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 tickets for guests or older children, 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. It's where you'll also find a printable schedule of services.
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.
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 12 so that we can guarantee a proper adult:child ratio for your child. Failure to register by September 12 means we cannot guarantee a spot for your child.
To register your 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, you can stop by our office to check out a machzor for home use.
THE ARCHIVES
All services from 5785 can be found by clicking here.
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!
Tue, January 13 2026
24 Tevet 5786
Upcoming Events
-
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 14 , 2026
Great Jewish Works That Have Changed Rabbi Rosen
Wednesday, Jan 14th 7:00p to 8:00p
In an age of AI, algorithms, and sponsored posts, how do we find the things that are truly impactful? In this three-part class, Rabbi Rosen will share the Jewish books, art, films, and ideas that have shaped his thinking and his rabbinate. Together, we’ll explore the Jewish works that have influenced Rabbi Rosen — and invite you to reflect on the works that have shaped you. Click in for registration details! -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 17 , 2026
Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jan 17th 5:00p to 6:30p
Back by popular demand, now expanded with a learner's service and Havdallah! Continuing from our successful summer series, we will meet once a month for a seudah shleesheet (third meal of Shabbat), and a chance to learn with our rabbis/educators about the prayers in our Siddur. New this winter, we are expanding this series to include a learner's Mincha service before, and an in-person havdallah service that will engage all the senses at the end! Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Machzor is necessary. This program is part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah Program. All are welcome to attend for part or all of the evening, whether or not you are part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah program. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person per session or $40 for the entire series. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 20 , 2026Online Author Event: In the Family Way with Laney Katz Becker
Tuesday, Jan 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
Women's Network brings us a conversation with author Laney Katz Becker about her new novel, In the Family Way. Click in to register for this Zoom event! -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2026
Great Jewish Works That Have Changed Rabbi Rosen
Wednesday, Jan 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
In an age of AI, algorithms, and sponsored posts, how do we find the things that are truly impactful? In this three-part class, Rabbi Rosen will share the Jewish books, art, films, and ideas that have shaped his thinking and his rabbinate. Together, we’ll explore the Jewish works that have influenced Rabbi Rosen — and invite you to reflect on the works that have shaped you. Click in for registration details! -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2026
Temple Trivia Throwdown
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 24th 8:00p to 11:00p
Join us Saturday, January 24th for TEMPLE TRIVIA THROWDOWN! Featuring Rob Guilmette, professional trivia master and DJ! Beth El members are welcome to invite non-members to join their teams. Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, wine and other drinks, snacks and desserts, and live entertainment. To secure your seat with early-bird pricing of $25/person, register online by January 9th at midnight.
Contact Us
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
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Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm
SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
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Upcoming Events
-
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 14 , 2026
Great Jewish Works That Have Changed Rabbi Rosen
Wednesday, Jan 14th 7:00p to 8:00p
In an age of AI, algorithms, and sponsored posts, how do we find the things that are truly impactful? In this three-part class, Rabbi Rosen will share the Jewish books, art, films, and ideas that have shaped his thinking and his rabbinate. Together, we’ll explore the Jewish works that have influenced Rabbi Rosen — and invite you to reflect on the works that have shaped you. Click in for registration details! -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 17 , 2026
Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jan 17th 5:00p to 6:30p
Back by popular demand, now expanded with a learner's service and Havdallah! Continuing from our successful summer series, we will meet once a month for a seudah shleesheet (third meal of Shabbat), and a chance to learn with our rabbis/educators about the prayers in our Siddur. New this winter, we are expanding this series to include a learner's Mincha service before, and an in-person havdallah service that will engage all the senses at the end! Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Machzor is necessary. This program is part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah Program. All are welcome to attend for part or all of the evening, whether or not you are part of the Adult B'nei Mitzvah program. Suggested donation for dinner is $10 per person per session or $40 for the entire series. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 20 , 2026Online Author Event: In the Family Way with Laney Katz Becker
Tuesday, Jan 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
Women's Network brings us a conversation with author Laney Katz Becker about her new novel, In the Family Way. Click in to register for this Zoom event! -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2026
Great Jewish Works That Have Changed Rabbi Rosen
Wednesday, Jan 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
In an age of AI, algorithms, and sponsored posts, how do we find the things that are truly impactful? In this three-part class, Rabbi Rosen will share the Jewish books, art, films, and ideas that have shaped his thinking and his rabbinate. Together, we’ll explore the Jewish works that have influenced Rabbi Rosen — and invite you to reflect on the works that have shaped you. Click in for registration details!
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