On Saturday night, August 31st, 2013 at 8:30 pm we will begin the process of deep self-reflection as Temple Beth El and Temple Israel come together to observe Selichot, an evening that represents the beginning of our formal journey into the High Holidays.   The evening will begin with an engaging discussion entitled "This is our Season of Change"  through which we will explore our personal Jewish goals for 5774. At 9:30, pm we will have dessert reception moving into our 10:00 pm Selichot services lifted by the inspirational music of the combined Temple Israel and Temple Beth El choirs led by our gifted Cantors Bernard and Roochvarg. 

As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we look forward to a time of great unity as a Jewish people coming together to celebrate and worship over the next few weeks. 

However, one of the challenges of being Jewish in a non-Jewish community occurs with our Jewish families in the public school system. This year despite our active participation on the calendar committees, school will be in session on Rosh Hashanah. We recognize the hardship this poses for many of our families with school-aged children and provide the information below as a means of assistance in communicating with your schools:

• You have received HANGING PLACARDS  which must be hanging from your rear view mirror in order to enter Shalom Park.  Traffic personnel will not let you into the Park unless these are displayed. 
• Traffic personnel will direct you to the designated Temple Beth El parking area.
• Erev Rosh Hashanah - Shuttle buses will NOT run Wednesday evening.  Because of the times of our service (7:45 pm) and Temple Israel's (6:15 pm), there is ample parking at Shalom Park for both congregations.  
• Rosh Hashanah morning - Shuttle buses will begin running one hour prior to the first service - at 7:30 am -  from Providence Square Apartment's Retail Center. 

In the case of inclement weather:

* There will be two (2) 20 X 20 tents put up at both Providence Square and the drop off at the Portico entrance.

* The bus drivers will drive into our entrance from Providence Road with the (smaller JCC buses) to drop you closer to Temple.

*The buses will be labeled so you will know which bus is going to Temple Beth El

• High Holy Day information is  available Here. 
• This year we will have only one Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre service for the entire congregation at 7:45 pm.
• Families with children 3rd grade and younger are asked to attend the early services while families with children 4th grade and older may attend either service. Members with no children may attend the service of their choice.
• All Kindergarteners through 3rd graders will attend Junior Congregation, a program and service designed especially for these ages, during the early service only.
• Babysitting will be offered at all services for children under 5 years of age. You must register for babysitting.  Drop-ins are not allowed.
• Each ticket will be good for all services. TICKETS MUST BE CARRIED BY THE TICKET HOLDER AT ALL TIMES AND WILL BE CHECKED AT ALL SERVICES (except Yizkor).

A minimum of 35% of your membership amount must be paid prior to Sept. 1, 2012 in order to receive your High Holy Day tickets.