We offer in-person services with a Zoom option, do-it-yourself resources, traditional services, alternative services, family services, and other High Holy Day experiences!
Scroll down for a description of services and events available this year.
View and download the updated Yom Kippur schedule at a glance
Register for High Holy Day Services
Click Here for the 2023/5784 Memorial Book
(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, Sharon Spivak, and other congregants. 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)
(On second day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) Shorter, musical and contemplative service for seekers, learners or those looking for a change of pace. Prayers in new versions and styles, storytelling and melodies, and new ways of looking at old rituals and words. Led by congregants Laura Hegfield and Liz Macedo and Rabbi Jon. (TBA tent 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 child friendly, intergenerational service, geared towards families with children ages 0-12. All ages are welcome and encouraged to join together as a community. Service is led by Rabbi Elliot Goldberg.
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we gather in the afternoon by the Nashua River for a ceremonial cleansing of our souls by casting seeds into the water, and to hear the Shofar’s sound (Downtown at the Nashua River, by Front Street Boat Launch.)
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 Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, designed for families with children, and all are welcome. (Downtown at the Nashua River, by Front Street Boat Launch)
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! 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Safety and COVID-19
We do not require people to wear masks in the Temple and people are welcome to do so. We have one section of the Sanctuary where several rows are set aside just for people who are wearing masks and want to sit only with others who are.
We do not require any vaccines or boosters to attend our services and events. We do encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated and fully boosted, according to what is available and appropriate for your age and health, as a way to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other transmissible illnesses and of course to reduce your own likelihood of becoming sick.
Out of concern for others and an abundance of caution, we ask that you stay home and join us by Zoom if you have had a known close exposure within the five (5) days before a service. We recognize that this is a more demanding standard than most other places and a great disappointment if you were looking forward to coming. But know that you may be saving the life or health of another person, and hopefully that knowledge will help you find meaning in your prayers even at home.
Coming to the Temple is an affirmation of a covenant you are in with everyone else who is there. You should not come to the Temple if you have any symptoms that could be Covid-19 or any other illness that can be passed to others. Our services and programs are available by Zoom. Again we know this may be a great disappointment, but you will know that you are fulfilling a mitzvah by putting others’ health foremost.
If we do learn of a positive case within five days of any of our services, we will keep them in our prayers for healing and reach out to see what help the community can offer. In such a case we will let people know who were also present at the Temple so they can take whatever steps they need. We will not share the identity of the person without their consent. If we are able to figure out who were the closest contacts (e.g. sitting close by), we will try to reach them.
By coming to the Temple, you are affirming that you are part of a covenant with everyone there at the same time, and you are agreeing to let us know if you do become sick or test positive in the following five (5) days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoom Services
If you or someone you know needs help figuring out how to set up Zoom or how to connect through a good monitor or TV, contact the Temple office or the rabbi and someone will walk you through it.
First and most important – the Zoom links are unique for this year’s High Holy Days! They are not the same as the ones we use during the year on Shabbat and weekdays, and they are also not the same as the links from last year. Keep for reference the e-mail where all the Zoom information is.
Machzorim (prayerbooks/prayer packets) for both the Sanctuary and ReNewYear services are available to pick up at the Temple office or to download or view online through the High Holy Day pages on our website. Come during regular hours, or contact the office or rabbi to arrange a time or if you need something brought to you.
For the Sanctuary service, you will need a machzor and you probably want the booklet/supplement which has extra readings, English phonetic transliterations, and other explanations.
For ReNewYear, you will need the booklet we have prepared specially, though you are welcome just to follow along.
We are controlling who has these links primarily to minimize the risk of being “Zoom-bombed” by someone who wants to disrupt our services. If you know someone who wants to participate, please register them or ask them to register. If someone you know would like to participate in our services, we encourage you or them to reach out to us so we can welcome them, and we encourage people to make a small contribution in appreciation of offerings.