HIGH HOLIDAYS 2023
with the Narberth Havurah
High Holiday services with the Narberth Havurah are filled with prayer, introspection, the joyous music of our own Havurah band, discussion, and interaction designed to fill this holy time of year with personal and communal meaning.
We will meet again this year at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. We offer separate children and adult services, and care for children during some adult services. Services will also be broadcast via Zoom for those not attending in person.
The Narberth Havurah is a membership-based community dependent on donations to carry out programs, spiritual gatherings, and Hebrew School. Everyone is invited to attend our High Holidays events; non-members are requested to make a tax-deductible donation. We suggest a donation ranging from $36 to $360 depending on how many services you attend, the number of guests who come with you, and your financial means. We are so grateful for your contribution!
dates & Times
Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 15th
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service: 6:45-8 pm
Saturday, September 16th
Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service: 9:30-10:15 am
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10:30am-12:30pm (childcare available – see below)
Shofar Service and Tashlich in person at Shortridge Park: 3:30-4:30 pm
Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 24th
Kol Nidre Service: 6:45-8:15 pm
Monday, September 25th
Yom Kippur Children’s Service: 9:30-10:15 am
Yom Kippur Morning Service: 10:30 am-12:30 pm (childcare available – see below)
Yizkor: 4:30 pm / Neilah Service: 5pm
Break-the-Fast: 6:15pm Sign up here
high holiday theme
On erev Rosh HaShanah and Kol Nidre we’ll hear from members, and on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur mornings from Rabbi Simcha, about this year’s theme of Cultivating Chesed v’Rachamim: Lovingkindess and Compassion. In these times of so much change and uncertainty, the mental health and overall well-being of individuals in our families, communities, workplaces, and our nation has radically diminished. More and more, research shows what we have known all along: that the capacity to reach out to one another with care, kindness and compassion consistently makes a significant difference in people’s lives: both the givers and those who receive. These qualities are at the core of who we are, and paradoxically, it takes conscious intention to cultivate them and activate them. When we speak of teshuva, traditionally the main focus of the High Holiday season, we are talking about a return to the essence of goodness within us. This year we’ll focus on cultivating chesed and rachamim as a way of doing teshuva throughout the holidays and beyond.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING
Children age 10 and under can join in the songs, stories, and prayers of Rosh HaShanah kid-style! Our children’s service is led by Havurah volunteer parents who create a service that their children, and yours, will enjoy being part of! For children’s services, please enter on the Woodbine Ave. side of the church, up the stairs over the pre-school entrance.
Childcare will be offered after the children’s service on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur mornings, so parents and caregivers can attend services. Please email Amy Goldman to sign up in advance! Please include the names and ages of your children.
LOCATION & PARKING
All services (with the exception of Tashlich) will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church located at 196 Woodbine Avenue in Narberth.
Please enter the sanctuary from the corner of Woodbine and N. Narberth Avenue (near the giving garden).
HLTC doesn't have its own parking lot. You can park at St. Margaret's on Rosh Hashanah (evening and day) and Kol Nidre, but not on Yom Kippur (day). The St. Margaret's parking lot is just a block away on Narberth Avenue. Alternatively, please arrive early to find street parking. Another good option is the Narberth Public Parking lot, which is only three blocks away on Haverford.
Taschlich: We will meet at Shortridge Park at the bridge in the middle of the park. Street parking is available on Shortridge Drive. There is a path to the bridge. We encourage members to walk or bike to services when possible.
ACCESSIBILITY
There are steps to enter the church. If anyone would like some support we have accessibility ushers who can help, and there is a stair lift. Please email Liz Gordon to arrange for support. The path to the bridge at Shortridge Park is paved and a gentle slope. If you require closed captioning for Zooms, please click the CC button to enable it.
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE
For those who prefer to watch from home, we will be broadcasting via Zoom. Register for the Zoom sessions here.
If you are attending via Zoom and would like to pick up a Machzor (prayer book) so that you can follow along and participate in the service, please email Liz Gordon for details on where/when to pick them up.
COVID GUIDELINES
With our High Holiday theme of Cultivating Chesed v'Rachamim: Lovingkindess and compassion, we express our care for ourselves and each other by going above and beyond the norm to ensure each other's safety.
Please reconsider testing before attending!
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days or currently show any symptoms, please attend the live stream (see Virtual Attendance above). By attending services, you confirm that you:
do not have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including, but not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath regardless of the rapid COVID-19 test; AND
have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days
Masking is optional. However, masking is needed if you: tested positive for COVID-19 less than 10 days ago; OR were in direct or close contact (i.e. household) with someone positive for COVID-19.
