Service Descriptions
Traditional Service: Please join Rabbi Fineberg, Cantor Gloth, and our entire community for our traditional High Holiday services in Berger Hall. We are excited to welcome many familiar faces as shlichei tzibbur (prayer leaders) and Torah readers. We can’t wait to share this special time with you.
Alternative Service: Rabbi Gordon is so excited to be returning to Temple Israel to lead alternative High Holiday services. This service will bridge a traditional and more experiential prayer experience. On both days of Rosh Hashanah (as well as Yom Kippur morning) we will begin in Founders Hall immediately after Shacharit concludes in Berger Hall. While maintaining much of the structure of the Mahzor, this shorter service will abbreviate some traditional texts and supplement others with English poetry and reflections. Second Day Rosh Hashana will differ notably, including a discussion in place of the sermon and enhancing the traditional davening with meditations and contemporary Hebrew and English singing. Services will be shorter than they have been historically and will include more English readings. Both days will include a full Torah reading and a curated Haftarah.
Chavurah:The Chavurah Service is a small participatory service which meets in Founders Hall. It features a mix of both traditional and creative davening, spirited communal singing, led by lay members of the congregation. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mornings, the service includes the Torah Service, a D’var Torah with discussion, a Heicha Kedusha Musaf, and supplementary participatory readings. On Yom Kippur, the Chavurah Service also meets for Kol Nidre and Neilah.
Rosh Hashana Mincha Healing Service: Many of us are feeling fatigued by world events, saddened by personal loss, or depleted by health challenges. If your soul is in need of recharging for any reason, please join us for a Rosh Hashanah Mincha Healing Service. This brief, uplifting, spiritual and musical service, led by Rabbi Fineberg and Cantor Gloth, is aimed at creating the physical and emotional space for our congregants to draw comfort from words, music and prayer. All are welcome.
Livestream Attendees and Mahzor Pickup
Please note that tickets are not required if you plan to participate via Livestream. However, please register HERE to reserve your Machzorim (prayer books for the High Holidays).
Machzor Bag Pick-up:
Bags will be available to be picked up at Temple Israel on the following days and times:
- Sunday, September 14th (9:30-12:30pm)
- Monday, September 15th (4:00-7:00pm)
- Thursday, September 18th (3:00-6:00pm)
- In TI Main Office, upon request
Machzor Return:
We request that you return the Machzorim to the synagogue during one of the following days and times:
Family Services and Youth Programming
Join us at Temple Israel for engaging Youth High Holiday programming! Enjoy age-appropriate games and relay races, guided discussions, a “Birthday of the World” celebration, shofar blowing, Torah learning, and services for all ages.
Family Service – Erev Rosh Hashanah, Monday, September 22nd at 5pm: Join us for a family service for children and adults of all ages, with special focus on our youngest congregants. This special service will include singing, stories, and some tot-sized holiday learning. We’re thrilled to share that Rabbi Fineberg and Cantor Gloth will lead this special service. The service will be held in the Sanctuary.
Youth Programming for Grades K-7: 9am – 12:30pm: Drop off is available at 9am with programming beginning at 9:45am for grades K-7. Grades 4-7 will have their own youth service in Founders Hall from 11-11:50am. All ages will have a variety of programming including activities, games, outdoor play, and shofar blowing which will all help our youth celebrate the high holidays together.
Pick up is at 12:30pm from Founders Hall following Shofar Blowing on Rosh Hashana and from the Playground on Yom Kippur (weather permitting).
Family Services on RH 1 & 2 and YK- for children ages 0-3rd grade from 9:45 – 10:55am: Join us for a family-friendly High Holiday service where children are invited to help lead their favorite tefillot (prayers), sing together in community, and experience the holidays in an engaging and meaningful way. This abbreviated service will include a mix of traditional prayers, shortened for age-appropriateness, along with familiar English readings and songs. The service will take place in Founders Hall, and we look forward to sharing this special time with you and your family.
Neilah: 5:45pm -7:00pm: Students in Grades K–5 are invited to a special youth program during the Neilah service. Together, participants will explore the meaning and significance of Neilah, reflect on their High Holiday experience, sing a few traditional songs and prayers, play games, hear a story, and enjoy time socializing with friends.
L'Chaim for the World and Tashlich
Tuesday, September 23rd
L’Chaim – Cheers to the New Year – 4:00 PM
Join us as we raise a glass and say “Cheers” to a sweet New Year. This special gathering will bring our community together to celebrate and share blessings for the year ahead. Whether you’re new to Temple Israel or a long-time member, L’Chaim! is the perfect way to connect, reflect, and start the year with joy and togetherness. We look forward to toasting with you!
Tashlich and Mincha at Lake Massapoag – 5:00 PM
After we celebrate, we’ll head down to Lake Massapoag for Tashlich followed by Mincha with the whole TI community. Join us as we symbolically cast away our sins. In keeping with longstanding TI tradition, please bring small pebbles or stones* to toss in the lake as we rid ourselves of behaviors that have weighed us down this year. At the lake, we’ll make sure the year isn’t off to a rocky start, that we never sink, and that our growth in life is solid and always rolling forward. Family friendly, pets are welcome (on leash per local ordinance).
*Bread is bad for the local wildlife, so to honor the mitzvah of tzaar baalei chaim/oncern for animals, please don’t bring bread.
Ticket Registration
Everyone that enters the building on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur needs to have a ticket. This is for all participants including those in Youth Programming and Babysitting.
Should you have guests that require tickets:
Base/Associate Members & Adult Guests of Members | Older Children of Members (19-25 years old) | |
|---|---|---|
RH & YK | $250 | $36
|
RH | $170 | $25
|
YK | $85 | $18
|
Non-Members are always welcome to come and experience services at Temple Israel. High Holiday tickets are available to non-members, too. We know that you’ll love the services and want to become members! Contact us after the High Holidays, and we will apply the cost of your tickets to your New Membership. Please note that Members do get priority for tickets.
Adults | Children (0-5 years old)* | Children (5-18 years old) | College Students** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RH & YK | $360 | $10
| $100
| $75
|
RH | $180 | $10
| $50
| $50
|
YK | $180 | $10
| $50
| $25
|
**Please contact the Temple Israel office if you need financial assistance.
Please make sure to read through all the directions on the form before submitting.
Click here to fill out your High Holiday Ticket Registration
Did you submit your form and need to make changes?
You need to email the office with your specific requests.
High Holiday Services Schedule*
Monday, September 22nd
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sanctuary
5:00 PM – Family Services
Sanctuary & Livestream
6:15 PM – Mincha & Ma’ariv
6:23 PM – Candle Lighting
Tuesday, September 23rd
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Berger Hall & Livestream
8:30 AM – Psukei D’zimra
9:00 AM – Shacharit
10:00 AM – Torah Service
11:00 AM – Sermon
11:30 AM – Musaf
6:15 PM – Mincha
7:21 PM – Candle lighting from pre-existing flame
7:25 PM – Ma’ariv
Sanctuary
10:00 AM – Alternative Service (starts with Torah Service)
Weitzenkorn Family Chapel
10:00 AM – Chavurah service (starts with Torah Service)
Founders Hall
9:45 AM – Family Service
Religious School Wing
Youth Programming for Grades K-7
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
4:00 PM – L’chaim to the World
5:00 PM – Tashlich & Mincha (at the lake)
Wednesday, September 24th
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
In Berger Hall & Livestream
8:30 AM – Psukei D’zimra
9:00 AM – Shacharit
10:00 AM – Torah Service
11:00 AM – Sermon
11:30 AM – Musaf
6:15 PM – Mincha Healing Service
7:20 PM – Ma’ariv and Havdallah
Sanctuary
10:00 AM – Alternative Service (starts with Torah Service)
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Continued
Founders Hall
9:45 AM – Family Service
Religious School Wing
Youth Programming for Grades K-7
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Wednesday, October 1st
Kol Nidre
Berger Hall & Livestream
5:50 PM – Mincha
6:10 PM – Candle Lighting
6:15 PM – Kol Nidre & Ma’ariv
Weitzenkorn Family Chapel
6:15 PM – Chavurah service
Thursday, October 2nd
Yom Kippur
Berger Hall & Livestream
8:30 AM – Psukei D’zimra
9:15 AM – Shacharit
10:15 AM – Torah Service
11:15 AM – Sermon
11:45 AM – Yizkor & Musaf
4:45 PM – Mincha
5:45 PM – Neilah
7:05 PM – Havdalah, Ma’ariv & Shofar blowing
Sanctuary
10:15 AM – Alternative Service (starts with Torah Service)
Founders Hall
9:45 AM – Family Service
Religious School Wing
Youth Programming for Grades K-7
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Weitzenkorn Family Chapel
10:15 AM – Chavurah service (starts with Torah Service)
5:45 PM – Neilah
5:45 PM – Neilah for Grades K-5 (location TBD)
*Please note that the schedule is subject to change
Babysitting
We will be offering babysitting for ages 0-5 years old on the following days and times:
Rosh Hashanah Day One: Tuesday, September 23rd
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rosh Hashanah Day Two: Wednesday, September 24th
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Kol Nidre: Wednesday, October 1st
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Yom Kippur Morning: Thursday, October 2nd
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Neilah: Thursday, October 2nd
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
Open for ages 0-5* years old.
Payment will be $18/child per service.
To attend babysitting, children MUST be preregistered through the High Holiday form. Children at Temple Israel are always welcome in Services with their parents.
*Kindergartners are encouraged to participate in Youth Programming. We understand this may not be suitable for all families, so we are extending our babysitting services to include children up to 5 years old.
Lulav & Etrog
A wonderful component of our High Holidays traditions is offering the option to purchase a Lulav and Etrog through Temple Israel. As in years past, we are happy to offer this opportunity again. In addition to buying your personal set(s), consider sponsoring an extra set for the use by the schools and our holiday services. Each set costs $55. Please click HERE to order your set.
All orders placed after 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 10th will incur a $10 late fee.