Bring in the new Jewish year with the Beth El community: Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday evening October 2, and Yom Kippur on Friday evening, October 11. 

Through the ups and downs of the last year, we were regularly reminded of the value of being in community together. We need one another. And as we turn with intention and determination towards the New Year 5785, we know what a gift it is to experience this joyful and meaningful time in community. This year we will gather once again in mixed presence - both in person indoors and outdoors on our beautiful Beth El campus and on Zoom for those who wish - to share our lives and to celebrate and mark this sacred season.

The Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe), from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, bracket ten days during which we are invited to reflect on our experiences and our choices from the last year. Our questions have continued resonance and urgency this year against the backdrop of the time in history through which we are living: How do we best avail ourselves of the precious time we are given? Are we realizing our most authentic selves? What is our accountability and responsibility to self, others and all of creation? We are called during this season to cheshbon ha-nefesh—a searching examination of our lives—that we may discover within ourselves renewed strength and commitment for the tasks before us: tikkun middot, healing ourselves, and tikkun olam, repairing our world.

The High Holy Day season begins with Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul on Monday evening September 2—the evening of the first day of the Hebrew calendar month of Elul which leads to Rosh Hashanah—and continues through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur before concluding with exuberant joy during the week of Sukkot (10/16-10/23) and Simchat Torah (10/24). This year we will again come together during the month of Elul with a series of programs and activities to support one another in our personal and spiritual work of cheshbon ha-nefesh.

To aid in our preparations for this joyful and meaningful season, please register here for services and programming.

We look forward to sharing this season of reflection, celebration, exploration, remembrance, and renewal with you.

L’shanah tovah! May you and your loved ones be inscribed for a good New Year.

Further resources for personal exploration and preparation for the High Holy Day season can be found on the High Holy Days pages of ReformJudaism.org, MyJewishLearning.com and Judaismunbound.com.