Holidays & Festivals

Holidays and festivals are special times for our B'nai Harim community—a time to reflect, celebrate, and pay tribute to our Jewish heritage and traditions. Our festival programming includes a mix of worship and social events. Visit the event calendar for upcoming holiday programs and event reservations.

Selichot

Our services for the High Holy Days begin the Saturday night before Rosh HaShanah with the moving Selichot service. At this time, the rich maroon mantles of our Torah scrolls and the gold coverings of the reading stands are changed to white for the Yamim Nora’im and Chagim (Days of Awe and Festivals.) In the quiet of a sanctuary lit only by candle flames, each person embraces the Torah as it is passed through the congregation. The deep introspection of the prayers marks the beginning of the season of Repentance

Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah services are held for the congregation on the eve of the holiday and the first day, culminating in a Tashlich service at the shores of a beautiful nearby lake. There we symbolically cast away our sins into the waters. Second Day Rosh HaShanah services are offered to any congregants or members of the community who seek to celebrate two days of this holiday. Services are informal and informative and provide ample opportunity for reflection.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur worship begins with the evening Kol Nidre Service and extends throughout the day of Yom Kippur. Morning services begin at 10 a.m. and end at about 1 p.m. A Study Session with the Rabbi provides an uplifting way to pass the time until the Afternoon Services begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by Yizkor and Neilah. The congregation joins together to  break the fast after services. 

Sukkot

Sukkot services begin with Something in the Sukkah, a light collation in our congregational sukkah. Weather permitting, the brief festival service is held outdoors; otherwise, we step into our sanctuary for the prayers. The Sukkah (festival booth) is erected by congregants between the end of Yom Kippur and the beginning of Sukkot. Anyone is welcome to help! 

Yizkor services are held on the last day of the holiday at 10:15 am

Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah is celebrated joyously with 7 hakafot (parades with the Torah) and a reading of the end of the Book of Deuteronomy and the beginning of the Book of Genesis. We invite congregants to the honor of Chatan/Kallat Torah (reading the end) and Chatan/Kallat Bereshit (reading the beginning.) The Torah blessings are shared by all.

Chanukah

Shabbat Chanukah is often celebrated with a potluck dairy dinner, plenty of latkes and community candle lighting. Bring your chanukiah (Chanukah menorah)!  Often a congregational Chanukah party is held.

Tu b’Shvat

Our Tu b’Shvat Seder is a time to celebrate the gift of trees and their bounty and to rededicate ourselves to the mitzvah of Tikkun Olam. We celebrate this Jewish Earth Day on the closest Shabbat and combine it with Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song.

Purim

Purim at B’nai Harim is always celebrated on the Shabbat closest to this rollicking holiday. Everyone is invited to dress in costume and the service is done to the tunes of popular favorites. One never knows what the Rabbi will wear and how that will influence the music of the morning. The service is followed by a reading of the Megillah, and oneg. We often hold a riotous Purim Shpiel. No talent necessary! Join the fun.

Passover

B’nai Harim offers a Congregational Seder on the second night of Passover. Readings from our own Haggadah are shared among congregants and a festive Passover meal is served when we meet in person. There is plenty of time to answer more than the traditional 4 Questions! 

Shavuot

Shavuot marks the giving and receiving of Divine Revelation. In a way, the holiday is like a wedding between us and God celebrated at Mt. Sinai. The high point of our  festival service is the reading of the Ten Commandments. Our festival kiddush includes dairy foods to commemorate that no animals were harmed on that day.