Welcome to the High Holidays at Ohr Kodesh 

Seeing and Hearing Ourselves, Others, and God

וְכָל־הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹת

Join OKC this High Holiday season to “See and Hear: Ourselves, Others, and God.”  Just as Revelation at Sinai was a moment where “all the people saw the voices,” when each person experienced this Divine moment לפי כחו/l’fi kocho, according to their own ability, so too, we strive to be in relationship with ourselves, God and others as we begin 5784 together. 

                                       We look forward to beginning the new year together. 

Services 

There are three ways to join us for services: Indoors, Outdoors and via Livestream. 

High Holiday services will be conducted in the Mayer & Ethel Lerner Sanctuary. We will also be offering Outdoor Services in a large, tented area on our Main Parking Lot for Torah Service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and Kol Nidrei and Yizkor on Yom Kippur. Both locations will be led by clergy: Rabbi Corey Helfand, Cantor Hinda Labovitz and Rabbi Michael Rosenberg.

Services in the Lerner Sanctuary will be broadcast via Livestream. Instructions for using Livestream on holidays and for accessing the broadcast are HERE.

Yizkor Services: Please note that a Yizkor service will be conducted on Yom Kippur at both service locations using the Lev Shalem Machzor and supplemented by other readings.  

To reduce our environmental impact, Ohr Kodesh is no longer printing the Book of Remembrance memorial booklet. Many people have the practice of making a gift of tzedakah (a donation) in memory their loved one when Yizkor is recited. If you would like to do so, please click HERE.

Family Services: On Rosh Hashanah, just prior to Tashlich, there will be two family-friendly services. Rabbi Helfand will lead a service in the Outdoor Tent and Cantor Labovitz will lead a sensory-friendly family service in the Chapel. On Yom Kippur morning, Raviv Brooks will lead music-filled services, tailored for families with young children. The services will incorporate holiday songs, stories, and prayers. No registration is required.

Lev Shalem Machzor (High Holiday Prayerbook): If you would like to purchase a copy of the High Holiday Machzor, you can do so HERE. If you prefer to borrow a machzor from Ohr Kodesh, please contact Monica Saff by September 11.

Seating: Sanctuary & Outdoor Services 

OKC Members: Ohr Kodesh membership includes seats for High Holidays for each adult and child (18 and under) in your household. Tickets will NOT be required for OKC Members. If you have any questions, please contact HighHolidays@OhrKodesh.org.

Both the Sanctuary and Outdoor Services will offer “open” seating, available on a first come, first served basis. Please note, in the Sanctuary, one seating section (Section A, on the right, closest to the windows) has a designated area where masks are required and spaced seating between households is provided.

If you have historic seating commitments to be honored (permanent seats) or have seating needs that require accommodations, please contact Monica Saff by September 4.

Reciprocity: OKC Members who plan to attend High Holiday services in another community may make a request for “membership reciprocity.” To use this option, please submit a Reciprocity Request Form. Ohr Kodesh honors similar requests for visitors to our community.

Guests & Non-Members: Seats are available for purchase. Please submit a Seating Request Form by September 4. *OKC is committed to not having cost be a barrier or limitation to High Holiday Services attendance. Should you need to make special payment arrangements, please contact OKC Executive Director, Monica Saff.

All guests and non-members must bring their printed High Holiday Seating Confirmation Email and be prepared to present it to our greeters or security personnel. Smartphone screen images will not be accepted at OKC during the holidays.

 Youth Programs, Family Services & Babysitting 

OKC offers a variety of opportunities and formats for children and families to enjoy the High Holidays.  Join us for any and all activities. Pre-Registration Required &  Space is Limited!

To Register, use: Youth Programs Form and Babysitting Form. Deadline: Monday, September 11. 

Programs by Age Group:  Full Schedule HERE

• Babysitting (18-mths. - 2 Yrs.): Babysitting is offered at select times on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. There is a fee for babysitting. Children older than 2 Years should attend Youth Programs.

  • Pre-Kindergarten - 4th Grade: A variety of activities, songs, and play centered around the holidays. 

  • 5th - 7th Grades: A combination of discussion and activities based on holiday themes. 

Family Services: On Rosh Hashanah, just prior to Tashlich, there will be two family-friendly services. Rabbi Helfand will lead a service in the Outdoor Tent and Cantor Labovitz will lead a sensory-friendly family service in the Chapel. On Yom Kippur morning, Raviv Brooks will lead music-filled services, tailored for families with young children. The services will incorporate holiday songs, stories, and prayers. No registration is required.

COVID Policies: Ohr Kodesh expects all High Holiday attendees to be vaccinated against COVID to the full extent that they are  eligible. Additional details on masking requirements and OKC COVID Practices HERE.

Safety & Security: Our community’s safety is a top priority. There will be a strong security presence (professional and volunteer) monitoring our facility, our parking lot, and the surrounding area. Please be prepared to answer friendly questions about your identity or to show printed Guest Seating Confirmation Emails. We also reserve the right to check bags, if deemed necessary. Please appreciate that these steps are intended to help assure the safety and security of all.