Click here for a digital version of this year's memorial book
To register for Yom Kippur services, please email the office: office@tbanashua.org
View our up-to-date Covid-19 practices
Tuesday 10/4 6:00 pm
Join us as we begin our Yom Kippur observance as a community (TBA main sanctuary or Zoom).
Wednesday 10/5 9:30 am
Traditional prayers and melodies, interspersed with short explanations and music live or prerecorded by our Zimria choir. Led by Rabbi Jon, Cantor Stan Juda, Sharon Spivak and other congregants. Click on the image for more information, an hour-by-hour overview of the traditional service as well as the melodies we use. (TBA main sanctuary or Zoom)
Join us in the tent for a large screen streaming of the main sanctuary service from Torah service onward.
Wednesday 10/5 10:00 am
Shorter, upbeat and contemplative service outdoors under our tent, for seekers and those looking for a change of pace. Prayers in new versions and styles, and new ways of looking at old rituals and words. Led this year by congregants Laura Hegfield and Liz Macedo. (TBA tent or Zoom)
Stay in the tent for a large screen streaming of the main sanctuary service from Torah service onward.
Wednesday 10/5 10:30 am
Gather with other families at our outdoors space under the tent for singing, stories, and rituals of the New Year on Rosh Hashanah morning. Geared towards ages 0-5 with an adult, all ages are welcome! (Outside, weather permitting, or Indoors at the Education Center)
Wednesday 10/5 2:30 pm
Talk with Rabbi Jon and other community members about any thoughts you have in response to sermons and services of the High Holy Days.
Wednesday 10/5 4:00 pm
Join us in a study session on the book of Jonah.
Wednesday 10/5 starting at 5:15 pm
Join us as we complete our Yom Kippur holy day with Mincha, and Neila services, followed Havdalah by a break-the-fast light meal in the tent (Havdalah time is around 7:10 pm). Bring your Shofar to create a unified final Shofar blow with other congregants! (TBA main sanctuary, Zoom or streaming in the tent)
Frequently Asked Questions About In-Person Services
Beth Abraham has a good-sized parking lot, and if you come within the first 30-60 minutes of services you are likely to get a spot. You are welcome to park along the side streets in the neighborhood, such as Raymond, Chester, Berkeley, and Wood Streets. Please make sure not to block anyone’s driveway and to respect a distance of 25 feet from any intersection, according to Nashua city regulations. Also please note that some of our services are taking place behind each of our two buildings, and be mindful of making extra noise as you get out of your car.
The Temple doors are locked even during services. We have one entry point, through the main front entrance. Members are given access cards or fobs – please bring yours and use it to enter! If you are not a member or if you don’t have your access card/fob, there is a video doorbell and you’ll be asked for your name.
Anywhere! Beth Abraham has no assigned or pre-arranged seating.
We always save some seats that are easy to get to, by aisles and near the main doors into the Sanctuary. The ushers will be happy to help you. We have wheelchairs available.
Children are welcome in all of our services and activities, all the time through the holy days! In addition, we have some family services and activities scheduled – consult the overall schedule.
Absolutely! Children of any age can experience services and be fascinated by many dimensions – the big room, the presence of so many Jews, the sounds of singing, the intangible atmosphere of introspection. Being together with your child or children can be profound for you too.
If you have a child who is making noise or moving around, try sitting toward the back, in case you need to go out and take a break with your child in the Gallery or outside. But a little noise from young people contributes a good energy! Do make sure to supervise your children at all times, whether they are in the service or in the open spaces.
Traditionally, writing is considered a violation of Shabbat and holy day rules. One suggestion is stickers. Manipulative toys that do not make noise are also great.
You can! We are a kosher facility, so you can bring:
Foods baked in your home may not be brought in (even the rabbi’s family abides by this rule).
On Yom Kippur, you can bring snacks for your children, and if you need a little food for medical reasons, you should bring that too – just step to a little less area when you eat. If you have a question, or if you have special dietary needs that are hard to meet this way, ask Rabbi Jon ahead of time and we will work out something that works for you.
Our norms are as follows. We ask those who identify as male to wear a kippah on the head, whether you are Jewish or not. We encourage but do not require those who identify differently to do so as well. If you are Jewish and identify as male you should wear a tallit, which you may have or we have some too, and we encourage Jewish people who are not male to do so as well. We have both tallitot and kippot available for people to wear.
We observe the holy days by the traditional rules for Shabbat and festivals. Cellphones, cameras, and electronic devices are not used in the synagogue. This helps us focus on why we are here and on the people who are here with us. If your work requires you to be reachable, please set your device to vibrate, turn it off as soon as you perceive a call, and then walk outside the building or to an isolated corner somewhere to pick up a message or return a call.
Yes, you certainly can leave during services! There are certain times when it is not appropriate to leave – usually when the congregation is standing. You are welcome to be in the Gallery, which is our big open foyer.
We ask that you be mindful of the fact that even quiet conversations carry toward the prayer spaces, even when the doors are closed. So keep conversations very quiet, and if you are talking find a place that is far from the Sanctuary.
Yes! You will find a cart in the Gallery with a lot of Jewish books curated by Rabbi Jon to read instead of or in addition to the prayerbook. And absolutely bring any book, magazine, or printed material that you think will help you focus, as long as it is printed and not electronic.
Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19
As of September 19, 2022:
We do not have those requirements anymore. We do encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated and fully boosted, according to what is available for you, as a way to reduce the spread of all Covid-19 variants in our wider population and of course to reduce your own likelihood of becoming sick.
Out of concern for others and an abundance of caution, we ask that you stay home if you have had a known exposure within the five (5) days before a service. We recognize that this is a more demanding standard than most other places and a great disappointment if you were looking forward to coming. But know that you may be saving the life or health of another person, and hopefully that knowledge will help you find meaning in your prayers even at home.
Coming to the Temple is an affirmation of a covenant you are in with everyone else who is there. You should not come to the Temple if you have any symptoms that could be Covid-19 or any other illness that can be passed to others. Again we know this may be a great disappointment, but you will know that you are fulfilling a mitzvah by putting others’ health foremost.
If we do learn of a positive case within five days of any of our services, we will keep them in our prayers for healing and reach out to see what help the community can offer. In such a case we will let people know who were also present at the Temple so they can take whatever steps they need. We will not share the identity of the person. If we are able to figure out who were the closest contacts (e.g. sitting close by), we will try to reach them and in that case it might be necessary to say who the sick person is.
By coming to the Temple, you are affirming that you are part of a covenant with everyone there at the same time, and you are agreeing to let us know if you do become sick or test positive in the following five (5) days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoom Services
If you or someone you know needs help figuring out how to set up Zoom or how to connect through a good monitor or TV, contact the Temple office or the rabbi and someone will walk you through it.
First and most important – the Zoom links are unique for this year’s High Holy Days! They are not the same as the ones we use during the year, and they are not the same as the links from last year. Keep for reference the e-mail where all the Zoom information is.
Machzorim (prayerbooks/prayer packets) for both the Sanctuary and ReNewYear services are available to pick up at the Temple office or to download or view online through the High Holy Day pages on our website. Come during regular hours, or contact the office or rabbi to arrange a time or if you need something brought to you.
For the Sanctuary service, you will need a machzor and a booklet/supplement which has extra readings, English phonetic transliterations, and other explanations.
For ReNewYear, you will need the 18-page booklet we have prepared specially.
We are controlling who has these links to minimize the risk of being “Zoom-bombed” by someone who wants to disrupt our services. If you know someone who wants to participate, please register them or ask them to register.
An explanation of terms and ideas related to the High Holy Days
Our guide for the High Day Season, Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings, and the Machzor (High Holy Day Prayerbook)
Listen to melodies for all our traditional High Holy Day services.