High Holidays

Everything you need to celebrate
at Congregation Beth Emeth

CBE Members: Click on the orange links below or scroll down for info and downloadable pdf and/or online forms on each topic.

Non-Members Welcome! Click Here for ticket info.

NOTE: Except as noted below, forms for High Holiday requests must be received in the office by Friday, August 25, 2017.

Contents:

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Prayer Service & Program Schedule, including special programs:

• Selichot, September 16
• Teen Services, September 21 & 30
• Family Service, September 21
• Tashlich, Picnic September 21

Tickets and Related Requests and Purchases

• Ticket Info (Non-CBE-members, go here)
• Special Needs Seating Request
• Need a Ride to CBE?
• Order High Holiday Greetings
• Memorial Book Listing & Plaque Order Form
• Babysitting Reservations
• Order Mahzorim (Prayer Books)
• Sunflower Bakery
• Lulav and Etrog

Volunteer & Help Others

• Usher Signup
• Shofar Blowers
• Floor Gabbais
• Kol Nidre Food Drive
• Sign Up to Provide Rides to CBE
• Torah Fund

Other Information

• Security
• Parking

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

Complete schedule and info at http://bethemeth.org/sukkot-simchat-torah

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Schedule

(The schedule will be on your tickets for your convenience)

Selichot Program and Service

Saturday, September 16, 2017, 8:00 PM

Selichot, the first service of the High Holiday period, will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2017, when we prepare spiritually for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Selichot service is designed to help us direct our hearts and minds to the process of teshuvah. At the service, we begin to examine our deeds of the past year, seeking forgiveness from God, and promising to improve our behavior in the New Year. Some of the prayers and music for the Selichot service are taken from services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This provides a musical transition between the current year and the New Year.

Prior to Selichot, we will have a free screening of the film Lion and discussion facilitated by Rabbi Goldsmith. Lion stars Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. This incredible story of a lost Indian boy who is eventually reunited with his birth family will move you to your core and offers lessons about the power of hope,  perseverance, and coming to terms with one’s past.  If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a must-see—and even if you have, it’s worth seeing again.

Our special Selichot Program will begin at 8:00 pm. The meaningful Selichot service, during which we will acknowledge the memorial plaques dedicated within the past year, will begin at approximately 10:30 pm.

Teen Services 

September 21 and September 30

Teen Services for 6th-12th graders will be held in the tent on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur (see schedule).  These services will include traditional High Holiday liturgy, the Torah Service, and Hebrew and English readings that are especially relevant to teens. If you would like to take part in the service, please contact [email protected]. 

Family Service

Thursday, September 21, 4:00 PM

Family Service will be held on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 4:00 pm at Frying Pan Park. Casual clothing and appropriate shoes are advisable. Following services, stay for Tashlich, a Picnic Dinner, & family-friendly Ma’ariv Service! (See next item for more info.)  

Tashlich & Picnic Dinner

Thursday, September 21, 5:00 PM

There will be Tashlich & Picnic Dinner for ALL at Frying Pan Park on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, September 21. Meet at 5:00 pm under the Picnic Pavilion at Frying Pan Park, right near the visitor center. The group will hike to “running water,” on a path that is jogging stroller passable and can be walked by kids as well as adults. Casual clothing and appropriate shoes are advisable. B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bread for sin offerings) After “casting away our sins,” we will join together for an enjoyable picnic dinner to start the New Year. Bring picnic blankets and/or chairs and a dairy/parve dinner. For more information please contact [email protected]. Heavy rain will cancel this program.

Tickets and Related Requests, Purchases, Reservations

Ticket Information for CBE Members

(Non-members and Prospective Members, please go here)

• Tickets for High Holiday services are provided to members in good standing, as defined in the Congregation Beth Emeth Constitution.
• Tickets will be mailed in early September for each ELIGIBLE ADULT member of your family. Please note: unmarried children up to age 26 or still in school, and other dependents living at home will be entitled to a High Holiday ticket.
• If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact [email protected] or 703-860-4515 x 101. Tickets are not needed for children and high-school age teens.
• Family members who are members in good standing in another synagogue may receive tickets free of charge.  However, a letter from the guest’s congregation confirming his or her status must be attached to the Additional Ticket Request Form (High Holiday Info page A1) at the time it is submitted to the synagogue office.
• Members may purchase tickets for adult children or other adult family members who are not members of a synagogue at a cost of $75 per person per holiday. Cost for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is $150.00. Please use the Additional Ticket Request Form ​(High Holiday Info page A1)

Special Needs Seating

If you require seating to accommodate special needs, such as wheel chairs, medical situations or other assistive devices, CBE makes every effort to provide a section of seats that are easily accessible. A seat reserved for special needs includes an additional seat for one accompanying adult only – note that this does not apply if two family members request special needs seating. Please use the Special Needs Seating Request ​(High Holiday Info page A2), and call the CBE office, 703-860-4515 x 101, if you have any questions. Special Needs seating is held until 10:30 am. Please be aware that assistive listening devices and a stair lift to the bimah are also available. See one of the ushers in the lobby for assistance.

Need a Ride to CBE?

Do you need a ride to come to CBE services and events? As a congregation, we want to make sure that all congregants wishing to participate in any CBE event can do so even if they cannot drive themselves. So, we have started a new Mitzvah Brigade Ride Board to match those who need a ride with those members who can help. We are primarily using an online signup at www.tinyurl.com/CBE-Rides. You can also request a ride by phoning the office at (703) 860-4515 ext 101. The Ride Board coordinator will contact you if we can arrange a ride for you.

Can you provide rides to CBE for those who cannot drive? Use the same link to indicate when you can help.

High Holiday Greetings

High Holiday Greetings will be printed in a booklet with the Annual Appeal Donations. The booklet will be available during Rosh Hashanah services to wish your CBE family and friends “L’Shana Tova Tikatevu.” Please use the Greeting Form (High Holiday Info page A3) to request your greeting.

Memorial Booklets & Plaques

The Memorial Booklet is a lovely way to remember your friends and family who are no longer with us at the holidays. Please remember to submit your Memorial Booklet form each year (High Holiday Info page A5). A minimum donation of $18 per name is requested for the Memorial Booklet. You may also purchase an entire page dedicated to your family and friends for $270.00; This page can include graphics, poetry and as many names as you wish (within the confines of the page). This would also be a good time to consider purchasing a Memorial Plaque (High Holiday Info page A6) in memory of your loved one(s). The cost of a Memorial Plaque is $360.

Babysitting

Register for High Holiday Babysitting TODAY! CBE is offering babysitting for infants through first graders. Once again, professional babysitting services will be provided by Nannytainment on the following days:

• Thursday, September 21 (Rosh Hashanah First Day)  9:30 AM-12:00 PM, and

• Saturday, September 30 (Yom Kippur) 9:30 AM-12:30 PM. 

Kosher snacks & holiday-friendly activities will be provided. The cost is $15 per child per day, with a total cost of $30 max per family per day, even if you have more than two children. To sign up, please fill out the babysitting registration form (High Holiday Info pages A-7 through A-8), including specific dates babysitting is needed, and send it to the CBE Office by August 25, 2017. Unfortunately, we cannot accept drop-ins.

Mahzor Lev Shalem Order 

The High Holiday Prayer Book is available for purchase for $36. This beautiful addition to your Judaic library ensures that you will have a Mahzor, no matter what time you arrive for services. Please consider the mitzvah of also dedicating one or more books to the synagogue for general use. Books are available at the CBE office. Please use this form to reserve your Mahzor(im) (High Holiday Info page A-9).

Sunflower Bakery

Order Holiday Baked Goods from Sunflower! Place your order by September 14 at 2:00 PM to celebrate the New Year with delicious holiday goodies from Sunflower Bakery – delivered right to CBE and available for pick up Sunday, September 17, 12:00 - 1:30 PM and 4:00 - 6:00 PM, and Monday, September 9:00-5:00 PM. Enjoy tasty, kosher, pareve treats like apple and honey cake, rolled sugar cookies, and honey-apricot bars made by the bakery that serves the community. Help support individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities trained at Sunflower and make this a sweet New Year! Start by taking a look at the menu of available items, located at www.sunflowerbakery.org. 

Lulav and Etrog Orders

Order your Lulav and Etrog with other High Holiday items and have it for Sukkot! The cost for a set is $54.00. Orders received by August 25th will be available at CBE Office starting on Sunday, October 1. Order form (High Holiday Info page A-10).

Volunteer & Help Others

Be an Usher and Help Everyone Have a Good Experience!

CBE ushers serve a very important function at our synagogue.  They ensure that the spiritual experience for all worshippers is paramount during the High Holiday services.  Please volunteer to be an usher.  Much help is needed throughout the High Holiday season; just one hour of your time can make a difference.

All volunteers will receive an informational packet that describes the ushering duties and assignment(s).  High school juniors and seniors are welcome as volunteers. Since we encourage them to attend the Teen Services, we ask that they volunteer 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM (before the Teen Service), 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (after the Teen Service), or during any other High Holiday service. 

Don't delay, sign up for an hour or two today at http://bethemeth.org/high-holiday-ushers! If you have any questions or comments, or prefer not to sign up online, please contact Phil Noyovitz and Josh Winston. Thank you for generously donating your time during the upcoming days of introspection.

Shofar Blowers

We’re adding to our already talented list for both days of Rosh Hashanah in the sanctuary and in the teen services. Watch CBE’s weekly e-newsletter for audition dates as the holidays near; contact Phil Noyovitz and Josh Winston to express your interest. If you’ve blown the shofar at CBE in the past you don’t need to audition again, just email Phil Noyovitz and Josh Winston to let us know you're interested.

Floor Gabbais

If you serve as a Floor Gabbai during the year at Shabbat services, consider volunteering to help at High Holiday services. Floor Gabbais are needed for both days of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur. Sign up using the weekly Floor Gabbai SignUp Genius, and/or contact Phil Noyovitz and Josh Winston with any questions.

Kol Nidre Food Drive

Please contribute food on Friday, September 29 for the Cornerstones Emergency Food Pantry. Click here for the Food Pantry's Wish List (High Holiday Info page A-11) and additional information. Can't bring your donation to Kol Nidre? Please bring it in advance to the CBE lobby.

Sign Up to Provide Rides to CBE

Can you help provide rides to High Holiday services or other CBE events? As a congregation, we want to make sure that all congregants wishing to participate in any CBE event can do so even if they cannot drive themselves. So we recently started a new Mitzvah Brigade Ride Board to match those who need a ride with those members who can help. We are primarily using an online signup at www.tinyurl.com/CBERides. As you’re planning your High Holiday service participation, please consider signing up on this site if you have space in the car. You will be contacted if there is a request that fits when & where you can offer a ride. Do you need a ride to come to CBE services and events? Use the above link or call the office at (703) 860-4515 ext 101.

Women's League Torah Fund

Torah Fund is a way for each member of our congregation to support the Conservative Movement. The Women’s League of Conservative Judaism’s goal is to raise scholarship money so that in these difficult financial times, Conservative Rabbis, Cantors, Synagogue & Day School Administrators, Lay Leaders, Researchers and Social Workers can be educated. Please add the Torah Fund to the worthy causes in your life. See the flyer ​(High Holiday Info page A12; also in your annual statement mailing) for more details. All contribution levels are appreciated. For any questions, please contact Judy Bergman or Karan Robinson, CBE Sisterhood Fund Torah Co-Chairs.

Other Important High Holiday Information

Security

During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the number of worshippers coming and going at the synagogue increases dramatically. Over the past few years we have been taking steps to handle the larger crowds smoothly, as well as to maintain security in and around the building. Though we are unaware of any specific threats, we must always maintain a level of vigilance commensurate with the area in which we live. 

Because our building is filled to capacity during the High Holidays it is necessary to use a ticket system in order to allow our congregants and known guests access to services. All worshippers must enter via the front doors. As you approach the front doors, please display your tickets for verification. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.  

Parking

Parking is available in the neighborhood when the CBE parking lot is full. Please be considerate of our neighbors. For everyone’s safety, please use the sidewalks. Police Officers are on duty to assist you in crossing the street. CBE volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot early in the morning. A sign will be placed at the entrance to CBE when the parking lot is full. When dropping off people at the entrance, please pull forward as far as possible to avoid traffic back-up onto the roadway.  Please do not park on the grass or along the yellow curb.

In addition to our permanent Handicap Parking, temporary spaces are marked with signs. These spaces may still be available when the general lot is full.

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

Complete schedule and info at http://bethemeth.org/sukkot-simchat-torah