High Holidays 2023/5784

We look forward to having you join us at Beth Jacob Synagogue for the High Holidays this year!  

Zoom links for all High Holiday services can be found in your registration confirmation email that you will receive after submitting.

Our High Holiday services this year will be offered in person at Beth Jacob Synagogue and simultaneously on Zoom to be streamed from home.

For the health and safety of vulnerable members of our community, masks will be encouraged for all indoor services.

Unlike other congregations in the region, our High Holiday services are open to members and non-members alike.  Please become a member and support all our programs year-round! Alternatively, you may make a High Holiday contribution at the suggested amount of $54. Or you can send a check to Beth Jacob Synagogue, P.O. Box 1133, Montpelier, VT 05601-1133.

Leader- Rabbi Rena Blumenthal   

Rena Blumenthal is a freelance rabbi based in New Paltz, New York.  She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003, and worked at Vassar College as Assistant Director of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life and Rachlin Advisor to Jewish Students from 2003-2014. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rena worked for fifteen years as a psychologist in New York City and Jerusalem. Her freelance rabbinate has included many adventures, including campus consultation for Jewish life, a wide range of formal and informal teaching opportunities, training of interfaith college chaplains, hospital chaplaincy, officiating at weddings and other lifecycle events, and leadership of a monthly Havurah service for the New Paltz community. Rena is the author of a novel, The Book of Israela. She loves to hike and swim, and can't imagine a lovelier place to lead High Holiday services than Vermont in the fall.

High Holiday Schedule 2023/5784

Rosh Hashanah 
Friday, September 15, 7:00 p.m.  Evening service 

Saturday, September 16    Approximate times listed          
     9:00 – 10:00 a.m.    Shacharit service 
     10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Torah service 
     11:30 – 12:30 p.m.  Musaf                                                          
 
Humanist Service
Saturday, September 16, 7:00 p.m. led by Matt Levin
In person only
This participatory service in English embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture, values, traditions, and identity with an adherence to humanistic values and ideas. 
 
Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 17    Approximate times listed         
     9:00 a.m.  – 10:00 a.m.    Shacharit service 
     10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.   Torah service, Shofar and Musaf 

    4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Tashlich – in person only, Montpelier 
                                       recreation field, Poolside Dr, off Elm St.   

Yom Kippur

Kol Nidre
 Sunday, September 24
     6:00 p.m.                  Musical rendition played on cello
     6:20 p.m.                  Kol Nidre service 

Monday, September 25      Approximate times listed
     9:00 – 10:00 a.m.             Shacharit
     10:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.  Torah service, Yizkor, and Musaf

*Yizkor will not begin before 11:00am

-BREAK-

      4:00 - 5:00 p.m.       Text study with Enrique Bueno
      5:45 p.m.                  Minchah and Neilah service 
      7:15 p.m.                  Shofar blowing and Havdalah