We are delighted that you have chosen to spend the High Holidays with Congregation Shaarey Tikvah!
All services will be in-person AND livestreamed.
Please read the following information carefully.
2023 COVID UPDATE
Thankfully, since we gathered at this time last year, rates of serious COVID infection have fallen, there is widespread partial immunity, and additional treatments are available. Large, prolonged indoor gatherings still carry some variable risk, and singing carries additional risk. People have become used to making individual decisions about attendance and masking in public spaces. Please feel free to make your own judgement about attendance, masking, and choice of seating. We simply ask that if you are feeling unwell and think you may have a communicable illness of any kind, that you choose not to attend services.
Tickets
“Tickets” this year will again be in the form of a nametag, available at the South Door when you attend your first service, and must be shown to the police officer(s) for admittance to High Holy Day services. You will be given a lanyard for your nametag upon entry to services. Please wear (or carry) your nametag at all times. This will make it easier for our security team to know who is in the building as well as to help create a more friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our non-Congregant visitors. Please return the lanyard at your last High Holy Day service.
We request that you please take care of your (financial) community contribution to CST before the High Holy Days. Members who find themselves in a financial situation that does not enable them to do so or are unable to pay the community commitment reflected on your July 2023 statement, should call me at (216) 765-8300 ext. 101 as soon as possible to make other arrangements. Financial situations are handled in confidence and no one will be denied entry to High Holy Days or any religious service during the year due to the inability to pay.
Members receive High Holy Day tickets at no charge. They are included with their membership. Seats are not assigned. Tickets are issued as part of synagogue security and are NOT transferable.
High Holy Day tickets are available to non-members. Ticket prices are as follows:
| Members’ children thru age 30 | No cost |
| College students (with valid ID) | No cost |
| Members of the Armed Forces (with valid ID) | No cost |
| Members in good standing from out-of-town synagogues (with confirmation letter) | No cost |
| Non-members | Tishrei membership | $180/adult |
Tishrei Membership for Non-Members
As we hope to show off our wonderful kehillah at more than just Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we encourage non-members to attend a Shabbat service, an educational program, and/or a Shabbat meal at someone’s home during the month of Tishrei. Please refer to the High Holidays Registration Form to purchase these tickets and to indicate if you would like someone to contact you to learn more about our array of Shaarey Tikvah community opportunities.
High Holiday Honors
In our ongoing effort to promote congregational participation throughout the High Holy Days, we encourage everyone, whether or not they are interested in having an honor, to please fill out the High Holidays Registration Form and return it to the office no later than August 25, 2023. We will make every effort to accommodate your request. This procedure has worked very well over the last several years, and has saved the committee a tremendous amount of time in trying to understand the priorities of the congregational membership. PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM, even if you will not be attending services for some or all of the High Holy Days. Should you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact Diane Burgin at 216.921.4004.
Schedule of Services
All services will be in-person AND livestreamed. Please note that livestream and/or Zoom links will be available at least 3 days prior to each service or event.
Selichot
| Selichot | Saturday, September 9 | 8:30pm |
Rosh Hashanah
| Erev Rosh Hashanah | Friday, September 15 | 7:15pm |
| 1st Day | Morning Services | Saturday, September 16 | 8:30am |
| Tashlich at Ursuline College | Sunday, September 17 | 5:00pm |
| 2nd Day | Morning Services | Sunday, September 17 | 8:30am |
| Shabbat Shuvah | Saturday, September 23 | 9:00am |
Yom Kippur
| Kol Nidre | Sunday, September 24 | 7:00pm |
| Morning Services | Monday, September 25 | 8:30am |
| Yizkor | 12:30pm (approx.) | |
| Mincha | 5:30pm | |
| Neilah | 6:30pm (approx.) | |
| Break Fast | 8:00pm |
Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
| Erev Sukkot | Friday, September 29 | |
| 1st Day Sukkot | Morning Service | Saturday, September 30 | 9:00am |
| 2nd Day Sukkot | Morning Service | Sunday, October 1 | 9:00am |
| Shemini Atzeret | Morning Service & Yizkor | Saturday, October 7 | 9:00am |
| Erev Simchat Torah | OkTORAHfest – More details to follow | Saturday, October 7 | 6:30 |
| Maariv | 7:45pm | |
| Hakafot | 8:00pm | |
| Simchat Torah Day | Sunday, October 8 | 9:00am |
Security
We take the issue of synagogue security seriously. We want to ensure people’s safety within a comfortable environment. Recent events require us to be mindful of possible threats so we can act accordingly. As in past years, a security/police officer will be stationed at each of the two entrances to the building. Security ushers serve as an additional set of eyes. They assist our security professionals in identifying and greeting our members and guests. Unless there is an emergency, please do not enter or exit through any of the doors not serviced by a police officer.
Volunteer Security Ushers
A dedicated group of CST members volunteer their time to enable the congregation to come together in a safe and orderly environment. In the event of an emergency, please follow the instructions of the security ushers. We continue to have a need for adult volunteers to usher for the High Holy Day worship services. Please consider volunteering for this important work. Various time slots are available. Security Ushers stationed at the South Doors will welcome congregants and guests and supplement the police security. Those stationed at the West Door will be available to open the doors for guests who are not able to walk around to the South Doors. Check-In-Table Ushers will greet congregants and guests and ensure nametags are worn/displayed. We will also have floaters to assist the other ushers at expected peak times and serve as a circulator during those busiest periods during the High Holidays. You are welcome to sign up for more than one shift. Please refer to the High Holidays Registration Form to complete and return by August 25, 2023. You will be notified of your assignment shortly thereafter.
What to Bring
Mahzor: Our primary prayer book for the High Holy Days is Mahzor Lev Shalem, the Conservative Movement’s mahzor. Through the generosity of several anonymous donors, we have additional copies for our guests. Please bring your mahzor with you, taking care to inscribe your name in your books. If you would like to purchase a mahzor, please see the High Holidays Registration Form or stop by the office to see Martha or Debbie.
NOTE: If borrowing a mahzor from the shul, please return it at the end of each day.
Kippot & Tallit: As a sign of respect for our sacred space, we ask that kippot are worn at all times in the synagogue. Though this custom is traditionally observed by men, we encourage women to do so as well. All men and women must have their heads covered when ascending the bimah. Jewish men and women over the age of bar/bat mitzvah are strongly encouraged to wear a tallit as well. Extra tallitot and kippot are available at the door.
Sanctuary Etiquette
Children at the High Holy Days
As every year, children are welcome to sit with their parents (or grandparents or other family members) during all High Holy Day services. There are books available in the back of the sanctuary but you are encouraged to bring books and quiet toys for them to enjoy on their own or with small quiet groups in the social hall, Beit Tefilah, Atrium or Josh’s Play Station (the playground). When not in the sanctuary, children must be accompanied by an adult or responsible older family member.
Services can be heard over speakers in the Beit Tefilah and Social Hall.
Childcare & Children’s Programming
Congregation Shaarey Tikvah is pleased to make childcare available for families with children from 0 – 5 and programming for children in grades K-7. Please use the High Holidays Registration Form to register your children, grandchildren and/or children of guests you may have invited this year. It is difficult to accommodate children who have not pre-registered. Thank you, in advance, for respecting this request.
Childcare for children ages 0-5 and programming for children in grades K-7 will be available for the services below:
Rosh Hashanah
Days One and Two: 9:00am – Conclusion of service
Saturday, Sept. 16 & Sunday, Sept. 17
Yom Kippur
Sunday, Sept. 24 (Kol Nidre) 7:00pm – Conclusion of service (Only for ages 0-5)
Monday, Sept. 25 9:30am – Conclusion of Musaf
Costs for babysitting services are:
$60/child for all Four Services (Rosh Hashanah 1 & 2, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur)
$50/child Rosh Hashanah 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur
$20/child Individual sessions
We hire babysitters based on pre-registration and, therefore, require advance registration and pre-payment. There is no cost for programming for children in grades K-7.
General Rules:
1. All children will be given nametags and are expected to wear them at all times.
2. All children will be “signed in” and “signed out” using stickers, by either a parent or an adult caretaker. Siblings under 13 cannot take children to babysitting or pick them up from childcare or programming.
3. If your child becomes inconsolable or is disruptive in childcare or programming, you will be notified.
4. Your child(ren) should be with you, in childcare or programming, or in the sanctuary at all times. Children cannot congregate in the lobby, hallways, or social halls.
Children will receive a light lunch and snacks on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please indicate all food allergies when registering your child(ren). No outside food will be allowed in the Education Wing. Should you need to bring any special food items from home for the health of your child, please be mindful of the health considerations of others and our synagogues’ kashrut policy.
Please contact Holy Sukol at hollysukol@gmail.com with any specific questions or requests.
FAMILY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
There will be family services, activities, and learning opportunities for youth in kindergarten through 7th grade on both days of Rosh Hashanah as well as on Yom Kippur day.
It is our expectation that, throughout the duration of HHD services, your child will be with you, in babysitting, or involved in educational programming. Parents of children in grades K – 7 who would like them to participate in educational programming must return the Registration Form no later than August 25th so we can plan our activities appropriately.
If you have questions, comments, concerns, or simply want to chat about options for children at Shaarey Tikvah during the holidays, please contact Holly Sukol at hollysukol@gmail.com.
Additional Information for the High Holidays
Yom Kippur Book of Remembrance: Information can be found on the High Holidays Registration Form.
Attention Shofar Enthusiasts: The Neilah Service on Yom Kippur concludes with a final blast of the Shofar. All who wish to participate in the blowing of the final “Tekiah Gedolah,” are invited to do so following the solo blast from the Baal Tekiah’s Shofar.
Purchasing Lulav & Etrog: Lulavim & etrogim are available for purchase through Frank’s Hebrew Bookstore, 14425 Cedar Rd., South Euclid, or Grand Judaica, 1873 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights.
Tashlich: We will be “casting forth” on Sunday, September 17 at 5pm at Ursuline College’s beautiful Lake Elissa again this year, weather permitting. The hill to the lake is steep with limited accessibility; if mobility is a challenge, please plan accordingly. We are grateful guests of Ursuline College again this year and plan to respect their property leaving it as pristine and peaceful as we found it. NO BREAD, please. Small rocks will be provided for casting. There is no access for walkers or drivers from Fairmount Boulevard due to construction work on campus. Drivers: Enter the North Entrance on Lander Road and follow the signs for the Stano Center and Pilla Center (shown on the map as #7 and #8) where parking is available. You will have a short walk, on a sidewalk and on grass as it slopes gently down to the lake. Walkers and cyclists: Enter the Main Entrance on Lander.
Corners of our Field & MAZON Donations
Our Jewish tradition impels us to set aside “the corners of our fields” for the poor and the stranger, so that they might share in the bounty of our harvest. For many years, thousands of Jews have given life to that tradition by supporting MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger monetarily, and/or by donating food and supplies to local charities. This appeal has raised millions of dollars and millions of pounds of food. This is not just a Cleveland event, but takes place nationwide.
The goal of MAZON’s High Holy Day campaign is to raise money for MAZON’s work in our community and beyond, and to collect food for local charities. Critical to the success of this effort is promoting an understanding that donations of both food (to a local charity) and money (to MAZON) are crucial to finding a long-term solution to the hunger crisis. Shaarey Tikvah supports these efforts by donating food to area hunger centers.
Another option would be a monetary donation to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Anyone that would like to take advantage of this option is welcome to leave a check made out to MAZON with the office or send a check to MAZON, PO Box 96119, Washington, DC 20090.
We hope each member/family will fill a whole grocery bag (or more) of much needed donations and bring it back to shul by Friday, October 13. Volunteers will then sort and rebag the groceries for presentation to area hunger centers. Items especially desired are: diapers, baby food, desserts, canned items (i.e. pasta, fish, soup, vegetables and fruit). Donations of toilet paper and paper towels are always needed.
Anyone who wishes to help sort or deliver food items, please join us on Sunday, October 15 from 9:00 to 10:30am at the synagogue. If anyone has food to donate, but cannot get it to the synagogue, please feel free to call the office for a pick-up.
