High Holy Days Menu
In this short video, Rabbi Aliza introduces Eliana Golding, who will join us this High Holy Day season as our shaliach tzibur—leading prayer and song with heart, depth, and joy.
High Holy Days with
Rabbi Aliza Schwartz
2025/5786
EREV ROSH HASHANAH
Monday, September 22
6:15pm - 7:30pm
Rabbi Aliza Schwartz and Eliana Golding, Shaliach Tzibur (Prayer Leader)
ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1
Tuesday, September 23
9:30am - 1:00pm
Main Sanctuary Service with Rabbi Aliza Schwartz and Eliana Golding, Shaliach Tzibur (Prayer Leader)
If you are interested in childcare during any part of the High Holy Days, please call the temple office 617-323-0486
High Holy Day Sing-Along @ HBT
8:30am - 9:30am
Geared toward children under 4 and their grownups (no drop-offs, please).
Celebrate the sweetness of the New Year with singing, movement, and joy! Join us for a playful High Holiday gathering featuring holiday songs, apples & honey, and a warm welcome to 5786.
CHILDREN AGES 4 - SECOND GRADE
8:30am - 9:30am
Participatory Family Services for Children Ages 4yrs-2nd grade and Their Grown Ups
Please join us for a participatory family service for children and their grown-ups! We will discover the themes of the holiday, pray together and laugh a little, too.
This service is designed for children age 4 years through current 2nd graders AND their grown ups. No drop offs, please. We will sing prayers, both familiar and special for the Holy Days, and tell stories.
CHILDREN SERVICE GRADE 3 - 6
Time to be determined
TEEN DISCUSSION
Time to be determined
If you are interested in childcare during any part of the High Holy Days, please call the temple office 617-323-0486
TASHLICH @ Millenium Park, meet at the boat launch dock
4:30pm
Come hear a story from Rabbi Aliza! We will provide sunflower seeds to toss in the water! (Please do not bring bread as it is harmful to the ecosystem)
ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2
Wednesday, September 24
9:30am - 1:00pm
Rabbi Aliza Schwartz and Eliana Golding, Shaliach Tzibur (Prayer Leader)
If you are interested in childcare during any part of the High Holy Days, please call the temple office 617-323-0486
Shabbat Shuva
Saturday September 27
10:00am - 12:30pm
The first Shabbat of the Jewish New Year is called Shabbat Shuvah, or the Sabbath of return. If that word reminds you of the word teshuvah, that’s not a coincidence — they share a common root.
Teshuvah, or repentance, is a core concept of the High Holidays. The word literally means “return.” Services on Shabbat Shuvah are typically solemn and focused. And the Haftarah portion deals with themes of repentance and forgiveness.
KOL NIDRE
Wednesday, October 1
6:00pm - 8:15pm
Rob Kalish will play the cello during Kol Nidre. Please arrive on time or even a few minutes early. The sanctuary doors will be closed during the chanting of Kol Nidre. If you arrive after Kol Nidre begins, please enter quietly when the usher lets you in and take a seat in the back only; you may move forward afterward.
If you are interested in childcare during any part of the High Holy Days, please call the temple office 617-323-0486
It is our custom to wear white. Rabbi Aliza Schwartz and Eliana Golding, Shaliach Tzibur (Prayer Leader)
YOM KIPPUR
Thursday, October 2
BABY & TODDLER PROGRAMMING
High Holy Day Sing-Along @ HBT
8:30am - 9:30am
Geared toward children under 4 and their grownups (no drop-offs, please).
Celebrate the sweetness of the New Year with singing, movement, and joy! Join us for a playful High Holiday gathering featuring holiday songs, apples & honey, and a warm welcome to 5786.
New Gathering for a New Year!
8:30am - 9:30am
Participatory Family Services for Children Ages 4yrs-2nd grade and Their Grown Ups
Please join us for a participatory family service for children and their grown-ups! We will discover the themes of the holiday, pray together and laugh a little, too.
This service is designed for children age 4 years through current 2nd graders AND their grown ups. No drop offs, please. We will sing prayers, both familiar and special for the Holy Days, and tell stories.
CHILDREN SERVICE GRADE 3 - 6
Time to be determined
TEEN DISCUSSION
Time to be determined
If you are interested in childcare during any part of the High Holy Days, please call the temple office 617-323-0486
MAIN SANCTUARY SERVICE with Rabbi Aliza Schwartz and Eliana Golding, Shaliach Tzibur (Prayer Leader)
9:30am - 1:30pm
BODY, SPIRIT, MIND
1:40pm - 4:10pm
By weaving together yoga for the body, meditation for the spirit, reflection for the mind you will be guided on a holistic journey, fully embracing the themes of Yom Kippur and its opportunities for reflection, healing, and renewal.
Session 1 - 1:40pm - 2:25pm
Chair Yoga with Laurie Rotman
Further enhance your Yom Kippur experience with an easy chair or standing yoga session to clear the mind and relax the body. We will incorporate breath work and gentle poses to reinvigorate us, using our bodies to express the High Holiday themes of awareness and self-exploration. No prior yoga experience, special clothing, or props are needed.
Session 2- 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Making Meaning of the Yom Kippur Liturgy, presented by Elana Elstein: This highly interactive workshop will include small group study and whole group discussion of some key aspects of the Yom Kippur service. Which prayers trouble you; which prayers help you feel better? And why? What does it mean to renounce all our vows? And how can we set an authentic intention to be a better person in the new year?
Session 3 3:25pm - 4:10pm
Chanting and Pausing, led by Tracy Rich: We will gather in a circle to chant simple phrases in a meditative way. We will reflect in silence and some sharing to incorporate some of the energy and impact of the high holidays. No Hebrew or singing ability required.
Afternoon Service
Yizkor - 4:15pm
Mincha - 5:00pm
Ne’ila - 5:45pm
Havdallah - 7:00pm
TEMPLE COMMUNITY BREAK FAST
The community is invited to break fast at the temple immediately following Havdallah at 7:00pm, Thursday, October 2. A cold dairy meal will be served in the Knopf Social Hall.
RSVP by Monday September 29, so we can plan accordingly.
The cost is: $25 per person or $62 per family