As we welcome the New Year 5786, we are thrilled to pray, sing, reflect, and join together in community. Cantorial Soloist Rachel Graber and I look forward to welcoming you into our kehillah kedoshah, our sacred community, as we lift up our spirits and deepen our commitments to each other. May we join together and pray for a year filled with compassion, justice, and peace. -Rabbi Andy Gordon
Complete High Holy Day Schedule – Please use this page to see all of our High Holy Days offerings, which include programs, service times, and locations.
Registration Information for Guests & Non-Members
Selichot
Saturday, September 13 at 8pm
We start the High Holy Day spiritual journey on the Saturday evening prior to Rosh Hashanah. This year, congregants Judith Ingolfsson, Vladimir Stoupel, and their son Alan Stoupel will perform a concert prior to our Selichot Service.
Erev Rosh Hashanah in the Meadow
Monday, September 22 at 5pm
Truly a highlight of the High Holy Day season! We gather outside in our Meadow to welcome the New Year. Our outdoor service is informal, welcoming, and spiritual. It is also free and open to the community. Join us at 5pm for a BYO picnic dinner and our service will begin at approximately 6pm. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring a picnic blanket or chairs.
Rosh Hashanah
Our High Holy Day services are led by Rabbi Andy Gordon and Cantorial Soloist Rachel Graber. We gather to welcome in the New Year, to better our lives, and to make our world a better place.
1st Day – Tuesday, September 23 – Begins at 9am with our Rosh Hashanah Tots Service for your younger families in the Sanctuary, followed by our main Rosh Hashanah Service beginning at 10:15am, and our Family Service at 11:15am. Please see the full schedule for details.
2nd Day -Wednesday, September 24 – Begins at 10am with our main Rosh Hashanah Service
Kol Nidre
Wednesday, October 1 at 6:45pm
We welcome in Yom Kippur with a moving Kol Nidre prelude by renowned cellist Gita Ladd with accompaniment by Lewis Berman. Our soulful service is filled with contemplative moments, beautiful music, and a meaningful sermon.
Yom Kippur
Thursday, October 2
Throughout the day of Yom Kippur, our community gathers to renew our lives, our city, and our world. We reflect upon teshuvah (repentance) and bettering our lives and those who surround us. Our morning begins 9am with our Yom Kippur Tots Service for your younger families in the Sanctuary, followed by our main Yom Kippur Morning Service beginning at 10:15am, and our Family Service at 11:15am, with Yizkor beginning at approximately 1pm. Please see the full schedule for details.
Service Participation Opportunities
In the spirit of transparency, inclusivity, and community, we’re taking a fresh approach to inviting members to participate in our High Holy Days services. Based on feedback from the Religious Culture Committee and Rabbi Gordon, we’re broadening our outreach to include many first-time participants in roles like opening the Ark, lighting festival candles, offering an English reading, or assisting with the rituals during the Torah service.
Rather than making assignments behind the scenes, we’re inviting a wide cross-section of members to let us know if they’d like to take part. Some who have participated before will be enjoying a “year off” to relax in the pews—or they can fill out our interest form to jump back in.
We can’t involve everyone each year. Our goal is that over the next few years and every member will have the opportunity to participate at least once. If you haven’t been contacted this year, we still welcome your involvement—just complete THIS INTEREST FORM by September 15. While we may not be able to assign all who are interested this year, we’ll keep you at the top of the list for next year.
Tot Service
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we welcome our youngest worshipers to specially prepared services geared for them and their families. These short services include singing, shofar, and a story. Free and open to the community.
Prayerbook
Our High Holy Day Machzor (prayer book) is Mishkan HaNefesh, the new Reform High Holy Day Machzor. The prayer book is completely transliterated, filled with poetic readings, and includes a unique two-page spread.
Parking
Accessible parking will be available in our upper lot and can be reserved by emailing Sarah Jacobs. Please note that there are limited spots available. Be sure to let Sarah know which services you will be attending so we can plan accordingly.
BSS Upper & Lower Lots: A limited number of parking spaces are available for the community in our upper and lower lots.
The Friends School Lawndale Parking lot – Available for Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Kol Nidre & Yom Kippur Morning: Intersection of Wyndhurst Ave and Lawndale Ave (across the street from Shananigans Toy Shop). A Shuttle Bus will be provided each day, and the buses will be running throughout each service on a regular basis.
Advanced Medical Center Parking Lot – Available Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Morning ONLY. Parking lot adjacent to BSS, at Cold Spring Crossing, 220 W. Cold Spring Lane
BSS Welcomes Families and Children to our Services
To the parents and families of young children – Welcome! We are so glad that you are here to celebrate the Jewish Holidays with us. Relax. Children like to wiggle. Please let them dance and pray in the aisle. If you need to leave the service with your child, do so, but please come back.
To the members and guests of our congregation – The presence of children is a reminder that Judaism’s future is in the room with us now. How we treat our children today affects their behavior as Jew tomorrow. Please give a warm smile and welcome to our children and their families.
Accessibility
Hearing Loop – Assistive listening devices are available for all services that are held in our Sanctuary, if you would like to reserve one in advance, please email Sarah Jacobs.
Zoom Live Transcription – Closed Captioning will be available in English to those who choose to zoom into our services.
Braille Prayerbooks – Available upon request, please email Sarah Jacobs to reserve your copy.
Large Print Prayerbooks – Please ask our ushers for a copy of our large print prayerbooks.
Restrooms – All are wheelchair-accessible on both our upper and lower levels. Our all-gender restroom is located on our lower level. Please use the restroom that most affirms your gender identity & expression
Our Building – Both our Sanctuary & Social Hall are Wheelchair accessible, including access to our Bimah. Upon arriving to our services, please ask an Usher about seating locations.
For any additional accessibility questions, accommodations, or requests please reach out directly to Sarah Jacobs.
