Selichot

At Temple Har Zion, High Holy Day Services begin with the observance of Selichot, which is usually the Saturday evening preceding Rosh Hashanah and the onset of the new moon at the beginning of the month of Tishri.

Selichot is a beautiful way to begin the process of self-reflection, which we are to start in the month of Elul.  After a communal barbeque and program or speaker, we begin the Selichot service at 11:00 p.m. with Havdalah. That is followed by our worship service, which features the Adult Choir.  This service concludes as we change our Torah covers over to the white ones they wear throughout the Holy Days.  Anyone in the community is invited to join us for this moving experience.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Our High Holy Day services are participatory, warm, meaningful and enhanced through music. Our dedicated volunteer Adult Choir sings at all services except for ones specific to children.

At most services we use the machzor “Gates of Repentance”. For Children’s Services we use the machzor “Gates of Repentance for Young People”. You are required to bring your own copies of prayer books to services, which may be purchased through the Temple office prior to the onset of the High Holy Days. 

Tickets are required to attend Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at Temple Har Zion.  Members are entitled to tickets as a benefit of their membership.  A limited number of non-member tickets are available for purchase. If you are a member of an out-of-town URJ affiliated synagogue and would like to join us for High Holy Days, please contact the Temple office.

Rosh Hashanah

We hold one Erev/Evening service; two morning services on the first day; a dedicated Children’s Service; and one service on 2^nd day Rosh Hashanah for all ages.

On the 2^nd day of Rosh Hashanah, immediately following services, we observe Tashlich as a community with a short outside service and a symbolic “casting away” of our sins.

Yom Kippur

We offer the following: two Kol Nidre evening services; two morning services; an alternative Meditative morning service; a dedicated Children’s Service; a study session and a new creative Afternoon Service entitled “Achieving T’shuvah: Reconciling with God, Others and Ourselves” followed by Yizkor and N’ilah/Concluding Services. If you can blow the Shofar, bring one and participate in the final “Tekiyah Gedolah”.  We then dim the lights and sing Havdalah together and break the fast with a huge Challah as a community.  You are encouraged to stay until the very end, which will be close to sunset. 

Non-members should contact the Temple office in the summer for the upcoming High Holy Days information and further details including babysitting and parking.