Yom Kippur Afternoon Worship and Break-the-Fast to be Held at Our Synagogue Home

by President Emily Jennewein

In honor of our 150th anniversary, the Board is very pleased to announce that Yom Kippur afternoon services and a light Break-the-Fast will be held at our synagogue home at Beth Israel this year.

We have frequently heard requests from members who would love the opportunity to worship in our own magnificent synagogue during the High Holy Days. Because of the very special nature of this anniversary year, we will move our worship on Yom Kippur afternoon to our own synagogue starting at 1:45 p.m. with Ask the Rabbi, then continue with the Afternoon Service, Yizkor and Neilah. At the conclusion of the day of Yom Kippur worship, we will offer light Break-the-Fast refreshments.

To accommodate all who will worship with us on Yom Kippur afternoon, we plan to expand our Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary by opening the wall to the adjacent David & Dorothea Garfield Social Hall. Light Break-the-Fast refreshments will be served in the Price Family Courtyard. Beth Israel’s regular High Holy Days tickets will include admission to Yom Kippur afternoon services at our temple. Because Yom Kippur falls on a Saturday this year rather than on a business day, we are very fortunate that congregants will be able to park freely in the Gateway Parking Structure.

Rabbi Michael Berk, Executive Director Lesley Mills and members of the synagogue Board of Directors are very sensitive to the fact that for some congregants the mid-day move will interrupt what is traditionally a full day of worship in one location. We understand that what will be a delight to many, will seem a disruption to others. Please know that the decision to bring Yom Kippur afternoon services back to our temple was made after very careful consideration and weighing of this special opportunity to worship in our own synagogue as well as the disadvantages.

In an effort to ease the transition during the worship day, we will provide three legs of shuttle transportation by reservation only: from Beth Israel to the Civic Theatre for members who would like to park near our temple in the morning; from the Civic Theatre to Beth Israel at the conclusion of the morning service; and from Beth Israel back to the Civic Theatre after the Break-the-Fast, for those who parked at the Civic Theatre in the morning.

On behalf of the Board, we hope you will all join us for the unique experience of worshiping on our own campus as we conclude our High Holy Days worship in this milestone 150th anniversary year.