Dear Friends,
Shana Tova! I am excited to share our plans for the 5786 High Holy Days! For more detailed information, please scroll down.
A few things to note for this year:
- We will continue to offer two main services – with both the Burke Sanctuary Service and the Cahan Sanctuary Service beginning at 8:30am.
- In addition to Rabbi Raskin’s annual Yom Kippur Text Study we will also have a gentle yoga/meditation led by Susan Grant.
- On Rosh Hashanah Day 2, Rabbi Raskin will lead a Discussion on “Avinu Malkeinu״ (Our Father/Parent our King/Sovereign): Why we use metaphors of monarchy and parenthood to describe God on the High Holidays?”.
- We will have two Kol Nidre services and continue to offer a Yom Tov Chaverim for our K-7 children.
- The service in the Burke Sanctuary will always be available on live-stream.
- New This Year:
- We will offer a Junior Congregation service for students in grades 4-7.
- Appropriate family services/programming will be available for our preschool aged children, grades K-3, and teens.
- We are offering an Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel.
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 September 1.
Below are important notes pertaining to the High Holy Day experience for 5786.
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 purple lanyard handed out at entry. Tickets and detailed information will be available for pick up at Har Shalom office on Thursday, September 11 from 9am-5pm, Friday, September 12 from 9am-3pm and at the Back to Shul Picnic on September 14. After that the tickets will be mailed.
Please review the information carefully and fill out your Ticket Request Form as soon as possible (Deadline: September 1). 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 Daniel in the main office at 301-299-7087 or Dmontalvo@harshalom.org.
Thank you for your dedication to Har Shalom and your continued support as we enter into 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. Help yourself to the resources available outside the Burke and Cahan Sanctuaries. Please feel free to contact us with suggestions and feedback.
*NEW* this year! Please join us for an Inclusive Service at 10:15AM the mornings of Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Rosh Hashanah Day 2, and Yom Kippur. More details can be found in the schedule and service descriptions below.
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Monday, September 22
6:30PM | Ma'ariv: Burke Sanctuary**
6:47PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 1st Day: Tuesday, September 23
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
8:30AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:15AM - 10:00AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
4:00PM | Tashlich & Mincha (Meet at Gregerscroft Park) - Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlich!
7:43PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 2nd Day: Wednesday, September 24
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:15AM - 10:30AM | "Avinu Malkeinu״ (Our Father/Parent our King/Sovereign): Why we use metaphors of monarchy and parenthood to describe God on the High Holidays? - Learning and discussion with Rabbi Raskin in the Cahan Sanctuary
9:15AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre: Wednesday, October 1
6:33PM | Candle Lighting
6:30PM | Kol Nidre: Cahan Sanctuary
6:30PM | Kol Nidre: Burke Sanctuary**
7:00PM - 7:45PM | Kol Nidre Chaverim (students pre-K - Grade 3 with guardian)
Yom Kippur Day: Thursday, October 2
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
8:30AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:15AM - 10:00AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
3:00PM | Gentle Yoga/Meditation in the Paul Family Social Hall
4:00PM | Rabbi Raskin's Study Session in the Burke Sanctuary - In person ONLY
5:15PM | Mincha: Burke Sanctuary**
6:15PM | Neilah: Burke Sanctuary** (Kids are invited to bring their own shofar and join us for glow stick Havdalah!)
7:29PM | Final Shofar
**NOTE: All Services in the Burke Sanctuary will be available for viewing via LiveStream.
Any students Grade 3 or younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
9:15AM - 10:00AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (available for students Grades K-3 and Inclusion, *registration required*)
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
9:15AM - 10:00AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (available for students Grades K-3 and Inclusion, *registration required*)
Kol Nidre
7:00PM | Kol Nidre Chaverim for students pre-K - Grade 3 with a guardian
Yom Kippur
9:15AM - 10:00AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Yom Tov Chaverim Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with students Grades K-3 with guardian)
10:15AM - 11:45AM | Junior Congregation Student Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades 4-7)
10:15AM - 11:00AM | Inclusive Service in the Stein Family Chapel (all are welcome)
11:00AM - 12:30PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (available for students Grades K-3 and Inclusion, *registration required*)
Todah Rabah to this year's team of Clergy and Educators including Rabbi Adam Raskin, Rabbi Shira Rosenblum, Cantor Max Silverstone, Rabbi Irv Elson, Rabbi Josh Cahan, Beth Hoch, Sara Fink, MollyBeth Rushfield, Ronit Miller, and Joanna Rubin.
TRADITIONAL SERVICE | Burke Sanctuary and Cahan Sanctuary
Services in both the Burke and Cahan sanctuaries reflect all of the major elements of the High Holidays, as well as reflections and explanations of readings and prayers, congregational singing, and sermons from our rabbis. Livestream will be available for the Burke Sanctuary service only.
GAN YOM TOV | Paul Family Social Hall
Join us 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).
YOM TOV CHAVERIM & KOL NIDRE CHAVERIM | Paul Family Social Hall
Similar to Shabbat Chaverim, join us for an interactive program filled with High Holy Day songs, stories, and activities. This program is for students in Grades K-3 with a parent/guardian present.
JUNIOR CONGREGATION (STUDENT SERVICE) | Paul Family Social Hall
An interactive service and program for students in Grades 4-7.
INCLUSIVE SERVICE | Stein Family Chapel
Experience the beauty of the Holy Days with a shortened music-forward Inclusive Service with adaptive resources and other accommodations. All are welcome!
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.
Teen Programs: interactive, thought-provoking program with snacks.
TASHLICH & MINCHA SERVICE | Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlich. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:00PM 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 Machzor for Mincha. Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlich!
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!
MACHZOR REQUESTS
You can purchase a copy of Machzor Lev Shalem (published by the Rabbinical Assembly) from Har Shalom in your Ticket Order Form (Regular Edition: $54 | Large Print Edition: $84).
Thanks to a generous donation by Nadine & Alan Levin, machzorim will be available to borrow in the sanctuaries this year.
TASHLICH
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlich. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:00PM 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 Machzor for Mincha.
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.
SELICHOT
Join us Saturday, September 13 beginning at 7:45PM to socialize followed by Havdalah and kumzitz with songs, niggunim, and kavvanot around the fire pit on the Friedson Family Patio. More information 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.
YIZKOR BOOK
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 September 1. 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, September 28 at 10:30AM. For more information, contact Judean Memorial Gardens (301-384-1000).
- Garden of Remembrance (14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg) on Sunday, September 28 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.
Accessible Parking: Parking spaces at Har Shalom are primarily for Congregants with accessibility issues. Parking passes issued by Har Shalom are required to park in the Har Shalom lot. Congregants 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 5785 Donors at the $1,800+ level - your parking pass will be included with your High Holy Day 5786 Tickets.
Alternatively, you may also purchase a raffle ticket in the Ticket Order Form to win a parking space.