High Holidays 2025/5786

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

Our High Holiday services this year will be offered in person at Beth Jacob Synagogue and simulcast on Youtube to be streamed from home. Links for sign-up for all High Holiday services can be found in your registration confirmation email that you will receive after submitting. Video options will not be visible until the day of service (as it will be live).

For the health and safety of vulnerable members of our community, masks will be encouraged for all indoor services, but are not mandatory.

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 $72. 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 2025/5786

Rosh Hashanah 
Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m.  Evening service  - in person only

Tuesday, September 23   Approximate times listed    - in person and Youtube
     9:00 – 10:00 a.m.    Shacharit service 
     10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Torah and Shofar service 
     11:30 – 12:30 p.m.  Musaf   

Children's service will be held 10-11:30 in the tent. Leader TBA.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Tashlich – in person only, Montpelier 
                                       recreation field, Poolside Dr, off Elm St.                        
 
Humanist Service
Tuesday, September 23, 6:00 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
Wednesday, September 24    Approximate times listed    - in person only     
     9:00 a.m.  – 10:00 a.m.    Shacharit service 
     10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.   Torah service, Shofar and Musaf 

Yom Kippur

Kol Nidre
Friday, October 1            - in person and YouTube
     5:30 p.m.                  Musical rendition played on cello
     5:45 p.m.                  Kol Nidre service 

Saturday, October 2      Approximate times listed   - in person and Youtube
      9:00 – 10:00 a.m.    Shacharit service 
     10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Torah and Shofar service 
     11:30 – 12:30 p.m.  Musaf service

Children's service will be held 10-11:30 in the tent. Leader TBA.

*Yizkor will not begin before 11:00am

-BREAK-

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

Breaking of the fast will be potluck style - bring a vegetarian or dairy dish to share!