Dear Friends,
As we enter into Har Shalom’s 60th Anniversary year, I am excited to share our plans for the 5785 High Holy Days! For more detailed information, please scroll down.
A few things to note for this year:
- We will continue to offer two main services – the Burke Sanctuary Service will begin at 9am and the Cahan Sanctuary Service will begin at 8:30am with full repetitions.
- In addition to Rabbi Raskin’s annual Yom Kippur Text Study, he will lead a Discussion on “How Does Prayer Work?” on Rosh Hashana Day 2.
- NEW: Rabbi Simmons with other lay leaders will lead a more in depth Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall. For those parents who wish to be in the main service, there will be parallel youth programming. Note – you must sign up in advance for these options.
- We will have two Kol Nidre services and continue to offer a Yom Tov Chaverim for our K-7 children.
- The service in the Burke Sanctuary will always be available on live-stream.
The High Holy Day Ticket Request will be done exclusively online – please make sure you are logged into your ShulCloud account before you begin filling out the form. The deadline to order tickets or register for virtual options is August 25.
Below are important notes pertaining to the High Holy Day experience for 5785.
For the safety and security of our community, every person entering the building must have a ticket and wear it at all times on a purple lanyard handed out at entry. Tickets and detailed information will be available for pick up at Har Shalom at the Back to Shul Picnic on September 15, or at the office on Sept. 16 or 17 from 9am-5pm. After that the tickets will be mailed.
Please review the information carefully and fill out your Ticket Request Form as soon as possible (Deadline: August 25). Service locations will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
If you have never logged into your account at harshalom.org or need password assistance, please reach out to Daniel in the main office at 301-299-7087 or Dmontalvo@harshalom.org.
Thank you for your dedication to Har Shalom and your continued support as we enter into the High Holy Day Season together.
My family (Danny, Shai, Maya, and myself), would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year.
L’shanah tovah tikatevu v’techatemu (May you be inscribed and sealed for a good New Year)!
Carly Litwok
Executive Director
Accessibility & Inclusion
At Har Shalom, we want all congregants, potential congregants, and others in the community to know that we are, and always aspire to be, an inclusive community and one that is accessible to those with disabilities. The Accessibility and Inclusion Committee is always on the lookout for ways to make Har Shalom even more accessible, and the Committee welcomes input from congregants. Help yourself to the resources available outside the Burke and Cahan Sanctuaries. Please feel free to contact us with suggestions and feedback.
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, October 2
6:30PM | Ma'ariv: Burke Sanctuary**
6:31PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 1st Day: Thursday, October 3
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:30AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:15AM - 12:00PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
10:30AM - 12:00PM | Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7; Grade 3 and younger with guardian)
11:00AM - 12:00PM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
4:00PM | Tashlich & Mincha (Meet at Gregerscroft Park) - Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlich!
7:29PM | Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah, 2nd Day: Friday, October 4
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:15AM - 10:30AM | "How Does Prayer Work?" Learning and discussion with Rabbi Raskin in the Cahan Sanctuary
9:30AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Yom Tov Chaverim in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7; Grade 3 and younger with guardian)
10:45AM - 12:00PM | | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
6:28PM | Candle lighting
Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre: Friday, October 11
6:17PM | Candle Lighting
6:30PM | Kol Nidre: Cahan Sanctuary
6:30PM | Kol Nidre: Burke Sanctuary**
7:00PM - 7:45PM | Kol Nidre Chaverim (students pre-K - Grade 3)
Yom Kippur Day: Saturday, October 12
8:30AM | Cahan Sanctuary Service
9:00AM | Burke Sanctuary Service**
9:30AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:15AM - 12:00PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
10:30AM - 12:00PM | Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7; Grade 3 and younger with guardian)
11:00AM - 12:00PM | Teen Program in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12)
3:00PM | Rabbi Simmons' Gentle Yoga/Meditation in the Paul Family Social Hall
4:00PM | Rabbi Raskin's Study Session in the Burke Sanctuary - In person ONLY
5:00PM | Mincha: Burke Sanctuary**
6:00PM | Neilah: Burke Sanctuary** (Kids are invited to bring their own shofar and join us for glow stick Havdalah!)
7:10PM | Final Shofar
**NOTE: All Services in the Burke Sanctuary will be available for viewing via LiveStream.
Any students Grade 3 or younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 & Yom Kippur
9:30AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:15AM - 12:00PM | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
10:30AM - 12:00PM | Family Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7; Grade 3 and younger with guardian)
11:00AM - 12:00PM | Teen Program with snacks in the Hospitality Suite (students Grades 8-12
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
9:30AM - 10:15AM | Gan Yom Tov Young Families Service in the Paul Family Social Hall (families with children 5 & under)
10:00AM - 10:45AM | Yom Tov Chaverim in the Paul Family Social Hall (students Grades K-7; Grade 3 and younger with guardian)
10:45AM - 12:00PM | | Youth Program in Classrooms (students Grades K-7, *registration required*)
Kol Nidre
7:00PM | Kol Nidre Chaverim for students pre-K - Grade 3
TRADITIONAL SERVICE | Burke Sanctuary and Cahan Sanctuary
Burke Sanctuary Service: Will reflect all the major components of the High Holy Day service. It will be a more concise worship experience, similar to past years. This service will be led by Rabbi Adam Raskin, Rabbi Rachel Simmons and Cantor Max Silverstone with sermons from Rabbi Raskin (Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur) and Rabbi Simmons (Rosh Hashanah Day 2). The service will also be available via LiveStream.
Cahan Sanctuary Service: Will feature more traditional High Holy Day prayers, repititions, and readings, with some modifications. This service will be led by Rabbi Irv Elson and Rabbi Josh Cahan with sermon from Rabbi Elson (Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Yom Kippur) and from Rabbi Simmons (Kol Nidre).
GAN YOM TOV | Paul Family Social Hall
Join us for a fun and engaging service at Gan Yom Tov. We’ll sing, dance, enjoy story time and make the holidays meaningful for young children. This service is geared toward families with children 5 years and younger (siblings welcome).
FAMILY SERVICE | Paul Family Social Hall
Join us for a more traditional interactive family service led by Rabbi Rachel Simmons filled with prayers, a deeper dive into the holiday, and songs. This service is for families with their students in Grades K-7. Please note that on Yom Kippur, we will recite El Malei, the Memorial Prayer, in memory of our loved ones who have passed.
YOM TOV CHAVERIM & KOL NIDRE CHAVERIM | Paul Family Social Hall
Similar to Shabbat Chaverim, join us for an interactive program filled with High Holy Day songs, stories, and activities. This program is for students in Grades K-7 (NOTE: Any students Grades 3 and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS | Classrooms & Hospitality Suite
Youth Programs: offer developmentally appropriate, engaging opportunities for our children to celebrate the High Holy Days with their friends.
Teen Programs: interactive, thought-provoking program with snacks.
TASHLICH & MINCHA SERVICE | Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlich. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:00PM at Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park (12021 Gregerscroft Rd.). Bring a small supply of bread to cast into the water (symbolizing casting off one's sins) and a Machzor for Minncha. Families are invited to stay and play at the park after Tashlich!
NEILAH SERVICE | Burke Sanctuary
Join us for an opportunity to recite personal prayers in front of the open Ark. Kids are invited to bring their own shofar. Enjoy glow stick Havdalah!
MACHZOR REQUESTS
A very limited number of Maachzorim are available to borrow at Har Shalom. You can purchase a copy of Machzor Lev Shalem (published by the Rabbinical Assembly) from Har Shalom in your Ticket Order Form (Regular Edition: $54 | Large Print Edition: $84).
TASHLICH
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we perform the ceremony of Tashlich. This custom is derived from Micah 7:19, "You shall cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." We will meet at 4:00PM at Gregerscroft Neighborhood Park (12021 Gregerscroft Rd.). Bring a small supply of bread to cast into the water (symbolizing casting off one's sins) and a Machzor for Mincha.
KOL NIDRE FOOD COLLECTION - OPERATION ISAIAH
Each Kol Nidre, Har Shalom congregants heed the words of Isaiah to "share your bread with the hungry" (Yom Kippur Haftarah). We ask everyone to bring nonperishable food on Kol Nidre to be distributed by the Manna Food Bank to those in need in our community.
SELICHOT
Join us Saturday, September 28 beginning at 7:45PM to socialize followed by Havdalah and kumzitz with songs, niggunim, and kavvanot around the fire pit on the Friedson Family Patio. More information coming soon!
This year, you can purchase your Lulav & Etrog through the Ticket Order Form. We are offering Standard ($60), Deluxe ($70), and Premium ($85) options.
YIZKOR BOOK, 5784 (2023-2024)
The Yizkor Book (Book of Remembrance) is available at the Yom Kippur Yizkor Service as well as Yizkor Services throughout the year. To be included in this year's book, entries must be received by Friday, August 23. Please complete your entry with your Ticket Order Form. Last year's Book of Remembrance can be viewed at www.HarShalom.org/BOR.
ANNUAL CEMETERY SERVICES
The annual public Memorial Service in memory of all departed will be conducted by clergy at both locations:
- Judean Memorial Gardens (16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney) on Sunday, October 6 at 10:30AM. For more information, contact Judean Memorial Gardens (301-384-1000).
- Garden of Remembrance (14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg) on Sunday, September 29 at 10:00AM and 2:00PM. For directions and other information, visit www.gardenofremembrance.org or call 301-428-3000.
This is a long-standing, uplifting custom of including the memories of our loved ones as a part of our personal reflections for the High Holy Day season.
PARKING
Regular HHD Parking: HHD Parking for the general public is off-site with regular shuttle bus service to and from Har Shalom starting at 7:45AM. Parking locations, instructions and shuttle bus schedules will be mailed with your tickets.
Accessible Parking: Parking spaces at Har Shalom are primarily for Congregants with accessibility issues. Parking passes issued by Har Shalom are required to park in the Har Shalom lot. Congregants may apply for a parking pass in the Ticket Order Form.
Purchased Reserved Parking: A limited number of reserved parking spaces in the Har Shalom parking lot are available for purchase for use throughout the HHDs for $500 on a first come first served basis. Proceeds support programming and operations expenses. Please use the Ticket Order Form to purchase parking.
Thank you to our Share Your Blessings 5784 Donors at the $1,800+ level - your parking pass will be included with your High Holy Day 5784 Tickets.
Alternatively, you may also purchase a raffle ticket in the Ticket Order Form to win a parking space.
Throughout the High Holy Days, we will be streaming the Traditional Service from the Burke Sanctuary which can be accessed at www.HarShalom.org/LiveStream.