BZBI, where you worship

High Holy Days 2023/5784

    BZBI welcomes the entire spectrum of Center City’s Jewish Community: people of all ages, races, ethnicities and abilities; interfaith families; people who are single or partnered; individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We are committed to disability justice and universal accessibility, and will do our best to provide accommodation.

    Section I.

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    PREPARATION FOR THE HOLY DAYS – IMPORTANT DEADLINES

    See below for full details on all of these items and more.

    Floral Sponsorship Forms are due Friday, July 14 by 3:00 PM. 

    Child Care and Youth & Family Reservations are due Friday, August 18 at Noon. 

    Member Ticket Request Forms are due Friday, August 18 by 3:00 PM. 

    Immediate Family Member Guest Ticket Request Forms are due Friday, August 18 by 3:00 PM. 

    Lulav and Etrog orders are due Wednesday, September 6 by 5:00 PM.

    Section II. 

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    All services will be held at BZBI except as noted on the schedule. Zoom will also be available for all services in the Goldberg Sanctuary.  BZBI members in good standing will receive the zoom link via email prior to the High Holy Days.

    Rabbi Abe Friedman and Rabbi Abi Weber will lead our High Holy Day services, with Gedalia Penner Robinson as ba’al tefillah (prayer leader).

    High Holy Days Schedule 2023 / 5784

    COMMUNITY SELICHOT AND SOUL SPA 

    Saturday, September 9

    8:30 PM Community Selichot at Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce Street

    ROSH HASHANAH  

    Erev Rosh Hashanah: Friday, September 15

    6:30 PM Rosh Hashanah Maariv in Fitler Square

    First Day of Rosh Hashanah: Saturday, September 16

    8:30 AM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    9:00 AM Service in Kahaner Auditorium 

    9:00 AM Service for Families with Young Children in Lower Wolfson 

    9:00 AM Child Care Begins 

    10:00 AM Youth Programming Begins 

    11:00 AM Teen Programming Begins 

    Second Day of Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 17 

    9:00 AM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    9:00 AM Child Care Begins 

    10:00 AM Youth Programming Begins

    11:00 AM Teen Programming Begins 

    5:00 PM Community Tashlich at the Schuylkill River at Locust Street 

    YOM KIPPUR 

    Kol Nidre: Sunday, September 24 

    6:15 PM Child Care Begins 

    6:30 PM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    6:30 PM Service in Kahaner Auditorium

    Yom Kippur: Monday, September 25

    9:00 AM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    9:00 AM Service in Kahaner Auditorium 

    9:00 AM Service for Families with Young Children in Lower Wolfson

    9:00 AM Child Care Begins

    10:00 AM Youth Programming Begins 

    11:00 AM Teen Programming Begins 

    2:00 PM Child Care Ends 

    2:30 PM Meditation with Liat Kovnator in Kahaner Auditorium 

    2:30 PM Congregant Hour with Adam Garber in the Chapel 

    3:30 PM Yoga with Deb Glassman in Kahaner Auditorium

    5:00 PM Child Care Resumes 

    5:00 PM Mincha in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    6:30 PM Neilah in Goldberg Sanctuary 

    7:34 PM Fast Ends

    SUKKOT, SH’MINI ATZERET, AND SIMCHAT TORAH

    First Day: Saturday, September 30

    9:30 AM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary and on Zoom

    11:15 AM Tot Shabbat in Klinghoffer Chapel

    Services followed by Kiddush

    Second Day: Sunday, October 1

    9:30 AM Service in Goldberg Sanctuary and on Zoom

    Services followed by Kiddush

    Sukkot in the Square: Sunday, October 1 at 7:30 PM in Rittenhouse Square

    Hoshana Rabbah: Friday, October 6

    7:45 AM Service in the Klinghoffer Chapel and on Zoom

    Sh’mini Atzeret: Saturday, October 7

    9:30 AM Service with Yizkor in Goldberg Sanctuary and on Zoom

    11:15 AM Shmini Totzeret in Klinghoffer Chapel (Tot Shabbat)

    Services followed by Kiddush

    Simchat Torah Evening: Saturday, October 7

    6:00 PM Community Seudah Shelisheet Dinner

    7:00 PM Maariv Service

    7:15 PM Hakafot (Torah Dancing)

    Simchat Torah Morning: Sunday, October 8

    9:30 AM Service in the Goldberg Sanctuary and on Zoom

    10:15 AM (approx.) Hakafot (Torah Dancing) in Rittenhouse Square

    10:45 AM (approx.) Return to BZBI

    Services followed by Kiddush

    Section III.

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    Starting Monday, August 28 – members who ordered HHD tickets can pick them up at the Temple Office at BZBI (300 South 18th Street) during normal business hours. Tickets WILL NOT be mailed. If you are unable to pick up your tickets, please contact Aleksandra in the office. 

    There will also be an opportunity to pick up your tickets at will call, however – to avoid a line and long wait, we suggest arranging to pick them up from the office beforehand. 

    Member ticket information:

    Order Member High Holy Days Tickets Online Here

    Tickets will be issued to all BZBI adult members and dependents who are full-time students, aged 18 through 26 with a current Student I.D. Please email a photo of Student I.D. to Aleksandra Konior at akonior@bzbi.org. Children under the age of 18 do not need High Holy Days Tickets. You must be a member in good standing to receive High Holy Days tickets. If you need to make payment arrangements, please contact Leslee Schwartz at bookkeeper@bzbi.org. If you prefer a version of the form that you can download and print, click here.

    Guest ticket information:

    Request your Guest Tickets Online Here 

    BZBI has a limited number of guest tickets available. These may only be purchased by BZBI members for relatives who reside outside of the Greater Philadelphia area and are visiting for the High Holy Days. You must be a member in good standing to purchase guest tickets. Tickets are for the entire High Holy Days and cannot be prorated.

    If you prefer a version of the form that you can download and print, click here.

    Reciprocal tickets are available at no charge for those who are members in good standing at another USCJ synagogue. A letter from their current synagogue is required and should be sent to Aleksandra Konior’s attention at akonior@bzbi.org

    Families with children and teens may now register them for our High Holy Days youth programming and child care. Your children and teens are invited to hang out with friends, participate in age-appropriate youth services, and engage in experiential learning about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur through games, interactive discussions, and other fun activities. Please register your children and teens by Friday, August 18 at Noon by clicking here. 

    Section IV.

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    High Holy Days Child Care and Youth Programming Registration:

    Registration is required for High Holy Days (HHD) child care and youth programming. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 at 12:00 PM. In order to run an engaging and safe program, children who are not pre-registered using this form may not attend HHD child care or youth programming.    

    Who is eligible to join us for Child Care and/or Youth Programming? 

    Child care and youth programming is available for children two years old through high school. To participate in child care and/or youth programs, children must:

    • Be at least two years old
    • Be fully potty trained
    • Be free of symptoms consistent with respiratory or other contagious disease or illness (for example: COVID, Influenza, the common cold, Strep Throat, etc.)
    • Be able to wear a mask if they have been exposed to someone with a contagious disease (for example: COVID, Influenza, etc.) within five days of any child care/youth programming day they are attending
    • Be registered for child care/youth programming via this form
    • Be a member of a household that has BZBI High Holy Days tickets

    Can my child come and go from Child Care or Youth Programming? 

    • Children in 4th grade and younger are under our full supervision and cannot leave child care/youth programming without being checked out by an authorized adult
    • Children in 5th grade and older may check themselves out of child care and are only under our supervision when they are in child care spaces 

    Is there a Holiday Service for families with young children this year? 

    • YES! There will be a service for families to attend together with their young children at 9:00 AM on the First Day of Rosh Hashanah and on the Morning of Yom Kippur. 
    • The service is designed for pre-school and pre-kindergarten age children to attend with their grown ups, but older and younger siblings and other members of your household are welcome to join us!

    When is High Holy Days Child Care / Youth Programming available this year?

    First Day of Rosh Hashanah: Saturday, September 16 

    9:00 AM – 1:00 PM or the end of the service (whichever comes first)

    Second Day of Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 17

    9:00 AM – 1:00 PM or the end of the service (whichever comes first)

    Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur): Sunday, September 24

    6:15 – 9: 00 PM or the end of the service (whichever comes first)

    Yom Kippur Morning: Monday, September 25

    9:00 AM – 2:00 PM or the end of the service (whichever comes first)

    Yom Kippur Afternoon/Evening: Monday, September 25

    5:00 – 7:30 PM or the end of the service (whichever comes first)

    Section V.

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    BZBI Weekday and Shabbat Services

    BZBI welcomes anyone interested in daily or Shabbat minyan (worship services) to take part in our spirited and warm prayer community. We offer opportunities for prayer and community every morning, on Monday afternoons, and on the first Friday night of each month. Our First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat also offers two dinner options: an early dinner before the service and a late dinner afterwards.

    Weekday morning service times change for Festivals and most Federal holidays. Please contact the Temple Office if you have questions about a specific date. You can find the Minyan schedule on the BZBI website by clicking here. 

    Section VI.

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    OTHER WAYS TO GET READY 

    High Holy Days Honey Fundraiser 

    The BZBI Ritual Committee is sponsoring a Rosh Hashanah Honey from the Heart Fundraiser. The monies raised will help support ritual and synagogue-wide programming throughout the year. We are making it easy for you to send New Year’s greetings to your family and friends in the BZBI community. Each member will receive a jar of Kosher Honey along with a card listing all the people who have donated in their honor. To send a jar of honey with Rosh Hashanah greetings, you simply click on the personalized code that was sent via email. 

    Book of Remembrance 

    The Book of Remembrance, used during Yizkor services four times a year, is only available as a printed booklet. If you attend services in person, copies of the Book of Remembrance will be available in the Goldberg Sanctuary. If you will be joining us over Zoom, you can pick up a copy from the synagogue office during office hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday – Thursday and 9:00 AM -1:00 PM on Friday.

    The Sisterhood Gift Shop is ready for the High Holy Days! 

    Please stop by the Sisterhood Gift Shop to see our wonderful selection of apple and honey dishes, challah boards and covers, candlesticks, shofars, New Year cards and children’s books for all ages. Proceeds from all sales benefit our Laurie Wagman Playschool, Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and Neziner Hebrew School students. Email or call Aleksandra Konior in the office at (215)-735-5148 to check our hours or schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

    Order Your Lulav and Etrog Sets 

    The holiday of Sukkot begins on Friday evening, September 29 and BZBI is taking orders for personal Lulav and Etrog sets. The cost is the same as last year at $54 per set and the deadline to place orders is Wednesday, September 6th at 5:00 PM. Please note that once the deadline passes, we cannot place additional orders. Click here to order your set. If you wish to print the form out and bring it into the office, click here. 

    Community Selichot Musical Service

    BZBI and partners Society Hill Synagogue and Congregation Leyv Ha-lr welcome you to join in a spiritually rousing and heart-opening experience of prayer, song and contemplation led by musicians, clergy, and prayer leaders from all three communities. The Selichot service marks the beginning of the High Holy Days season and our Soul Spa is the perfect opportunity to get your heart, mind, and soul ready for Rosh Hashanah. This event will take place Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 8:30 PM at Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce Street.

    Reverse Tashlich Meet-Up

    Tikkun HaYam invites you to participate in a Reverse Tashlich  meet-up on September 10, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM . Join Jewish communities around the world as we reverse the Tashlich tradition and pull our “sins” (debris) from local environments. The event meet up location is Schuylkill Banks at Lloyd Hall Recreation Center. Contact Eileen Dwell at eileendwell@gmail.com or Liat Kovnator at liat.kovnator@bzbi.org with any additional questions, or visit www.repairthesea.org/reverse-tashlich

    Challah Bake 

    Get ready for the Challa-days! Join Eileen Dwell, Gary Bramnick, and Carmie Levine on Zoom for a 2-day class – making, braiding, and baking challah. This class will take place on September 11 and 12 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Sign up by clicking here.

    Session 1: prepare your dough and learn about the history & importance of challah

    Session 2: braid your dough (both round and traditional designs)

    Recipes, materials for baking, and a Zoom link will be sent to registered participants. This event is Free, but donations to the BZBI Kitchen Fund would be warmly welcomed.

    Rosh Hashanah Maariv in Fitler Square

    Begin your High Holiday experience with the distinctive melodies of Rosh Hashanah maariv, led by the extraordinary Gedalia Penner-Robinson on Friday, September 15, 6:30 to 7:00 PM. This service in Fitler Square (Pine St and 24th St) will be free and open to the public — invite all of your friends and family!

    High Holy Days Food Drive 

    The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will be accepting food donations for the High Holy Day Season from Friday, September 15 through Sunday, October 8. Please do not bring glass jars, open packages, or expired items. All food items (canned goods, non perishables, etc.) can be dropped off in the box provided in the 18th Street lobby. You can also bring in ShopRite, ACME and Giant gift cards for Mitzvah Food Program clients to use at their local stores. Gift cards up to $50 are preferred. You can also purchase food through the Mitzvah Food Program Amazon Wish List so that products are shipped directly to a pantry. If you have any questions regarding the food drive, please contact Liat Kovnator at liat.kovnator@bzbi.org

    High Holiday Journaling with Director of Engagement Liat Kovnator

    Come join members of BZBI for a High Holy Day Journaling Program at the synagogue on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:00 PM! We will reflect inward on the past year, and set goals for the new year ahead. Notepads and writing utensils will be provided. If you have any questions and/or would like to RSVP ahead of time, please contact Liat.

    Sukkot in the Square

    Celebrating the High Holy Days is as easy as a walk in the park. Join us for the ninth year of music in Rittenhouse Square (this year as a Sukkot concert) with an evening of spirited music on Sunday, October 1st at 7:30 PM in Rittenhouse Square.

    Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic dinner and listen to wonderful music created by Dan Blackburg + his extremely talented band of musicians.

    This event is taking the place of RH² this year and is a major undertaking. Your assistance is essential in enabling the larger community to enjoy the concert. For more information on how to become a sponsor, please contact Executive Director Lynne Balaban, or click here for the sponsorship form. 

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