Dear Friends:
By now you should be aware that our High Holiday services this year will be conducted virtually. So you may be wondering, how do I access services and programming? What technology will I need? How can I attend virtual services with my family and friends? This email will help to answer these questions and more! Be sure to read to the end - even if you are proficient with technology – as there is information specific to Temple Aliyah’s technology.
Before you read on, however, please make sure to mark your calendar for a CONGREGATIONAL DRESS REHEARSAL THIS WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 and 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. These rehearsals, complete with a help desk telephone number ( 857-444-5606), will give you an opportunity to test your home computer and get help accessing Livestream and accessing Zoom, or creating a Zoom Party.
How Do I Access Services?
Services on both days of Rosh Hashanah, on Erev Yom Kippur, and on Yom Kippur will be available through Livestream. To access our Livestream, all you need is a computer with speakers and a link that we will provide to you a week before Rosh Hashanah. No password is needed.
The other adult services and programming – including discussion groups after Rabbi Perkins' sermon on the second day of Rosh Hashanah - will be conducted on Zoom. Each one will have a unique and secure Zoom link.
All of our Temple Tots, Children’s, and Teen Services will be conducted on Zoom and will have unique and secure Zoom links.
What is Livestream and How Do I Access It?
Attending a service on Livestream will be like watching something on the television. With Livestream, you will be seeing a live video feed of the services, which will be conducted by Rabbi Perkins, Cantor Gloth and many lay daveners and Torah readers from different locations. You will not be seen or heard during the broadcast, and there will be no interaction between congregants. To access Livestream, you simply need to click the link that will be available on the front page of the temple website and in an email that will be sent to you before Rosh Hashanah.
What is Zoom and How Do I Learn How to Use It?
Zoom is one of many videoconferencing platforms that allow for interaction among all of the participants. You might already be familiar with Zoom, as this is how we presently conduct our Shabbat and Monday morning services and our minyanim. On Zoom, you control whether you are seen or heard. Every Zoom session has a host who can also mute participants in order to minimize background noise. To access a Zoom service or program, you will need click on a link specific to each service or program. These links will be sent to you several days before Rosh Hashanah. To learn how to access Zoom, you can learn more on the Internet or you can contact [email protected].
Is There Other Programming and If So, How Do I Access It?
We will offer a full array of lectures, videos, and written materials to enhance your High Holiday experience that will be accessible from links we will make available to you before the High Holidays. There will also be links to all of the Rabbi’s sermons after he delivers them, to the President's Appeal, and to all other High Holiday appeals.
What’s This I Hear About Being Able to See My Temple Friends
at Virtual Services?
Although we will not be able to see one another in person, we will be able to see each other as we transition to our Torah services through our Zoom Gallery. To join the Zoom Gallery, you will need to go onto Zoom with a link we will make available before the High Holidays. Through the miracles of modern technology, the screens of those in the Zoom Gallery will be scrolled on Livestream (without audio!). We encourage you to join the Zoom Gallery as this is one of the ways that we can all see one another.
Additionally, we encourage you to submit a video to be included in Temple Aliyah: Community Greetings and Stories High Holiday Greetings, which will be available for viewing during the High Holidays. This takes just a few minutes and is very easy (no technology experience necessary!). To submit a video, click here.
Did I Read That I Can Attend Services Virtually With My Family and Friends?
Yes! You read correctly. We know that you will want to spend time with your family and friends during these important days, so we came up with a “Zoom Party” - our term for watching Livestream services with others. To do this, you will need to sign up for a Zoom account (some accounts are free and some have a nominal monthly charge but you can cancel after the High Holidays). One person (the “host”) creates a Zoom meeting and invites others to join. While on Zoom, the host accesses Livestream in a different window and shares the Livestream with the others on his or her screen. The result is a Zoom meeting – let’s call it a party! - where everyone in the meeting can see and talk with one another while also viewing Livestream. A Zoom Party can be done with any videoconferencing platform. We recommend that you rehearse your Zoom party before the High Holidays, perhaps at our Congregational Technology Dress Rehearsal.
We welcome your family and friends and would be delighted if you were to invite them to join us. Although we are not charging for tickets this year, we certainly would welcome – and sincerely appreciate - a donation from non-members to help defray the costs of producing virtual services. For guest information and to donate, click here.
My Computer Screen Is So Small. Is There a Way I Can “Attend” Services With My Television Screen?
If you are technologically savvy or know someone who is, you may be able to connect your computer to a “smart” TV with an appropriate cable (such as an HDMI cable) and, if necessary, an adapter (sometimes referred to as a “dongle”). Alternatively, you may connect your computer wirelessly to some “smart” TVs through Chromecast, AppleTV, or other wireless services. Check the Internet or your TV manual for more information. Be assured, however, that you will be able to experience a fulfilling and rewarding service even on your computer screen or other device.
How Can I Rehearse Using My Technology So That I Do Not Miss Any Parts of Services? What If I Need Help?
Come to one or more of our Congregational Technology Dress Rehearsals to make sure you can access Livestream and Zoom and, if you want, to make sure you can create a Zoom Party. These rehearsals are this Wednesday and Thursday, from 7 to 9 pm. The help desk will be open during this time! For help, dial 857-444-5606.
For Zoom, go to:
Meeting ID: 998 3671 7567
Passcode: aliyah1818
Can You Explain How I Will Receive the Links I Will Need For Services and Programming? How Will I Know The Times of Services and Live Programming?
Several days before Rosh Hashanah, we will send you an email with a link to a secure website page. This page will contain the following:
-Our livestream link (which will also be available on the temple website homepage)
-Links to all Zoom services and live programs
-Links to recorded lectures and topical videos as well as written materials
-Links to the Rabbi's sermons(after he delivers them) and to the President's Appeal and all other High Holiday appeals
-Times for services and live programming
We ask that you not share this secure link with anyone you do not fully trust.
What If I Need Technology Help On The Day Of Services?
Our help desk volunteers will be available during the following services at the following times:
Erev Rosh Hashanah, September 18, from 5:45 to 6:15 pm
Rosh Hashanah Day 1, September 19, from 8:30 to 10 am
Rosh Hashanah Day 2, September 20, from 8:30 am to 12 noon
Erev Yom Kippur, September 27, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Yom Kippur Day, September 28, from 8:30 to 10 am
To contact the help desk on any of these days, call 857-444-5606.
Whom Do I Contact With Other Questions About the High Holidays?
We would be happy to hear from you with any questions, comments or concerns. Email [email protected].
We look forward to spending time and “seeing” you during the High Holidays. May you and yours have a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.
Peter Seresky and Aviva Jezer
Temple Aliyah High Holiday Co-Chairs
