Wondering: Please let me know about your High Holy Days plans
Although we have been told that Passover is the holy day that more Jews observe than any other (besides Shabbat?), I feel like most Jewish families do something for the High Holy Days as well. It is obvious that the Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services are better attended at B'nai Zion (and probably every synagogue) than any other regular service during the year.
Rosh HaShanah Evening service at B'nai Zion consistently has had the largest attendance of all of the holy day services. Since I have been Rabbi at B'nai Zion we have had anywhere from almost 300 people attending to the 50 people who attended in-person last year. In 2018 we had 240 people and in 2019 we had 190 people. The congregation has fewer members than it did 16 years ago. People died and moved away, and we did not replenish those losses. Obviously, the 50 people who came last year was because we were still in a pandemic. We had 218 people watch the stream last year. In 2020 we did not have services in person, but the evening service had 473 people who watched the stream. (If you are curious about how many people watch the High Holy Day services, go to the B'nai Zion YouTube page, click on the service, and you should see the number of views below the video - or ask me.)
We currently are planning to have all of our services for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur in the sanctuary. If we had the numbers we used to have, we would not all fit in the sanctuary. The Lefkowitz Hall is much larger and holds more people. However, we believe that the number of people attending this year for each service should fit comfortably in the sanctuary, which is a more comfortable and inspiring holy space.
It would be VERY helpful if you let us know if you are planning to attend services in-person. This way we can better prepare for seating, books, security - and after Yom Kippur - we could know how much food to prepare for break-fast.
I am also interested to know about your alternate plans for the holy days. It is lovely to know how many people will be away visiting with families.
This week I am wondering:What will you be doing for the High Holy Days? Will you will be attending services at B'nai Zion for the High Holy Days. PLEASE USE THIS FORM to indicate which services you will be attending or what your alternate plans are. (As always, it helps if you are logged in before filling out a form).
This is not the Rabbi checking to see how holy you are. I just really care about you. Let me know if there is anything I can to do help with your holy day observances. Remember that you can find the schedule under HOLIDAYS on the B'nai Zion site, or CLICK HERE.
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