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.
On this page, you'll find links to:
- Reserve a prayer book and test your livestream access
- Register for babysitting or children's drop-off programs
- Purchase guest tickets or reserve reciprocity tickets for a guest attending with you
- Purchase non-member access for Day One of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, or register for Day Two of Rosh Hashanah
- Request reciprocity access be sent to where you're traveling
Read All About It!
The High Holiday edition of Temple Topics contains complete information about our services, nametags, seating, and more. You'll also find a printable schedule of services linked here.
High Holiday Service Options
On Rosh Hashanah First Day & Yom Kippur, we Offer Two distinct services, as well as family services:
Our Sanctuary service offers the grandeur of the High Holidays with Rabbi Rosen, Cantorial Soloist and Associate Rabbi Rachel Zerin, 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, all from our beautiful sanctuary or through livestream.
Our Outdoor service in the Grove, led by lay leaders 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. Note: in case of rain or uncomfortable heat or cold, this service will move inside.
Additionally, we offer two Family Services, one geared to families with children age 0-6, and one geared to families age 6-12.
Our Second Day of Rosh Hashanah is open to the community*! We offer Two options:
- The Sanctuary features a festive atmosphere with a service that is somewhat abridged and also more informal, spirited, and participatory.
- Our Family Service is geared to families with children ages 6-12, but all are welcome!
*If you are not a member, we welcome you to Beth El! Please note that advanced registration is required. Click here to register.
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 Cantorial Soloist and Associate Rabbi Rachel Zerin, with the choir and the Austin organ, create a magnificent setting for this solemn evening of prayer.
- In our service in the Levine-Shein Chapel, Rabbi Howard Sowalsky 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.
Guests & Reciprocity
Are you traveling for the High Holidays or have guests coming to services with you who are full members at another synagogue? 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 to purchase guest tickets.
New This Year: Non-member Tickets
Nonmembers may now purchase tickets for High Holiday services. If you join Beth El by December 31, the cost of your tickets will be applied to your membership. Tickets may only be purchased for one High Holiday season, and they are not available to anyone who was a member of Beth El within the last 7 years. Click here to purchase tickets.
Register for Children's Programs
Please register your child for our babysitting and drop-off programs by September 25 so that we can guarantee a proper adult:child ratio for your child. Failure to register by September 25 means we cannot guarantee a spot for your child.
To register your potty-trained child for babysitting on Rosh Hashanah Day One and/or Yom Kippur, please click here.
To register your older child (age 6-12) for our drop-off programs on Rosh Hashanah Day One and/or Yom Kippur, please click here.
Preparing for Livestream Access
Are you a member in good standing who is ready to test your livestream access? Click here.
If you plan on joining services via livestream, click here to reserve a High Holiday prayer book for home use.
THE ARCHIVES
All services from 5784 can be found by clicking here.
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!
Wed, February 12 2025
14 Shevat 5785
Upcoming Events
-
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 13th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 19 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Feb 19th 6:00p to 7:15p
Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Women's Network as we explore both timely and timeless topics through the lens of "Dirshuni: Contemporary Women's Midrash," a book which weaves together ancient Jewish texts and contemporary women's voices. All are welcome, whether it is your first time or you are a regular. All you need is an interest in learning! Snacks will be provided. Note: Evening minyan begins at 5:30 pm (and please join us if you can!). Class will begin at approximately 6:00pm. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 20 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 20th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 21 , 2025Shababa
Friday, Feb 21st 5:30p to 7:00p
Shababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and children's dinner. RSVP today! Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring a Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel (ekrigel@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696). -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 27 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 27th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register!
Contact Us
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm
SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
Upcoming Events
-
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 13th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 19 , 2025Studying Dirshuni with Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Wednesday, Feb 19th 6:00p to 7:15p
Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Women's Network as we explore both timely and timeless topics through the lens of "Dirshuni: Contemporary Women's Midrash," a book which weaves together ancient Jewish texts and contemporary women's voices. All are welcome, whether it is your first time or you are a regular. All you need is an interest in learning! Snacks will be provided. Note: Evening minyan begins at 5:30 pm (and please join us if you can!). Class will begin at approximately 6:00pm. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 20 , 2025God is Here: Exploring Metaphors for the Divine
Thursday, Feb 20th 6:00p to 7:30p
Join Rabbis Debra Cantor and Rachel Zerin for a hands-on exploration of different metaphors for the Divine. These metaphors are all deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, while broadening the ways we think about, talk about, and relate to God and the idea of the Holy. Inspired by Rabbi Toba Spitzer's book "God is Here: Reimagining the Divine," we will use text study, discussion, writing, art, ritual, and more to think about how language and metaphor shape our experiences - and how language and metaphor can either limit or expand how we experience holiness in our lives. Click in to register! -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 21 , 2025Shababa
Friday, Feb 21st 5:30p to 7:00p
Shababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and children's dinner. RSVP today! Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring a Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel (ekrigel@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696).
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