High Holidays 2023

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are collectively known as the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe), the holiest days of the year. We welcome the new year with apples and honey, family togetherness, and hope for the days ahead. The sounds of the shofar remind us that forgiveness and change are both possible and necessary.

We are looking forward to celebrating the High Holidays with you! 

Our services and experiences will include many of the things that our members have come to expect and love. Here are a few highlights we wish to feature: 

RETURNING THIS YEAR

We are returning to our typical three-service format with services in Dweck Sanctuary, Goodman Hall, and Hayman Chapel. Our most popular innovations from previous years including adult discussion opportunities during and between services, the Creative Service (click for 30-second video description) on the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah, and open seating on the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah and whenever we are combined in Dweck Sanctuary are also returning. 

We are excited after a couple of years off to rekindle our B'nai Israel tradition of inviting children to the bimah at the conclusion of Yom Kippur Neilah Services for Havdalah to wave glow sticks. We hope families will join us for this beautiful and special family opportunity! 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Click here for information to attend services in-person (tickets required).

Livestream Option

If you are unable to join us in-person, you are welcome to watch our HD Livestream, which is available any time there is a service in Dweck Sanctuary. You can also join services in Dweck Sanctuary via Zoom at the link below. Closed Captioning is available on ZOOM ONLY and is made possible by the Meisel Family Endowment. 

 Password: 6301

Digital Access to Mahzor Lev Shalem 

Members of B’nai Israel can click here to request a link for digital access to Mahzor Lev Shalem. You must be logged in to your ShulCloud account to access the request form.  An email with the link for Mahzor Lev Shalem will be sent to your email as soon as you click “submit.” If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folders.

B’nai Israel Welcomes the Entire Community

The following services are open to our entire community—even if you have not obtained High Holiday tickets.

We look forward to sharing these special experiences of the High Holidays together!

FAMILY, YOUTH & TEEN EXPERIENCES

Our full menu of opportunities for children to engage in celebration can be found here. 

While children are always welcome into any of our services, our Play & Pray Space will be open throughout the holidays with a livestream from Dweck Sanctuary for families who wish to watch and listen together in this comfortable environment.

Click here to learn more about our Tots, Youth and Teen opportunities.

OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THE HIGH HOLIDAYS

As we do every year, we will be offering other opportunities to enhance the experience in the month leading up to the High Holidays and in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Stay tuned for more information about these and other programs:

• High Holiday Workshops
• Kever Avot Cemetery Service at B’nai Israel Cemetery in Oxon Hill 
• Kever Avot Cemetery Services at Garden of Remembrance 
• Kever Avot Cemetery Services at Judean Memorial Gardens
• Selihot 
• Ask the Rabbi
• Lay-led Adult Discussions and Presentations
• Operation Isaiah Food Drive to Benefit Manna Food Center

oxon hill cemetery special visitation hours

It is customary during the period before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to visit the graves of our family and friends. 

YIZKOR MEMORIAL BOOK

Each year, B’nai Israel Congregation provides a Book of Memory for use at the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the eighth day of Pesah, and the second day of Shavuot. Including the names of our deceased loved ones in our Yizkor Memorial Book is a meaningful tribute to them and a tangible reflection of their impact on our lives. May the memory of our loved ones always be a blessing. To view the 5783/2022 Yizkor Book, click here.

Sisterhood Holiday Flowers

Stay connected with family and friends by sending a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers for their Rosh Hashanah table.

$70 for local delivery
$75 for out-of-area delivery

Orders must be received by Tuesday, September 5 for delivery before Rosh Hashanah. Click here to download the order form.

Questions? Contact Linda Heller at hellerbehr@gmail.com, 240-462-1108.