At this time, registration for the High Holy Days 5783 has closed. Please contact the Synagogue Office at 301-299-7087 and we will try to accommodate everyone.
- To order a Mahzor, click HERE.
- To order a Men's Club Sukkah Kit, click HERE (order deadline September 15).
- To order Honey to support the Sherman ECC, click HERE.
- To order a Lulav & Etrog, click HERE.
- Questions regarding the Yizkor Book (Book of Remembrance) should be directed to Leslie at Leslie@harshalom.org.
- Questions regarding Billing should be directed to Jessica at jrailey@harshalom.org.
Wishing you a Shana Tova!
- The Har Shalom Staff
Dear Friends,
I am excited to share our plans for the 5783 High Holy Days! For more detailed information, please visit www.harshalom.org/HHD5783.
A few exciting changes to note for this year:
- *NEW* Meditation & Centering at 8:30am with the addition of our newest clergy member, Rabbi Rachel Simmons
- Family/Youth Services will focus on smaller age groupings (5 and under, K-3, 4-7, 8-12)
- The service usually in the Paul Family Social Hall will be in the Cahan Sanctuary
- Kol Nidre will have one main service and a pre-K – 3 family service – please indicate on the Ticket Request Form how many people from your family will be attending each
- We will maintain capacity limits and designate masked only sections in each of the services
- The service in the Burke Sanctuary will always be available on live-stream
Covid-19 Safety: In keeping with the Jewish Value of Pikuah Nefesh (saving a life) with guidance from the Reopening Task Force, we continue to encourage all our congregants who are able to get fully vaccinated, including the booster, to do so immediately. If you are eligible to be vaccinated and are not, for your safety and the safety of our community, please connect with us using the LiveStream rather than attending in person. Masks are currently optional. And as always, if you or someone in your family does not feel well, please stay home and join us virtually.
The High Holy Day Ticket Request will be done exclusively online – please make sure you are logged into your ShulCloud account before you begin filling out the form. The deadline to order tickets or register for virtual options is August 25.
Below are important notes pertaining to the High Holy Day experience for 5783. Please visit www.harshalom.org/HHD5783 for more detailed information.
For the safety and security of our community, every person entering the building must have a ticket and wear it at all times on a lanyard handed out at entry. Tickets and detailed information will be available for pick up at Har Shalom on Sept. 8, 9, and 11 and after that will be mailed.
Please review the included information carefully and fill out your Ticket Request Form as soon as possible. Service locations will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
If you have never logged into your account at harshalom.org or need password assistance, please reach out to Leslie, in the clergy office (leslie@harshalom.org).
Thank you for your dedication to Har Shalom and your continued support as we navigate the High Holy Day Season together.
My family (Danny, Shai, Maya, and myself), would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year.
L’shanah tovah tikatevu v’techatemu (May you be inscribed and sealed for a good New Year)!
Carly Litwok
Executive Director
Accessibility & Inclusion
At Har Shalom, we want all congregants, potential congregants, and others in the community to know that we are, and always aspire to be, an inclusive community and one that is accessible to those with disabilities. The Accessibility and Inclusion Committee is always on the lookout for ways to make Har Shalom even more accessible, and the Committee welcomes input from congregants. Please feel free to contact us with suggestions and feedback.
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 25
6:30PM | Ma'ariv: Burke Sanctuary**
6:43PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 1st Day: Monday, September 26
8:30AM - 9:00AM | *NEW* Meditation & Centering with Rabbi Simmons
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:00AM - 9:45AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students K- Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Youth Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students in Grades 4-7; guardians/siblings optional)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Teen Program in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students in Grades K-7)
4:30PM | Tashlikh & Minha (Meet at Gregerscroft Park) - Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlikh!
6:30PM | Ma'ariv: Burke Sanctuary**
7:42PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 2nd Day: Tuesday, September 27
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:00AM - 9:45AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM | Interactive Story & Discussion with Rabbi Raskin in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7)
12:00PM | Teen Meet & Greet with snacks in the Paul Family Social Hall
4:30PM | Drive-up Shofar Service - Families are invited to join us for a sweet treat after the shofar!
7:15PM | Minha / Ma'ariv
7:40PM | End of Yom Tov
Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre: Tuesday, October 4
6:15PM | Kol Nidre: Burke Sanctuary**
6:29PM | Candle Lighting
6:45PM | Kol Nidre Family Service (students pre-K - Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings)
Yom Kippur Day: Wednesday, October 5
8:30AM - 9:00AM | *NEW* Meditation & Centering with Rabbi Simmons
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:00AM - 9:45AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students K- Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Youth Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students in Grades 4-7; guardians/siblings optional)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Teen Program in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students in Grades K-7)
4:00PM | Rabbi's Discussion: Burke Sanctuary**
5:00PM | Minha: Burke Sanctuary**
6:15PM | Neilah: Burke Sanctuary**
7:29PM | Final Shofar
**NOTE: All Services in the Burke Sanctuary will be available for viewing via LiveStream.
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & Yom Kippur
9:00AM - 9:45AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service for families with children 5 and under with Rabbi Rachel Simmons
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Family Service for students K- Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings
Rosh Hashanah - Rabbi Rachel Simmons / Yom Kippur - Ruth Szykman, Religious School Director
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Youth Service for students Grades 4-7; guardians/siblings optional
Rosh Hashanah - Ruth Szykman, Religious School Director / Yom Kippur - Rabbi Rachel Simmons
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Teen Program for students Grades 8-12 with Samantha Haas, Youth Coordinator
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program for students K - Grade 7
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
9:00AM - 9:45AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service for families with children 5 and under with MollyBeth Rushfield
10:00AM | Interactive Story & Discussion with Rabbi Raskin (students Grades K-7)
12:00PM | Teen Meet & Greet for students Grades 8-12 with Rabbi Rachel Simmons
Kol Nidre
6:45PM | Families Service for students pre-K - Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings with MollyBeth Rushfield
NOTE: This year, babysitting will be held in the Ira & Maryjo Sherman ECC. Information will be shared with current Sherman ECC families from Morah Beth. For other families interested, please click HERE or reach out to Beth Hoch directly to confirm availability.
TRADITIONAL SERVICE | Burke Sanctuary and Cahan Sanctuary
Burke Sanctuary Service: Will reflect all the major components of the High Holy Day service. It will be a more concise worship experience, similar to past years. This service will be led by Rabbi Adam Raskin, Rabbi Rachel Simmons and Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass with sermons from Rabbi Raskin (Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & Yom Kippur) and Rabbi Simmons (Rosh Hashanah Day 2 & Kol Nidre). The service also be available via LiveStream.
Cahan Sanctuary Service (formerly the Paul Family Social Hall Service): Will feature more traditional High Holy Day prayers and readings, with some modifications. This service will be led by Rabbi Irv Elson and Rabbi Josh Cahan with sermon from Rabbi Elson.
VIRTUAL SERVICE | Available via LiveStream
The Traditional Service in the Burke Sanctuary will be available for viewing LIVE throughout the High Holy Days via www.harshalom.org/LiveStream.
GAN YOM TOV | Paul Family Social Hall
Join Rabbi Rachel Simmons (Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & Yom Kippur) / MollyBeth Rushfield (Rosh Hashanah Day 2) for a fun and engaging service at Gan Yom Tov. We’ll sing, dance, enjoy story time and make the holidays meaningful for young children. This service is geared toward families with children 5 years and younger (siblings welcome).
FAMILY SERVICE | Paul Family Social Hall
Join Rabbi Rachel Simmons (Rosh Hashanah Day 1) / MollyBeth Rushfield (Kol Nidre) / Ruth Szykman, Religious School Director (Yom Kippur) for a family service filled with High Holy Day songs and prayers and a chance to hear the shofar. This service is best for students K- Grade 3 with their guardians/siblings.
YOUTH SERVICE | Paul Family Social Hall
Join Ruth Szykman, Religious School Director (Rosh Hashanah) / Rabbi Rachel Simmons (Yom Kippur) for a service filled with songs, stories and a chance to take a deeper dive into the holiday. This service is best for students Grade 4-7; guardians/siblings optional.
YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS | Classrooms & Hospitality Suite
Youth Programs offer developmentally appropriate, engaging opportunities for our children to celebrate the High Holy Days with their friends.
There will also be an interactive, thought-provoking morning program just for teens on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 with Samantha Haas, Youth Coordinator. On Rosh Hashanah Day 2, Teens are invited to join us for snacks and a Meet & Greet with Rabbi Rachel Simmons.
TASHLIKH & MINHA SERVICE | Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlikh. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:30PM at Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park (12021 Gregerscroft Rd.). Bring a small supply of bread to cast into the water (symbolizing casting off one's sins) and a Mahzor for Minha. Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlikh!
SHOFAR SERVICE | Har Shalom Parking Lot
Hear the Shofar: Join us for an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah in the Har Shalom Parking Lot on Rosh Hashanah Day 2. Please be aware of traffic flow - you will be told where to park and will be asked to stand next to your car. Families are invited to join us for a sweet treat after the shofar!
NEILAH SERVICE | Burke Sanctuary
Join us for an opportunity to recite personal prayers in front of the open Ark. Kids are invited to bring their own shofar. Enjoy glow stick Havdalah!
MAHZOR REQUESTS
A very limited number of Mahzorim are available to borrow at Har Shalom. You can purchase a copy of Mahzor Lev Shalem (published by the Rabbinical Assembly) from Har Shalom in your Ticket Order Form (Regular Edition: $54 | Large Print Edition: $84).
If you are interested in purchasing a digital version of the Mahzor Lev Shalem, please click HERE.
HONEY FUNDRAISER FOR THE SHERMAN ECC
Click HERE to order honey to support the Ira & Maryjo Sherman Early Childhood Center at Har Shalom! ORT America's "Honey from the Heart" program is the sweet way to raise money and help transform lives and improve the world through education. Questions? Email honeysale@harshalom.org.
TASHLIKH
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlikh. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:30PM at Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park (12021 Gregerscroft Rd.). Bring a small supply of bread to cast into the water (symbolizing casting off one's sins) and a Mahzor for Minha.
KOL NIDRE FOOD COLLECTION - OPERATION ISAIAH
Each Kol Nidre, Har Shalom congregants heed the words of Isaiah to "share your bread with the hungry" (Yom Kippur Haftarah). We ask everyone to bring nonperishable food on Kol Nidre to be distributed by the Manna Food Bank to those in need in our community.
SELIHOT
Details coming soon!
This year, you can purchase your Lulav & Etrog through the Ticket Order Form. We are offering Standard ($60), Deluxe ($70), and Premium ($85) options.
MEN'S CLUB SUKKAH KITS
We build our famous kits for you, at our cost. For over 10 years Men’s Club at Har Shalom has built and offered Sukkah Kits for congregants and their families. Now you too, can perform the mitzvah of building and dwelling in your own home Sukkah. Our kits are easy to assemble and store. The Sukkah is 8’ x 10’ x 7’ high. Order kits for yourself, or as a gift for others. Click HERE for more details!
Place your order through the Ticket Order Form or by printing the PDF and sending a check. Orders must be received by Thursday, September 15. Pick-up at Har Shalom at 9:15AM - 12:00PM on Sunday, October 2.
YIZKOR BOOK, 5783 (2022-2023)
The Yizkor Book (Book of Remembrance) is available at the Yom Kippur Yizkor Service as well as Yizkor Services throughout the year. To be included in this year's book, entries must be received by Wednesday, August 25. Please complete your entry with your Ticket Order Form. Last year's Book of Remembrance can be viewed at www.HarShalom.org/BOR.
ANNUAL CEMETERY SERVICES
The annual public Memorial Service in memory of all departed will be conducted by clergy at both locations:
- Judean Memorial Gardens (16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney) on Sunday, October 2 at 10:30AM . For more information, contact Judean Memorial Gardens (301-384-1000).
- Garden of Remembrance (14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg) on Sunday, September 18 at 10:00AM and 2:00PM. For directions and other information, visit www.gardenofremembrance.org or call 301-428-3000.
This is a long-standing, uplifting custom of including the memories of our loved ones as a part of our personal reflections for the High Holy Day season.
PARKING
Regular HHD Parking: HHD Parking for the general public is off-site with regular shuttle bus service to and from Har Shalom starting at 7:45AM. Parking locations, instructions and shuttle bus schedules will be mailed with your tickets.
Special Needs Parking: Parking spaces at Har Shalom are primarily for Congregants with disabilities. Parking passes issued by Har Shalom are required to park in the Har Shalom lot. Congregants with disabilities may apply for a parking pass in the Ticket Order Form.
Purchased Reserved Parking: A limited number of reserved parking spaces in the Har Shalom parking lot are available for purchase for use throughout the HHDs for $500 on a first come first served basis. Proceeds support programming and operations expenses. Please use the Ticket Order Form to purchase parking.
Thank you to our Share Your Blessings 5782 Donors at the $1,800+ level - your parking pass will be included with your High Holy Day 5783 Tickets.
Alternatively, you may also purchase a raffle ticket in the Ticket Order Form to win a parking space.
Throughout the High Holy Days, we will be streaming the Traditional Service from the Burke Sanctuary which can be accessed at www.HarShalom.org/LiveStream.