High Holiday Information Sheet 5771

Rabbi Tirzah Firestone will lead services, along with Rabbi/Cantor Aviva Bass. Please take careful note of the following information related to the various High Holy Day events.
All services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Boulder, 1128 Pine St.
(Pine St. and Broadway) UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

CARPOOLING STRONGLY ENCOURAGED! We suggest that you either park in the parking garage on Spruce, just west of Broadway, or in the city lot directly north of it (which borders on the church.) There is very limited handicap parking in the church lot. Free parking may be available on nearby streets, though less likely during business hours.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLES!

MEMBERS & PRE-PAID GUESTS ONLY - MAY ENTER THE MAIN SANCTUARY ENTRANCE (On Pine St.) Please give your name as you enter. Your nametag indicates you have registered so don’t forget to get one.
THOSE STILL NEEDING TO PURCHASE TICKETS ENTER VIA THE SOUTH DOWNSTAIRS ENTRANCE (near the parking lot on Spruce.) Both registration areas are in the original, older building.

• If you are disabled or have difficulty with stairs, please use main entrance, or there is an elevator that someone can show you.
• Teens ages 13 and up are encouraged to respectfully join the adult services except during special teen event during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning services.

• GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN: It is our aim to offer uplifting services for the entire family while respecting the sanctity of our holidays, the safety of our children, and the property of our hosts at the First Congregational Church. Children are welcome to sit with their parents at services or remain in childcare. They MAY NOT BE unsupervised on church grounds! Clear guidelines will be provided when you check your child in. Parents are responsible for their children at all times.

• DRESS: We recommend festive and comfortable dress. On Yom Kippur it is traditional (but not required) to wear white, as a symbol of the purification process we are in, and also traditional to avoid wearing leather. (Shoes can be removed at the door.)

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Please join in! Volunteers are needed to help with transporting items, making signs, greeting, baking honey cakes, set-up and clean-up at High Holidays. Participating as a volunteer is a wonderful opportunity to be a “Nevei Kodesh Ambassador” and introduce the spirit of renewal to all who attend our services. Please contact Kellie Pederson or Scott Griffiths:kellie@tandemleap.com.

SCHEDULE OF HIGH HOLIDAY EVENTS

• S’lichot Service:Saturday, Sept. 4, 8-10:30 p.m. Havdalah and chants/prayers for forgiveness. Includes special presentation by our own Kosher Hams players. At Nevei Kodesh, 3269 28th St. Bring your shofar!

• Mikvah/Purification Ceremony for High Holy Days:Tuesday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. (meet to carpool). Led by Eve Ilsen. The Mikvah will be at Idaho Springs (Indian Hot Springs Resort). This is a HIGHLY worthwhile way to prepare for High Holy Days. Meet to carpool at 7:45 a.m. (leaving promptly by 8 a.m.) in front of the Saver’s store at the Table Mesa Shopping Center, southeast parking lot. (Take Broadway to just south of Table Mesa and turn right into the parking lot. Saver’s store is on your left.) Cost: $18/person. We will be back in Boulder approximately 12:30 p.m. (See below for PREPARING FOR A MIKVAH)

• Rosh Hashanah Services:
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. Children’s services led by Rabbi Aviva (our new co-rabbi and school director) will begin promptly in the Chapel (new building, ground floor) and end at 6:30. Tickets to the children’s service include childcare afterwards. Member children who are NOT staying for childcare may attend this service at no charge.
7 p.m.: Doors open for adult services at 6:30 p.m. Services begin promptly at 7 p.m. Evening services last about two and a half hours. A holiday Kiddush will follow.

Thursday, Sept. 9, Services begin 9:30 a.m. Registration for morning services opens at 8:45 a.m. and services begin promptly at 9:30. Children 8-12 are invited to participate in “Torah Quest,” from 9:30-11:30 a.m., an exciting interactive storytelling activity grounded in Torah principles. Cost is $18 per member child/$20 per guest child. Younger children’s services begin promptly at 10 a.m. and end at 11. Adult services will end at approximately 2 p.m. (bring a snack if you think you’ll get hungry). Please send your child with lunch, snack and drink and comfortable shoes for walking.

• 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Services in the Mountains at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center: FULL. No space left.

• Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur Services:
Friday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.: Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and services will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Services will last about two and a half hours. There will be no special children's service on Friday evening, but childcare will be available for pre-registered children under age 13.
Saturday, Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. Yom Kippur morning, doors will open at 8:45 a.m. and services will begin promptly at 9:30. Children 9-13 are invited to participate in a “Torah Quest” adventure 9:30-11:30 a.m. Cost is $18 per member child/$20 per guest child. Younger children’s services will be from 10 a.m. to 11. All children need to bring lunch, snack and drink and comfortable shoes for walking.

YIZKOR MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT APPROXIMATELY 1 PM.
We will break for approximately 2-3 hours in the mid-afternoon.
We will reconvene at 5 p.m. for a teaching, followed by the Ne’ilah service.
Havdalah and a light break-the-fast nosh will be held at approximately 7:45 p.m.

PREPARING FOR A MIKVAH
Mikvah is a powerful ritual of purification and renewal used by our ancestors for thousands of years. One prepares for entering into "the living waters" by physically stripping off everything that is not our essential selves. We use the mikvah to allow ourselves to be spiritually available for the deep work that the High Holiday season enables. We remove all jewelry, make-up, nail polish, false hair, false teeth, and contact lenses. Then we shower and shampoo, scrubbing every part of our body. You will be directed exactly how to do it and with what intention. Bring towels, fresh underwear, water to drink, and perhaps a bit of fruit or brunch snacks for afterwards, so you don't drive back with low blood sugar. Enjoy this amazing pre-Yom Tov experience and allow it to take you to new spiritual levels!