High Holiday and Festival Holiday Information

The High Holy Days are a powerful time in our Jewish calendar set aside for spiritual renewal. We enter this period on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Hashanah with Selichot meaning forgiveness. It refers to the solemn penitential prayers recited by prior to the onset of the High Holy Days. We traditionally gather together for study and then for services.

The ten-day period, the Days of Awe, begins with Rosh Hashanah (Literally, “Head of the year”) and culminates on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). Our spirit during these days is marked by introspection, prayer, and repentance. It is a time of remembering mingled with a time to look ahead to the new year. It is also a time to be together as a community.

If you are not a current Beth El member, we invite you to join our NSS Beth El Family for a spiritually deep High Holiday experience. Find out more about becoming a member here. Let the year begin with all its blessings.

All You Need to Know About the Chagim at a Glance!

Festival Service Schedule 5785

Hoshana Rabbah/Erev Shmini Atzeret
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
7:00 am – Hoshana Rabbah Morning Service
5:45 pm – Mincha/Ma’ariv
5:38 pm – Candlelighting

Shmini Atzeret/Erev Simchat Torah
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
9:00 am – Festival Service with Yizkor
10:30 am – Jr. Congregation
11:00 am – Tot Shmini Atzeret
5:45 pm – Mincha
6:00 pm – Young Family Simchat Torah Celebration
6:30 pm – Ma’ariv/Hakafot/Simchat Torah Celebration
6:37 pm – Candlelighting

Simchat Torah
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
9:00 am – Festival Service
10:00 am – Hakafot Service with Special Honors
10:45 am – Tot Simchat Torah/Jr. Congregation
5:30 pm – Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv
5:35 pm – Shabbat Candlelighting

Sukkot & Simchat Torah Celebrations!

CHUSY/NSSBE Sushi in the Sukkah
Tuesday, October 22
6:00 pm

CHUSY and NSS Beth El are back with their beloved 6th-12th grade event,Sushi in the Sukkah!Join us in the Sukkah where our Teen Leadership Board has curated a fantastic “Choose Your Own Adventure” activities menu for your enjoyment! Along with mountains of sushi, candy sushi and other treats, we have a wide variety of games, crafts, and much more in store for all those attending. Please click the link below to register!
REGISTER HERE.

YFP Simchat Torah Celebration
Thursday, October 24
6:00 pm

Join us in the Grossinger-Brickman Activity Room for songs, celebrations and make-your-own candy Torahs as we dance around and celebrate this special holiday! We will unroll our Tot Shabbat illustrated Torahs for everyone to see! (Stay after as we join in with the larger communal Simchat Torah celebration!)

Simchat Torah Hakafot and Celebration
Thursday, October 24
6:30 pm

Join us for a special evening to celebrate Simchat Torah as a community. Services begin at 6:30 pm followed by dancing with the Torahs. Some of our Hakafot dancing will include wrapping the children in the Torah; commemorating the 10/7 Hebrew anniversary date; and transitioning to celebrating the Festival while still holding onto sadness from one year ago. We will highlight a new Torah cover in memory of Aner Shapira, z”l.

Simchat Torah Hakafot with Special Honors
Friday, October 25
9:00 am services begin
10:00 am Hakafot service with special honors

Join us as we honor three exceptional congregants for their wonderful contributions to our community:
Mary Channon – Kol Nearim
Yinam Cohen – Chatan Torah
Ramona Choos – Kallat Beresheet