High Holiday Survival Guide

 At the Theater @ UNR's Student Union  

ROSH HASHANAH (The New Year) 

Evening services begin at 6:30pm and end around 8:30pm.   On Rosh Hashanah, we welcome AEPi fraternity Master and Nevada Hillel President, Elliot Malin to do the drash (sermon).  Our UNR students will  be lighting candles that evening.  We also wish Rebecca Pierce a mazel tov as the new Hillel campus director.   

RH morning services begin at 9:30am (NEW TIME) and end likely around 12:30pm, with a full Torah service and Musaf.  We will walk to the south end of campus for a brief tashlich service where we symbolically cast our sins into the water.   

Tashlich last year   

YOM KIPPUR (The Day of Atonement)       
Yom Kippur services begin with the Kol Nidre service on Friday night at 6:30pm.  In the morning, services begin at 9:30am and will likely end after 1pm.   

Yizkor, where we remember those who we still love, but are no longer with us physically, will be after the Torah service on Yom Kippur.  Please sign our Yizkor list on Rosh Hashana (or on the YK evening service, or call one of our Board Members), if you have someone who you are remembering and would like for us to say their name.   

In the afternoon, we typically have a study session.  The time will be announced at services, but likely will be around 5:30pm.   

Concluding services (Neilah) usually start around 6:30pm, the traditional shofar blast, and break-the-fast.  We have a dairy potluck, but it is being organized by Gwynn so we can be sure to have enough food.  Please contact Gwynn at 775-847-7762.  If you bring food from the store, please keep it in its original container (so we know the ingredients for people who may have allergies).  If you're making it yourself kol hakavod (all honor - - what a great thing).  No chicken nor meat.  Fish (yes please), vegetarian, dairy and eggs are ok.    

What do we do on Yom Kippur:  It is said that this is the holiest day of the year, when all people are judged for life, health and parnassah (wealth) for the coming year. We fast, pray and give tzedaka (charity). So, please do not bring in drinks or food to YK morning services. The prayer service is long during the day and if you have sacred Jewish literature that you would like to study, you might choose to bring such a book to read in addition to participating in the morning service.  If you need to take a break, do so.  There are couches and restrooms in the hallway outside if you want a short break.  Learn more HERE     

WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT DONATIONS?  Giving is an important Jewish value.  If you are coming for High Holyday services, a suggested donation would be $180.  Adjust up if you can afford it (or you would like to become a member) and adjust down if you can't.  Any donation, no matter how small, is appreciated.  No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.  There's always some way to "give back" to our community.  We appreciate your donations and appreciate your participation in "the journey of life with us" even more.

Parking:  The Whalen Garage is the best option.  If you park after 5:00pm, or on a Saturday, there is no charge.  So, the only cost will be for the day services on Rosh Hashana.  You can get a day pass online HERE or if you just want more information or a map, see www.unr.edu/parking      

Dress: Regarding the expected dress, many people wear white for all of the High Holydays (both RH and YK) symbolizing purity, some avoid leather shoes and wear kippot (hats in the basket at the door), even if you are not Jewish, as a sign of respect.  White is also a color unifying our chevre and also symbolizes chesed (lovingkindness).  Some people choose to wear tallit (prayer shawls) during the day, at Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre Service) and we request that you do so when coming up to the Torah.

Who Is Temple Beth Or?  We are a truly warm, welcoming egalitarian Jewish congregation devoted to Jewish learning and Jewish values. Our services are filled with music and ruach (passion). For these High Holiday services, we are partnering with Nevada Hillel  and AEPi fraternity (Jewish college students) and the Jewish Community of Elko County.

How can you support us?  There are many ways to be and "do" Jewish.  In order to work towards goals of "doing Jewish," we need your support.  If you are not ministering to your community, teaching classes on Judaism, providing comfort to the sick or bereaved, representing Judaism in interfaith groups, and much more, then please consider sending money to those doing the work.

It is traditional during the High Holidays to renew your membership and give tzedaka (charity) to your synagogue.  Often this is done in increments of $18 - for the numerical value of the Hebrew word Chai (life) = 18.   

Membership:  You can join as a family for $550/year or, as an individual for $360 .  

If you maintain full membership in another synagogue and are already paying dues there, consider our associate membership.   See website for details.   

Non-Members:  If you are not a member of TBOR and are attending services, please donate generously to Temple Beth Or during these High Holidays. You may put money in the white tzedaka (Charity) box on the table in the back of the room, take and envelope and send it later, or use Paypal.  Before evening services, our treasurer, Barbara Ries, will be accepting credit card donations.  So, come early!

Come and Learn!  Make a Jewish New Year's resolution to come learn with us. Let us know if you would like to be included on our monthly email or go to our Home Page were you can sign up. We invite you to join us! Spend the year learning more about how to "do" Jewish.   

Call if you have questions 775-322-5542

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Global Day of Jewish Learning 

Sunday, Nov. 17th Reno Jewish Community 

The theme is Creating Together
For more info: click HERE