High Holidays 2026/5787
Rosh Hashanah begins September 11
Shanah Tova!
We are looking forward to welcoming 5787 with you!
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Services | Youth Program | Yizkor Book | High Holiday Appeal | Greeters | FAQs | Sukkot
Registration for High Holiday Services has closed.
Please contact the office with any questions at office@etzhayim.net. Children not registered for youth services will only be accommodated if there is space.
Note: the office phones will be off the week of September 7 as we prepare for the holidays.
Please email or call and leave a message and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Youth Services & Programming
Youth services and programming is available for ages 18 months to b-mitzvah age on both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Registration is required.
Registration is now closed. Member children not registered for youth services will only be accommodated if there is space.
Yizkor Book
Having a name memorialized in a Yizkor Book is a beautiful way to honor our loved ones. While they are no longer with us in the physical realm, we still hold their memories close to our hearts every day and in particular this time of the year.
For your convenience, we will automatically include names from last year’s Yizkor book and bill your account. If you would prefer to not include, please email office@etzhayim.net and let us know by September 1.
If you would like to include a new listing in this year’s Yizkor book, please complete the “Yizkor Book Participation” section of the registration form. For each name you want to be memorialized, $18 will be added to your High Holidays contribution.
Names from last year’s Yizkor book can be viewed here.
Deadline is September 1. The Yizkor Book is closed.
High Holiday Appeal
We ask that you please consider participating in our High Holiday Appeal. Your contribution will support Congregation Etz Hayim's staff costs, programming, and facilities throughout the year. Click here to complete the pledge form.
Thank you for sustaining us into the future!
Greeters
Members: Please click here to help us during the High Holidays by volunteering to serve as a greeter or usher. Training will be provided to all volunteers.
Social Action
This High Holiday season, let's turn our prayers into action and help feed our neighbors in need. We will be collecting donations for AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center). Requested items include: canned goods (fruit, tuna, soup, vegetables, tomatoes), peanut butter (in plastic jars), and cereal. The food drive is part of USCJ's Operation Isaiah and goes from August 30 to September 30.
FAQs
Overview
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The High Holidays refers to an important period of Jewish holidays that fall during the Hebrew month of Tishrei (September-October) every year. They honor renewal, vulnerability and introspection, and forgiveness. These holidays are: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. To read more about each Holiday, click here.
Registration & Attendance
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Yes. Everyone attending services must register. You can register HERE.
The registration form allows contains information for tickets (member, non-member, guest, Yizkor book listings, youth services, and High Holiday appeal.
Member tickets will be mailed to your home.
Non-members and guest tickets can be picked up upon entry. Please bring ID.
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Guests are welcome! For security purposes, guests/non-members must be registered in advance and tickets can be picked up at entry. All guests will be asked to show photo ID. There is a suggested donation of $216 for adults 30+. $99 for ages 13-29 and$54 for students or military.
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Tickets will be mailed to members at the beginning of September.
Youth registered for the Youth Services & Programs will be given their badges upon entry. (Registration is required)
Guests and Non-members that registered can pick up their tickets upon entry. Government issued ID is required.
Online Services
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Yes, all services (except for Tashlich, which is outdoors and on-the-move) will be streamed online via Zoom. All online participants will be muted, and chat is disabled during services. We encourage anyone joining us to have your camera turned on, so we can see you in our sanctuary as well. Once you turn your camera on, please be mindful that everyone in the sanctuary can see you. We encourage you to be present with us, without TV, cellphones, food, or other distractions. Members can find Zoom info here. Non-members will be provided Zoom info after registration.
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For members, the Zoom links will be available on the Zoom Links & Passwords page on your ShulCloud portal.
Non-members are required to register and will receive Zoom links after registration if they call the office.
Ticket Fees
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Yes. Your CEH membership includes all High Holiday services and activities. Please register to receive your tickets. Associate membership does not include free tickets.
Please note that all previous year's dues plus at least one third of this year's dues must be paid by the High Holidays.
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Yes. For non-members, we would love to have you with us, either in person or online. Tickets for non-members (age 13+) are a suggested donation of $216 for Adults 30+. $99 for ages 13-29, and $54 for student or military. This covers all Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.
Government issued ID is required.
Please contact office@etzhayim.net for any accommodations
Youth Programming
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On both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, CEH will be running educational Youth programming from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Activities include: learning stations, services, and song sessions. Children must be pre-registered HERE.
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Parents may attend the tefilla portion of Youth Programming. Please contact the office for more information.
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18 months through pre b-mitzvah. Activities include learning stations, age appropriate services, snack, and song sessions. Youth must check-in each day at the check-in table. Children may be both inside and outside.
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Youth will be required to stay in the programming space until you pick them up. If a child requests to see you, a member of the staff will relay that message to you so that you can come down to get your child. Youth may not roam the building.
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Yes, on Rosh Hashanah Days 1 & 2 we will provide apples, honey & challah. On Yom Kippur there will be healthy snacks.
Hazzan
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Yes, Gila Drazen will again be joining the CEH community for the 5787 High Holiday season! A graduate of the University of Judaism, Gila spends her days in the development department at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. She has led High Holiday services in Austin, Texas; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Los Angeles, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; La Crosse, Wisconsin; Brooklyn, New York; and Huntington, West Virginia; growing up, she was a member of the choir at Beth El Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska. She and her husband Rob live in New York City, where they are members of the Forest Hills Jewish Center.
Seating & Special Accessibility
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Yes! Please email office@etzhayim.net with special needs and accommodation requests.
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Seating is first-come, first-serve. Reserved seating will be honored for those with medical needs only.
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No walk-ins. All attendees must have tickets. Security Officers will be at the door, and we have enhanced security procedures. No one can enter the building without a ticket/name badge. Name badges must be worn at all times. All bags will be checked.
Government issued ID is required.
Sukkot
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Sukkot begins September 25
Join us for Sukkot and Simchat Torah! Order your lulav and etrog. Come dance with the Torahs and our Klezmer band!
