Dear Bet Torah Family,


As Rabbi Brusso wrote recently, for a while we really thought these High Holy Days would be a large communal exhale. But we’ll have to wait a little longer for that.


For now, those of us who feel comfortable will worship in person, and the rest will participate virtually. 


Masking will be required everywhere indoors and in the Tent services. 


The health and safety of the community are of utmost importance, and they will guide everything we do.


Please see the schedule for a full listing of services offered in-person and virtually. 

Schedule

In-Person Participation

  • Services in the Sanctuary are only for fully vaccinated adults, teens, and children. Vaccinated adults, teens, and children under 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, are welcome at Tent Services.
  • Unlike previous years, you will not be able to move between the Sanctuary and the Tent during services, and those in the Tent will not be able to access the building. (There will be portable facilities outside.)
  • Since we anticipate we will not be at full capacity in the Sanctuary and the Tent, we encourage family cohorts/pods to sit together and leave empty seats between them and others. Ushers will help with this.
  • Please do not congregate between services in the hallways or other inside common areas, or in the Tent.
  • The following in-person services in the Sanctuary and Tent require tickets for entry:
  • Rosh Hashanah Morning Day 1: Tuesday, September 7 
  • Rosh Hashanah Morning Day 2: Wednesday, September 8 
  • Kol Nidre: Wednesday, September 15 
  • Yom Kippur Morning: Thursday, September 16 
  • Yizkor / Ne’ilah: Thursday, September 16
  • Tickets are still available, and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Please get your ticket requests in as soon as possible. (Thank you to those who have already done so.) If you need help with ticket requests, please contact Seth Young (syoung@bettorah.org) or call the office at 914-666-7595.
  • Safety is paramount. We encourage frequent use of hand sanitizer, which will be made readily available during services. We will take other precautions, including limiting those who are unmasked on the bimah, using covers on the shofars, which will also be distanced.


Participation Online

  • Because many people will not be coming in person, we have created a way to view the Sanctuary and Tent services. Services will be led by those present in person and viewed by those online. 
  • The Sanctuary services will feature multiple cameras, ambient sound, and mimic the feeling of being present at the service. There will only be one camera in the Tent services. 
  • If you are watching virtually, you will be able to join a service at any time and switch between services as much as you want. 
  • Details on how to access services online will be sent out in advance. 
  • How to obtain Mahzorim (High Holy Day prayer books) for virtual participation at home
  • If you would like to borrow Mahzorim, you may stop by Bet Torah from August 25th to September 2nd between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  
  • We have purchased online, digital versions of the Mahzor for the community. The link is here.
  • You may also purchase your own print edition of the Lev Shalem Mahzor if you place your order by TODAY, Tuesday, August 24th. 

Please share your Kavanot!

Once again, throughout the High Holy Days, we will be featuring your words and thoughts in the form of Kavanot, or intentions. These are brief statements of meaning that serve to make our prayers more personal and accessible. Some of your words will be shared by clergy and some by you.


The Hebrew month of Elul preceding the holidays is a time of reflection. We hope you will use this exercise as a form of personal preparation, as well as a way to share voices in community. 



  • What is your hope/blessing for the new year for yourself, your family, your community, your country, your world?
  • What is something you have learned from this experience of pandemic that you don’t want to forget?
  • As you enter these holidays and seek the words that are in your heart, what is it you want to say?
Share your thoughts!

We look forward to sharing the High Holy Days with you, whether in person or online. With the help of the Medical Advisory Group, we will continue to monitor conditions closely, and will let you know if any guidance changes.

 

L’Shana Tova!

Amy Horowitz

President

president@bettorah.org

Seth Young

Executive Director

syoung@bettorah.org