It’s been quite a year for us all.
It will be good to gather and find each other, to reflect and help each other process the year that was and direct ourselves toward the new one.
On the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we offer in-person services and Zoom options; traditional services, alternative services, family services, and conversations; and other High Holy Day experiences. Scroll down for descriptions and links.
If you have not been a part of our community before, we would be honored for you to add your presence and your prayers this year. Everyone is welcome, regardless of prior Jewish familiarity or financial resources. That’s what it means for us to be Beth Abraham, the House of Avraham and Sarah.
View and download updated schedule at a glance
Register for High Holy Day Services
(First day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Menuchat Ha-Lev: Rest for Our Hearts in This Season of Love, Hope and Healing -- meditation led by Laura Hegfield. (Zoom, with a room at the Temple set up for access)
(Both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Traditional prayers and melodies, and a couple melodies led by our Zimria choir. Led by Rabbi Jon, Cantor Stan Juda, and Sharon Spivak. Click on the image for more information, an hour-by-hour overview of the traditional service as well as the melodies we use. (TBA Main Sanctuary or Zoom)
(Both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Gather with other families in the chapel for singing, stories, and rituals for the New Year. This is a family friendly, intergenerational service. All ages are welcome and encouraged to join together as a community. Service is led by Sarit Tsor and Evan Wieder. (Chapel and Zoom)
(First day of Rosh Hashanah) In small groups there will be opportunities to reflect on the year since October 7. Each conversation will have a facilitator and a particular theme, and a Jewish concept or text to help ground us as we talk and listen to each other. (In rooms and spaces around our buildings)
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah after services end, we gather in the by the Nashua River downtown for a ceremonial cleansing of our souls by casting seeds into the water and hearing the Shofar’s sound (Downtown at the Nashua River, by Front Street Boat Launch)
(Second day of Rosh Hashanah) Guest teacher and musical leader Akiko Yonekawa leads a song circle. We will sing melodies and pieces from the services, explore their meanings, and consider how to incorporate them into our personal prayer practice and teshuvah work.
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah we gather by a river to hear the shofar, sing songs and throw seeds into the river to be carried away. This is a short program led by Rabbi Jon and Sarit Tsor, designed for families with children, and all are welcome. (Mine Falls Park, Nashua, Stadium Street entrance)
An explanation of terms and ideas related to the High Holy Days
Our guide for the High Day Season, Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings, and the Machzor (High Holy Day Prayerbook)
Click on the icon to view and download detailed instructions for holding a Tashlich ceremony for yourself and others. Although traditionally we use bread crumbs, you may choose to use birdseed for safer environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About In-Person Services
Beth Abraham has a good-sized parking lot, and if you come within the first 30-60 minutes of services you are likely to get a spot there. You are welcome to park along the side streets in the neighborhood, such as Raymond, Chester, Berkeley, and Wood Streets. Please make sure not to block anyone’s driveway and to respect a distance of 25 feet from any intersection, according to Nashua city regulations. Also please note that some of our services and programs are taking place outside in the tent, so be mindful of making extra noise as you get out of your car.
The Temple doors are locked even during services. We have one entry point, through the main front entrance. Members are given access cards or fobs – please bring yours and use it to enter! If you are not a member or if you don’t have your access card/fob, there is a video doorbell and you’ll be asked for your name.
Anywhere! Beth Abraham has no assigned or pre-arranged seating.
We always save some seats that are easy to get to, by aisles and near the main doors into the Sanctuary. The ushers will be happy to help you. We have wheelchairs available.
Children are welcome in all of our services and activities, all the time through the holy days! In addition, we have family services and activities scheduled – consult the overall schedule.
Absolutely! Children of any age can experience services and be fascinated by many dimensions – the big room, the presence of so many Jews, the sounds of singing, the intangible atmosphere of introspection. Being together with your child or children can be profound for you too.
If you have a child who is making noise or moving around, try sitting toward the back, in case you need to go out and take a break with your child in the Gallery or outside. But a little noise from young people contributes a good energy! Do make sure to supervise your children at all times, whether they are in the service or in the open spaces. During the rabbi’s sermon or Yizkor memorial prayers, we do have an atmosphere of quiet.
Traditionally, there is no writing on Shabbat and holy days. One suggestion is stickers! Manipulative toys that do not make noise are also great.
You can! This might help especially if you want to stay for more than one part of the service or more than one gathering during the day. We will also have snacks available.
We are a kosher facility, so you can bring:
Foods baked in your home may not be brought in (even the rabbi’s family abides by this rule).
On Yom Kippur, you can bring snacks for children too young to fast, and if you need a little food or water for medical reasons, you should bring that too – just step to a little less crowded area when you eat. If you have a question, or if you have special dietary needs that are hard to meet this way, ask Rabbi Jon ahead of time and we will work out something together to meet your needs.
We ask those who identify as male to wear a kippah on the head, whether you are Jewish or not. We encourage but do not require those who identify differently to do so as well. If you are a Jewish adult and identify as male we ask that you wear a tallit, and we encourage any Jewish adult to wear a tallit. We have both tallitot and kippot available for people to wear.
We observe the holy days by the traditional rules for Shabbat and festivals, which help us create an atmosphere of mutual connection, joy, and reflection. Cellphones, cameras, and electronic devices are not used in the synagogue. If your work or a responsibility for someone else requires you to be reachable, please set your device to vibrate, turn it off as soon as you perceive a call, and then walk outside the building or to an isolated corner somewhere to pick up a message or return a call.
Yes, you certainly can come and go during services! There are certain times when it is not appropriate to leave – usually when the congregation is standing. You are welcome to be in the Gallery, which is our big open foyer. Many people like to schmooze while services are going on.
We ask that you be mindful of the fact that even quiet conversations carry toward the prayer spaces, even when the doors are closed. So keep conversations quiet inside the building, and if you are talking find a place that is far from the Sanctuary.
Yes! In fact you will find a cart in the Gallery with a lot of Jewish books curated by Rabbi Jon to read instead of or in addition to the prayerbook. And absolutely bring any book, magazine, or printed material that you think will help you focus, as long as it is printed and not electronic and as long as any images are appropriate for those around you.
If you feel sick with symptoms associated with Covid-19 or another infection illness, you should stay home and get any medical attention you need, and let us know if there is some way we can help you with needs during your illness. If you have been closely exposed to someone who is sick with such an illness within the previous few days, you should also stay home. We have many opportunities to connect with our services on Zoom, and while we know it’s not the same you can know you’ll be fulfilling the mitzvah of V’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha, loving your neighbor as yourself. We currently have two rows at the front set aside just for people wearing masks.
We are asking everyone not to use perfumes or other items that have a fragrance, because many members of our community have sensitivities to them and experience moderate to severe symptoms when exposed. We can’t guarantee a fragrance-free environment but ask everyone to do your part, again in the spirit of the mitzvah of V’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha, loving our neighbor as ourselves.