -
Friday ,
JunJune 16 , 2023Camp Send-off Shabbat Dinner
Friday, Jun 16th 7:00p to 9:00p
Celebrate our campers as we send them off to summer camp Beth El style! All are invited to join us for a special outdoor Shabbat service honoring our campers, followed by a BBQ dinner for all. Service and dinner will be held outdoors, weather permitting. This program is being underwritten by the Kest Family Fund. Click in to register! -
Saturday ,
JunJune 24 , 2023Shabbat Playgroup in the Park
Shabbat, Jun 24th 3:00p to 5:00p
Calling all 0-5 year olds and their grown-ups: come find your people at the park! Join Rabbi Zerin, Dr. Eliyahu, and your friends at Beth El for a relaxed Shabbat afternoon at Eisenhower Park. We will provide cold drinks and summer treats! Note: will be canceled in case of rain. RSVPs requested but not required. Click in to RSVP! -
Friday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2023Shabbat in the Park
Friday, Jul 14th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to Eisenhower Park for Shabbat in the Park! We invite you to bring a picnic for your family, and we'll bring the grape juice & challah! Meet by the playground to celebrate Shabbat with our Beth El community. Contact Jason Kay (engagement@bethelwh.org) with any questions. Click in to RSVP!