By Marci Barnes, Director of Congregational Learning

At this time in our Jewish calendar, we return to traditions of the past and create new ones as we experience growth in our lives. These touchstones and changes affect all of our senses – a beautiful experience as we head into the Fall season.

Tasting foods we love, smelling the change in the air outside, holding prayerbooks and Judaic objects of significance, visiting with our friends and family and hearing traditional prayers, melodies, and blessings all remind us of the familiar. 

As we grow physically, emotionally and collectively as people, we also evolve and change. This year, 5787, is no different. In the coming days, new guests may share our tables as we mourn those who cannot be with us. We may attend the services that bring comfort and spirituality or try something at a new time or different space. 

Our children are back at school, yet they have new teachers, new classmates and their own new sense of wonder. Hopefully, we can all find that at the High Holy Days.

I like to think of the Jewish calendar as a spiral, kind of like a spring or Slinky toy standing upright. We keep going around the same circle, year after year, but each time around, the experience is elevated and changes in some way. It is comforting and exciting at the same time. What will the new year hold? Can we repent for what has happened and how will we behave better? Who will play a significant role in our lives this year?

Personally, I am thrilled to be observing the High Holy Days in Richmond and at Temple Beth-El this year. A year ago, I never would have imagined that this is where my life would take me. But for so many reasons and with so many signs of encouragement along the way, I know this new role in this new town is “bashert”, meant to be. I imagine I will, again, have apples and honey and say “Avinu Malkeinu.”

I can’t wait to hear the shofar, say prayers and sing the songs that I love. But this year, I will sit at new tables, pray next to new friends and discover the traditions that my new home has to offer. I love the spiral of the Jewish Calendar and look forward to sharing it and rediscovering it with all of you.

This year, most of Temple Beth-El’s High Holiday programming will again be at our beautiful Grove Avenue campus. Once again, Ramona Brand and Susan Greenbaum will have a special place in our observances on both the first day of Rosh HaShana, Saturday, September 12, 2026, and on Yom Kippur, Monday, September 22, 2026.

Due to the way the Jewish calendar falls this year, most of the Sundays in September are also “Chaggim” -  days that involve specific observances, similar to Shabbat. So that we can all observe and celebrate in the same building, we will be having “Sunday” school at Grove Avenue on Sukkot, Sunday, September 27, and on Simchat Torah, Sunday, October 4. Both days will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude when we join the congregation in the main sanctuary to participate in traditional celebratory experiences as one large Beth-El Family.

For all events at the High Holy Days and throughout the year, participants with children are free to transition between main services in the Sanctuary, children’s programming and family rooms or babysitting as needed.

New this year, please notice that the recommended ages and times for our Family programming does overlap in some cases. This has been designed to allow each family to choose the most appropriate space for their particular worship - familiar and new.

For complete Family Friendly High Holiday events and details on a special Tashlikh at Dep Run Park, see the flyers below.

For a complete list of holiday events at Temple Beth-El, please check out our website at www.bethelrichmond.com or reach out to Marci Barnes, Director of Congregational Learning at m.barnes@bethelrichmond.org.