High Holidays
High Holiday FAQs
What books do we use? Gates of Repentance is our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayerbook. Created by the Reform Movement it contains readings, meditations, and songs and has gender inclusive language throughout.
Where’s it all going to be? Services will be held in our beautiful sanctuary. Tashlich will be at Woodward Park and Yom Kippur Break the Fast will be held at a congregants home.
Rabbi? We’ve got one. Rabbi Rick Winer. Word around town is he’s pretty awesome!
Kids? We have family services at 2:00 PM on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We also offer a service for youth in 5th grade and above on Erev Rosh Hashanah. Children are always welcome at regular services and you and your child are invited to take a break in the Temple Library or outside on our playground.
Food? No, because, we will be fasting. Well, just on Yom Kippur, the rest of the time there will be food and lots of it. After services on Erev Rosh Hashanah there will be an Oneg hosted by Sisterhood. Yom Kippur Break the Fast will be a community wide celebration at a community member’s home.
Parking? There is plenty of parking at TBI, though we suggest you get here early. Parking at Woodward park for Tashlich is outside the Japanese Tea Garden and there is an entrance fee. Street parking is really the only option at Break the Fast. We recommend people carpool (there is a sign up sheets in the lobby). There will be a limited number of spaces reserved for those who need assistance to Break the Fast.
Ok, it sounds great. How can I get tickets?
- Non-members: If you would like to attend High Holy Days, don’t wait, space is limited. Call the TBI office today 559-432-3600.
- Members: By now you should have received your tickets via snail mail. Please call the office if you have not. You can also request extra tickets by calling the office.
- Members AND non-members: Get your Port & Chocolate tickets for Sukkot! (watch for more info).
- Members AND non-members: Dinner in the Sukkah Wednesday, October 16 (more info below).
We need volunteers to help us. To offer your energy please contact Jeanna Francis at jeannagf2931@gmail.com or 559-432-3600.
Sukkot
What is Sukkot? Click here for information on the rituals and history of Sukkot
As always, at Temple Beth Israel there is ample opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah! Here is a schedule of events:
Join the TBI community in building the Sukkah on Sunday, October 13 at 9:00 AM. Brotherhood will have bagels, lox, schmeer and danishes, coffee, juice and water. Tools needed: drills, battery or electric, Philips head bits. Please contact Gary Greenberg for more information at 559-269-1340.
Fourth Tuesday Lunch in the Sukkah on Tuesday, October 15 at 11:30 AM Lovely weather and a delicious lunch in our beautiful Sukkah makes this one of our favorite annual activities. Open to anyone 50+. Cost is $7.00, reservations required. Contact Judy Haber, jahaber@comcast.net or 559-431-2102. Hope to see you in the Sukkah!
Mah Jong in the Sukkah on Wednesday, October 16 at 11:15 AM-4:00 PM, bring your own lunch.
Tacos in the Sukkah Fundraiser on Wednesday, October 16 at 6:00 PM, $15/person. This year, the annual Religious School fundraiser in the Sukkah moves from China to Mexico! The Poverello House taco truck will be here to serve street tacos (vegetarian and gluten-free options available). RSVPS appreciated, call the TBI office 559-432-3600.
Multi-Faith Exchange Dinner & Sing-a-long in the Sukkah on Thursday, October 17 on 5:30 PM.
Friday, October 18 Shabbat in the Sukkah
- 6:00 PM Tot Shabbat
- 6:30 PM Picnic Dinner(bring your own)
- 7:30 PM Shabbat Service
Torah Study in the Sukkah Saturday, October 19, from 9:00 to 10:15 AM. Join us for Torah study and a morning snack, lay led as always.
Port and Chocolate in the Sukkah Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 PM. This year’s Port and Chocolate in the Sukkah event promises to be a lovely evening with good food and wine, good friends, great weather and wonderful Havdalah service. $20 per person for all the food and wine, good company and the mitzvah of celebrating Havdalah and eating/drinking in the sukkah. $10 per person for all food and hot chocolate, good company and the mitzvah of celebrating Havdalah and eating/drinking in the sukkah. Please join us!
Simchat Torah
Immediately following Sukkot, we celebrate Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives. As part of the celebration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue. During the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah, D’varim (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B’reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah. For more information on Simchat Torah, click here.
Hanukkah
We celebrate the festival of lights by coming together to light our Hanukkah menorahs, sing songs, eat latkes (potato pancakes), play dreidel and enjoy a variety of Hanukkah treats and traditions.
Purim
Purim is a party for all ages at Temple Beth Israel. We retell the story in a variety of ways. The kids put on a Purim Production. The TBI Brotherhood runs our Purim Carnival for kids and there’s always an evening just for the adults too.
Passover
Passover is a major holiday so we have several events every year. The Sunday School Model Seder provides a seder experience for many families. Our senior community enjoys the Fourth Tuesday Seder every year and everyone is welcome to join us for the Community Seder, a not-so-traditional multi-media Seder experience fulfilling all the traditional elements of the Passover Seder.
