High Holy Days 2022/5783

L’Shanah Tovah,

Our Fall holy days and festivals are quickly approaching, even though they feel later this year because of our Gregorian calendar. I assure you, according to the Hebrew calendar, the holidays are right on time!

We are excited to share details for High Holy Days (HHD) with you in this guide so that you can participate in person and/or online as you feel comfortable. You can find our Livestream on our website and Facebook page. Please be mindful of the links you see in this guide. Online streaming is open to anyone who would like to participate regardless of TBE membership status.

As the summer began, you may recall that we sent a survey to the congregation to understand how many members anticipated joining us in person. Because of your feedback, we felt comfortable with only one service in the evening and morning instead of two back-to-back services as we did last year. We will notify the congregation if we think in-person services are growing too large.

We have good airflow in the sanctuary since modifications happened last year, with fresh air constantly entering the building. However, all in-person participants are required to wear masks throughout the service, including our choir participants. Those having honors and leading the service will not be wearing masks while speaking or singing to help ensure everyone in attendance and on the Livestream can hear.

Finally, beyond the details of the schedule and COVID protocols, we are entering a time of deep reflection and forgiveness in the Jewish tradition. Take these next few weeks seriously as an opportunity to do cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of your soul. Consider the things you’ve done over the last year and the ways you’ve interacted with family, friends, and colleagues. Is there someone with whom you need to speak? An apology you need to give or an expression of how someone made you feel? It is always the right time to do this vital work, but now more than ever.

Rabbi Josh Whinston

All attendees must wear a well-fitting disposable surgical mask or respirator (N95, KN95, or KF94) in public areas while inside the Temple building.

Attendance at all in-person activities sponsored by TBE shall be restricted to:

1. Persons who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations; or

2. Persons who have documentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the in-person activity; or

3. Persons who are ineligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine based on age.

All attendees must wear a well-fitting disposable surgical mask or respirator (N95, KN95, or KF94) in public areas while inside the Temple building.

See the Temple Beth Emeth COVID-19 Policy HERE.

The Pre-Reader Service and Family Service are both at 9 a.m., in person at Temple Beth Emeth.

Bring the whole family!

For both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:

Pre-Reader Service: 9 a.m. in the TBE Core

Join Susan Horowitz, TBE P3 Teacher and Early Childhood Center Assistant Director, for a service intended for ages 5 and below and their parents.

Registration for in-person seating is now closed.

Family Service: 9 a.m. in the TBE Sanctuary

Join Rabbi Whinston and Cantor Hayut for a service intended for families with children in elementary school. Registration for in-person seating is now closed.

*Masks are required for all services.

At TBE, including the names of our deceased loved ones in our Yizkor Memorial Book is a meaningful tribute to them and a tangible reflection of their impact on our lives.

Please fill out this form to make changes and additions:

https://www.templebethemeth.org/form/2022/5783-TBE-Yizkor-Book

View the 2021 Yizkor Memorial Book.

Submissions are due by Monday, October 3.

To make a donation to Temple Beth Emeth in memory of your loved ones, please click here.

If you have any questions, please contact the TBE office 734-665-4744 or tbe@templebethemeth.org

May the memory of our loved ones always be for blessing.

Jewish mourning is both private and public. When we visit a grave or observe a yahrzeit (anniversary of a person’s death) we generally do so in private. Yizkor is the public observance for the community of the bereaved.

Yizkor means “may (God) remember,” from the Hebrew root zachor. Originally, Yizkor was commemorated only on Yom Kippur. Its primary purpose was to honor the deceased by giving tzedakah (charity) in their memory, on the theory that the good deeds of the survivors elevate the souls of the departed. It also enhanced the chances for personal atonement by doing a deed of lovingkindness. Since the Torah reading on the last day of the pilgrimage festivals (Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot) mentions the importance of donations, Yizkor was added to these holiday services as well.

The WTBE New Years Card form is closed. Thank you for your support!

As the lead agency for hunger relief in Washtenaw County, Food Gatherers supports a large network of community partners to help fight hunger where we live and advocates for local, state, and federal policies and programs that address food insecurity and its causes. The Back Door Food Pantry, just steps away from our sanctuary, is an important part of this network.

This year, more than ever, Food Gatherers needs our financial support to provide hunger relief in our community. Inflation rates not seen in over 40 years are pushing up prices for basic needs such as housing, gas, and especially food. At the same time, the strong outpouring of support from government, corporations, and individuals seen during the height of the pandemic has weakened. Put simply, more people are facing food insecurity, it costs more to provide food, and the level of financial support is dwindling. We need to act now!

Please help us reach our goal of raising $36,000 during the High Holy Days. This will provide over 100,000 meals to our neighbors who are struggling right now.

To donate now, please click here.

If you prefer, you can mail a check or call 734-761-2796 (press option 2).

Checks should be made out to Food Gatherers. Please write "Temple Beth Emeth" in the memo line and mail to: Food Gatherers, P.O. Box 131037, Ann Arbor, MI 48113.

Thank you for your support! Every donation is significant.

Neighborhood/Street Parking: PLEASE do not block driveways or mailboxes. Cars will be towed or ticketed. There is NO parking on Packard St.

Neighborhood parking within 10 minutes of TBE is available on the following streets: South Blvd., Coler Rd., Jorn Ct., Harpst St., Page Ave., Rosewood St., Jewett Ave., Kensington Dr., Marlborough Dr., Pine Valley Blvd., Esch Ave., Independence Blvd., James St., Victoria Ave., Ember Way, Camelot Rd., Ridge Ave., Crestland Dr., Anderson Ave., Ferdon Rd., Devolson Ave., Carhart Ave., Hall Ave., South Blvd., and Steer Pl. DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS OR MAILBOXES.

Onsite Parking at TBE:
Due to limited space, lots in the rear, side, and at Eastover are for special needs ONLY.
Space must be reserved in advance. When registering, once you make your selections of services, you will be given an option to indicate any special accommodations.