Your Temple Beth-El clergy and staff are working to create a meaningful High Holy Day experience for this year. We look forward to celebrating the new year with you. The list of services is available here.
Tickets will be mailed to congregants for all adults and dependent children in the household in early September. Please register your guests, for either in-person or Zoom, using this link. Temple Beth-El offers reciprocity for members of other congregations.
If you are a visitor to Temple Beth-El, welcome! Please use this link to reserve your tickets for the holy days.
All members will automatically receive links to participate in services over Zoom and dial-up. You can borrow a machzor (prayer book) if you will be participating remotely.
To help get you in the High Holy Day mood, here is a video of Cantor Wallach and Grace Amodeo singing a duet of Y’hiyu l’Ratzon, text from the end of the amidah. And here is a clip of Kathy Shanklin playing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur melodies.
Register Guests or Visitors Here Remember Loved Ones Here
What’s new this year?
With a new clergy team, there are bound to be many elements that are different this year, and many more that are familiar. Here are a few new items:
I am a member. Do I need to register?
No. Congregants will automatically receive tickets for all adult members, children under the age of 26, and adult dependent children. Tickets will be mailed to congregants early September.
I am a member. Will I be able to arrange tickets for my guests?
Yes. You will be able to arrange for tickets for your guests to participate either in-person or online. Use this guest registration link. We request a donation of $100 per guest ticket to help defray the costs of the holy days. If arranged early enough, we will mail your guest tickets in the same package as your tickets. Otherwise, you or your guests can pick up the tickets anytime the office is open.
I am a member. Do I need to register to join online services?
No. All members will receive via email the links to the broadcast platform (Zoom). Guests must be registered in order to receive the links. Use this form to register your guests.
I am a member. I’m going to my family’s congregation for the holy days. How do I request reciprocal tickets from them?
It’s nice that you’ll be with family. Contact the TBE office (908-722-0674) with the name/city of the congregation where you will be attending. We will then contact your family’s synagogue to attest to your membership at TBE. If your family members are coming to you, ask that their home congregation contact us.
I am not a member. May I attend?
We will happily welcome you to participate in person or online. Use this form to register as a Visitor. We ask for a donation for in-person participation. Visitor tickets will be available for pickup.
I am having trouble with the forms. What should I do?
Please contact the temple office (908-722-0674 or via email at info@templebethelnj.org) and we will be happy to assist.
Where can I find the links to participate in the online services?
Links will be sent to all members and registered guests via email in mid-September. Click here for a full schedule of services.
I’m in a wheelchair/use a walker. Can seats be held for me?
Yes, we can hold seats for those with mobility issues. Please contact Melissa Pyle in the temple office (melissapyle@templebethelnj.org or 908-722-0674, ext. 312).
I want to list my loved ones in the memorial listing. How does that work?
We invite you to remember your loved ones by listing their names in the memorial listing. The memorial listing will be printed in the program and shown to our Zoom viewers before and between services on the holy days and during the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur afternoon. Use this form to let us know the names of your loved ones to include in the memorial listing. We ask you to consider a donation of $18 per name, but welcome you to set your own donation level. Last year’s Memorial Listing can be found here so you can see what it looks like or to refresh your memory on who you listed last year.
I’m a new grandparent. Are we doing the baby blessing this year?
Yes! Among the many joyous rituals of the Holy Days is our temple’s custom on the first day of Rosh Hashanah to bless babies who have come into our temple family in the past year. If you are the parent (or grandparent) of a new arrival and would like to include your family’s little one in the baby blessing on Rosh Hashanah morning, please contact Melissa Pyle in the temple office (908-722-0674, ext 312 or via email at melissapyle@templebethnj.org). Let Melissa know if your little one will be joining the service or not.
Will there be a High Holy Day appeal?
Yes. As has been our custom, customized pledge cards will be available for pickup in the temple lobby on Rosh Hashanah morning. If you prefer not to pick-up or return your pledge card on the holy day, we will mail it to you in the intervening days.
Are we doing a food drive?
Yes! Our annual High Holy Day Food Drive benefits The Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Bring your donation anytime from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur.
Are we doing Reverse Tashlich again this year?
Yes! Reverse Tashlich is a global effort to clean-up trash and debris from our oceans and water-ways, and to practice tikkun hayam – repair of the sea. Visit this page to learn more about TBE’s Reverse Tashlich effort and to sign up.
What’s the difference between the Reflection Service and the Meditation and Contemplation session on Yom Kippur?
While each of these services offer worshipers a chance to decompress after the morning service, they do differ considerably. The Reflection service uses readings and questions to prompt participants to offer their personal stories or observations. It is more discussion-oriented. The Meditation and Contemplation session uses popular meditation and mindfulness techniques such as breath awareness, stillness, light movement, or guided meditation to help participants feel centered and open to the meaning of the holy day. While there is some discussion and communal support, the Meditation program tends to be quieter and internally-focused.
I plan to participate online. Can I get a copy of the slides?
We have returned to using our prayer books and will not use slides this year. Please contact the temple office to arrange to borrow a machzor (prayer book) (908-722-0674 or info@templebethelnj.org).
Are there any COVID-related policies for onsite attendance?
No. Currently, masking and social distancing are considered matters of personal choice. Masking is optional throughout our sanctuary, social halls, and ancillary spaces. You are welcome to wear a mask and select a seating area that is sparsely populated if you wish. If you feel unwell, we ask that you stay home and use the Zoom option to participate.
