Beth Meyer Synagogue High Holy Days Guide

The Space
Find somewhere in your house that’s
spacious enough to sit comfortably and see
the computer. Even better–and well within
some people’s technical capability–connect
your computer to your TV so you aren’t
crowding around a small monitor. Most
sanctuaries in North America are situated
so that people face East when they pray–
towards Jerusalem. Do you know which
direction is east when you’re sitting in your
designated prayer space? If it’s possible,
try to face east when you participate in
services. Otherwise, it’s nice if you at least
know where it is.
The Time
Clear your calendar of work obligations
for the High Holy Days. It is very tempting
to check in on work emails, meetings, and
phone calls when you are sitting at home
looking at your computer. But for these
special days, reserve your computer for
prayer, not for work.
Participate
Take it from us: It’s awkward and foreign to
sing at a computer screen. You may very
well find it strange to sing along as we lead
a congregational prayer when all you hear
is your lone voice. Try anyway. Respond
“Amen” when appropriate. Stand up and
be seated at the usual times. Put on a
tallit and kippah, and otherwise engage in
all the usual choreography of the service.
You may even find yourself less inhibited
to sing out loud and participate in front of
the screen.
Hold The Book
Follow along with the davennen (prayer)
while holding the mahzor (prayerbook) in
your hands. Don’t be a passive viewer.
Be an active davenner.
Get Dressed
Dress comfortably! You can probably do
without the usual formal attire, but we
encourage you to wear something befitting of
the holiness of the day, even though you
might be sitting on your living room couch. It’s
traditional to wear something new on Rosh
Hashanah and to recite the “shehehiyanu”
prayer when you put it on the first time.
Maybe you treat yourself to a new pair of
fuzzy socks? Remember that on Yom Kippur, it
is traditional to wear white and non-leather
soled shoes as a sign of purity and simplicity.
This year, wearing indoor slippers is a mitzvah!
Be On Time
In the old days (that is, 5780/2019), all
congregants arrived at shul at various times
throughout the service, stayed for however
long they chose, and then left. Our prayer
services will be slightly abbreviated and
separated into segments to allow for
bathroom and kitchen breaks. We understand
that folks will be “coming and going,” but to
the extent that you can, join us as we begin
and end each segment. We predict that our
time together will feel more impactful and
connective.
Playgrounds, Not Playpens
It’s easy to identify the differences between a
playground and a playpen. If you are parents
of young children, consider making your living
room into a “spiritual playground.” You know
your child(ren) best, so consider what kinds of
things you can have out and ready so that they
can engage in play while they pray and while
you pray. Don’t underestimate the power of
children observing you daven (pray) in your
tallit, eyes closed, heart open, prayerbook
in hand. Make sure there are toys, fidgets,
and snacks available so you are less distracted
and able to pray amidst the controlled chaos.
3

4
Be Open
Sitting in the sanctuary for High Holy Day services last
year, no one could have imagined that this would be the
way we would usher in 5781. Take advantage of these
unusual circumstances to experience something new. For
those with young children, you may feel relieved not to
worry about babysitting or the need to keep your
children from being loud in the sanctuary. For folks
without children in the home, we hope you will
consider joining us for the Family Service— everyone is
welcome. For the introverts among us, this may feel like
a total relief. The point is, this year will look and feel
different, but there is much for which we can still be
grateful.
Use the holidays as an opportunity to cultivate flexibility,
curiosity, creativity, and above all, gratitude.
This year, you won’t have to face the busy parking lot or
remember to bring your tickets (though have your links
ready!), but you can still prepare to transform your home
into a sacred place of holiness. And if we all prepare our
homes and hearts for holiness, we are confident our
prayers will be transformed into the lives and the world
we wish to see.
Cantor Matt Axelrod at Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains, NJ, whose recent article “Turning
Your Home Into a Sacred Space” is interspersed in this text.
Celebrating the High Holy
Days at home? Oy vey! Cover
your bases with these
must-haves.
Items to Have at Home
Candles and matches for candle
lighting on Erev Rosh Hashanah and
Erev Yom Kippur.
Yarzheit candle, traditional to light on
both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
as we remember our loved ones.
Tallit (prayer shawl) and kippah
(head covering).
Mahzor (prayerbook): Each
household can receive one copy per
adult, which you can pick up at the
synagogue. Instructions for pick-up
are included in later on in this book.
Have all links and passwords needed
for all the various services and
programs you plan to attend.
Food items for a Rosh Hashanah
Seder — if you plan to join us for a
community dinner over Zoom. Look
on page 11 for details.
Jewish ritual items: round challah,
juice/wine, kiddush cup, apples and
honey. This may be the year you
choose to add an object to your
collection. A small shofar of your
very own that you can practice
during Elul and sound on Rosh
Hashanah might be just the thing!
Feeling Creative?
Create a mizbeah (altar) with sacred
objects (i.e., ritual items, pictures of
loved ones, etc.) in the room in
which you pray.
Have a sheet, pillows and furniture
to build a prayer tent with young
children.
Set out some pictures of beloved
friends and family who have passed
from this world.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit:
A Program for Families with
Children in Elementary and
Middle School
Sunday, August 30, 4-5 p.m.
Rabbi Jenny Solomon and
Julia Snyder
Let’s get together and brush up
on the ins and outs of the "Days
of Awe." We’ll be playing Kahoot
(online quiz game) while
exploring forgiveness and
sharing family holiday traditions.
Minhah Moments for
Afternoon Meditation
Tuesdays and Thursdays
beginning September 1
Rabbi Jenny Solomon
Together, we will prepare our
hearts for the holidays in stillness
and prayer on the Beth Meyer
Synagogue Facebook Page.
Torah on Tap
Tuesday, September 1,
7:30 p.m.
Rabbi Eric Solomon
Grab your beverage of choice for
an evening of conversation and
connecting as we dive into some
texts and reflection that will help
us prepare for the new year.
Morning Torah
Beginning Friday,
September 4
Rabbi Eric Solomon
Enjoy inspirational messages
rooted in the themes of Elul to
help us prepare for Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the
Beth Meyer Synagogue
Facebook Page.
Preparing Your Heart for
the Hagim
Thursdays, September 10 and
17, 7:30 p.m.
Rabbi Eric Solomon
Join us to explore texts on
repentance and central prayers
from the mahzor in preparation
for Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur.
Welcome Back Kabbalat
Shabbat
Friday, September 11,
6:30 p.m.
For every generation and every
age. Join us for services, then an
opportunity to gather on Zoom
with small break-out groups.
Apples and Honey Bagging
Sunday, September 13, 9 a.m.
Our high schoolers will make
apples and honey gift bags to
give out to congregants and raise
money for our Youth Tikkun Olam
fund. Breakfast will be provided.
The high schoolers are invited to
stay after bagging and hand
them out to congregants picking
up their Mahzorim (prayerbooks)
from 9:30-11 a.m. (see below),
and again on September 16 from
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Mahzorim Pick-up #2
Sunday, September 13,
9:30-11 a.m.
Pick up your complimentary
copies of Mahzorim
(prayerbooks) at the synagogue.
Each household can receive one
copy per adult.
Getting Our Homes, Hearts
and Hands Ready for Rosh
Hashanah
Sunday, September 13, 4 p.m.
Rabbi Jenny Solomon and
Tina Shultz
This family program geared to
children ages 2-10 and their
grown-ups will include a story
and craft, sponsored by our
local PJ Library group. Rabbi
Jenny Solomon will offer helpful
advice on how to make our
homes into little sanctuaries
before the holiday.
Preparing Your Heart for the
Holidays Restorative Yoga
Sunday, September 13, 7 p.m.
Barbara Vosk and
Rabbi Jenny Solomon
Add depth and meaning to your
new year preparation by
participating in this special yoga
class. Take your prayers into
your body by breathing, moving,
and resting with the intention of
cultivating inner awareness, vision
and connection to self and
others. This class is appropriate
for everyone who is able to sit,
stand and lie down on a mat.
Shofar Blowing, Ice Cream and
Mahzorim Pick-up #3
Wednesday, September 16,
6-7:30 p.m.
Join us at the Beth Meyer
Synagogue campus for a sociallydistanced
evening of ice cream,
featuring Lumpy’s Ice Cream
Truck, and shofar blowing. This is
also your last chance to pick up
your complimentary Mahzorim
(prayerbooks) beginning at
5:30 p.m.
Pre-Holy Days
9

Solomon Rosh Hashanah Seder
You are cordially invited to attend a Seder on the second
night of Rosh Hashanah on Saturday, September 19 at
7 p.m., hosted by Rabbis Jenny and Eric Solomon from their
home and broadcasted on Zoom.
Seder Shopping Checklist
Here are items to have for the Seder. Check off items as you
prepare your shopping list. Ideally, foods listed below are served in
a form in which they can be eaten.
Candlesticks
Candles and matches/lighter for
lighting
Juice or wine for kiddush
A “new” fruit — something you
haven’t eaten all year, such as an
exotic fruit or a fruit you consider
a delicacy
Challah (round is traditional)
Honey
Apple
Haggadah
Pomegranate seeds
Green string beans
Leek or scallion
Beet or beetroot leaves
Pumpkin or gourd
Carrots
Fish (Vegetarian alternatives include
fish crackers or fish-shaped gummy
candies. Or, with a "fish head" in
mind, pick a "head" of something
else like lettuce or beer.)
The Solomons will be sharing their Haggadah over Zoom, but if you would like to print a
copy or copies for your table, go to: https://tinyurl.com/SolomonRHSeder
Bonus Food Items:
Add a food/beverage/condiment with which you can make a New Year’s wish with a
food pun. Here are some examples:
When a salad consisting of peas and thyme is placed on the table, say: “May
we merit peace in our time!”
Punch and (bread) rolls, since we're hoping for a year in which we "roll with
the punches."
Bring out the condiments! “May we 'mustard' our strength so that we can find
the time to ‘ketchup‘ with family and friends and 'relish' all the little moments
in life.”
Carob: “This year, may we 'carabout' our fellow humans more than ever.”
RH
11

Book of Remembrance, $5 per name
Please indicate how many names you have for the "Book of Remembrance," then use
the space below to list their names. The names memorialized on the plaques in the Beth
Meyer Sanctuary will automatically be included.
Number _______
Please list the names to be listed in the "Book of Remembrance":
$ ____________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
New! High Holy Day Greetings, $36 per greeting
Looking for a unique way to wish your fellow congregants a L'shanah Tovah this year? Write
out your greeting below, and it will be displayed on the screen (like a news ticker) for all
the congregation to see before, in between, and after services this year. Please keep
messages brief. Example: "Wishing everyone a safe and healthy 5781! -Deb, Jon & Joe Katz"
Number of greetings _______
$ ____________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Simhat Torah Honors, $18
Honoring Sherry Shapiro and Jasmine Medoff
$ ____________
Form
Lulav and Etrog Sets, $60 each
Number _______
$ ____________
18
Total of all Donations:
The names of donors will be printed in our annual Yamim Noraim Honors booklet.
Please make your check payable to "Beth Meyer Synagogue" and return it, along with this form, to
Beth Meyer Synagogue, 504 Newton Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 by Monday, August 24.
We regret that donations received after Monday, August 24, may not be listed in the booklet.
$ ____________