High Holy Days 5784 (2023)
Planning on joining us virtually this year? Download this year’s new High Holy Days prayer book: Netivot Teshuvah – Paths of Repentance.
Join Us In-Person or Online for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
As we celebrate the Days of Awe together, we will hear the Shofar blast that calls us to connect with our Jewish heritage and with our ancient traditions. More than any other time, the High Holy Days are a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends, both old and new, and to share with each other our hopes and aspirations for the future.
On this page:
- Schedule of Services & Events
- How to Watch Online
- Solel’s New Prayer Book for the High Holy Days
- About Our Services & Programs
- Resources for Observing the High Holidays at Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
We are holding our services in-person this year. Those attending can choose whether or not they wish to wear a mask for their own safety. We will continue to live stream all our services for those who won’t be coming to Solel for services in-person. If you are not a Solel member, but are interested in attending High Holy Days services at Solel, please contact the Solel office to make arrangements.
New this year: no paper tickets – This year we’re trying something new. Instead of issuing members and guests paper tickets, we’re giving each service attendee (ages 12 and up) a lanyard with a name badge. Other shuls have used this technique to help members get to know each other and we’re trying it out this year.
High Holy Days Schedule
Selichot
Saturday
6:30pm
9:00pm
Community Dinner and Selichot Program
Selichot Service
Rosh Hashanah
Friday
8:00pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Saturday
10:00am
Rosh Hashanah Morning Regular Service
Sunday
10:00am
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 L’dor V’dor Multi-Generational Service
followed by Tashlich + Family Barbecue
Shabbat Shuva
Friday
8:00pm
Erev Shabbat Shuva Service
Saturday
10:00am
Shabbat Shuva Service
Yom Kippur
Sunday
8:00pm
Erev Yom Kippur – Kol Nidrei Service
Monday
10:00am
1:30pm
3:00pm
4:00pm
5:00pm
Regular Yom Kippur Service
Yom Kippur Mincha Service & personal reflections
Ella’s Walk In person / outdoors at Solel
Family Yom Kippur Service
Martyrology / Yizkor / Ne’ilah / Havdalah
How to Watch Online
Here’s how you can watch Solel’s High Holy Days services via our live stream if you don’t plan to attend in-person.
SolelTV
Watch live and on-demand any time at solel.ca/live or subscribe to Solel’s YouTube channel.
Our New High Holy Days Prayerbooks
This year we will be praying our new liturgy that we began developing in 2020 rather than using our traditional machzor, Gates of Repentance. This year, for the first time, we have assembled all of our new liturgy into a single volume: Netivot Teshuvah – Paths of Repentance. This is the first full edition of our new machzor and we are excited to share it with you this year. We will have copies to use for everyone who attends in-person. If you will be attending via live stream, we have a limited number of copies that you can pick up from Solel. You can also download your own soft copies on our High Holy Days Downloads page.
Solel’s High Holy Day Services & Programs
Regular Service
In the usual style of Solel’s services, with music, prayers in both Hebrew and English, and thoughtful reflections from our Rabbi.
Family Service
A shorter service geared to younger Solelniks and their parents and grandparents, with participatory worship and storytelling.
For 2023, because Rosh Hashanah falls on a Saturday this year, we thought we would try something special and have all of our all-ages activities on the second day of Rosh Hashanah: which falls on a Sunday. In addition to our intergenerational Rosh Hashanah service, we will have our family-favourite Tashlich walk and follow that up with a family barbecue back at Solel!
L’dor V’dor
Inter-Generational Service
A simplified service geared to Solelniks of all ages, held on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Features prayer and music.
For 2023: the second day of Rosh Hashanah falls on a Sunday this year, so we thought we’d try something special! All of our all-ages activities will be held on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. In addition to our intergenerational Rosh Hashanah service, we’ll have our family-favourite Tashlich walk and follow that up with a family barbecue back at Solel!
Tashlich
A wonderful, centuries-old ritual in which we symbolically cast off our sins. Fun for adults and children alike. We traditionally observe Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 immediately following the Family Service to make it more convenient for families of all ages to participate. For 2023, because Rosh Hashanah falls on a weekend, we’re going to observe Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah Day 2 instead. Join us right after our L’dor V’dor Intergenerational Service for Tashlich followed by a family barbecue back at Solel!
Yom Kippur Mincha and Personal Reflections
For those who wish to stay at the synagogue all day on Yom Kippur, there will be a variety of opportunities in the early afternoon, including a short Mincha worship service, plus opportunities for personal reflection, conversation and fellowship.
Ella’s Walk
A one hour guided stroll outdoors. Participants share thoughtful readings based on the themes of the High Holy Days.
Martyrology
Yizkor
We remember those who have gone before us, including especially those who have been persecuted for their faith. With special memorial prayers and thoughtful readings.
Ne’ilah
The concluding service of Yom Kippur during which it is said that the Gates of Repentance close. We hear the blast of the Shofar once more.
Resources for Observing the High Holidays at Home
We have some more resources to help you have a meaningful and fun High Holidays. Download these documents to help you prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:
- Preparing Your Own Home Sanctuary – A helpful guide for preparing the space in your own home where you will participating in our High Holy Day service live streams. Make the occasion more special and meaningful by preparing your home and yourself for the spiritual power of the High Holy Days.
- High Holy Day Scavenger Hunt – Have some fun learning about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by looking for the things on this scavenger hunt worksheet. Share your results with your Solel friends on Facebook or Instagram or email them to Rabbi Pollack and Arliene Botnick to show us how you did!
- Do It Yourself Tashlich – Courtesy of Rabbi Robin Nafshi, here’s a helpful guide to participating in the age-old tradition of Tashlich – the symbolic banishment of our sins.
- A Prayer for One Who Cannot Fast on Yom Kippur – This meditation may be recited by anyone who – for whatever personal reason – is unable to fast in the traditional way.
- Are You a Young Jewish Adult living away from your home synagogue and looking for a place to celebrate the High Holy Days? Solel Congregation of Mississauga is a partner with Synagogue Connect which offers free access to Jewish young adults for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Visit them at www.synagogueconnect.org and search for a synagogue near you. Of course, you’re also welcome to participate in Solel’s virtual High Holy Day services and programs from wherever you are!
High Holy Days – Frequently Asked Questions
When do we wear a Tallit?
A Tallit is normally worn at morning services only. The exception is Yom Kippur Evening, for two reasons. First, it’s a way to acknowledge the special holiness of this day. Second, in earlier times it was a custom to come to synagogue on Erev Yom Kippur and to stay throughout the night and next day to the conclusion of Ne’ilah; thus worshippers would bring their Tallit that evening. We aren’t planning such a marathon, but it’s still appropriate to wear the Tallit on Erev Yom Kippur.
Why do the Torah scrolls have white mantles?
White represents purity, which we seek for our souls during the Days of Awe. It is also appropriate to wear white clothing during this time, including a white Kippah if you wish.
How do I decide whether or not to fast on Yom Kippur?
From the age of 13 onward, it is a mitzvah to fast from sunset to sunset. Children approaching this age might try to fast for as long as they can manage. If fasting would make you ill, or if you are taking medication that requires food, Jewish law rules that you should not fast.
Why do we have group aliyot at this time?
It is our way of honouring the many Solelniks who devote their time and effort to our congregation all year long. Therefore, we have a group Aliya for members of our Bet Sefer Solel teaching staff, for the officers of our Board of Directors, for committee members, for the ushers who serve our congregation all year, and for grandparents and great-grandparents.
Why is the High Holy Day prayer book called a Machzor?
The word “Machzor” means a returning cycle, referring to the cycle of seasons that we celebrate each year. The High Holy Days are a time to take stock of our deeds over the past year and, with God’s help, to plan the next chapter in our Book of Life. It is also a time to celebrate the vital role that community plays in our lives. Surrounded by fellow Solelniks now and throughout the year, we never need to feel alone.
Find out more about the High Holy Days and get great tips for food and family fun at ReformJudaism.org.
