WELCOMING: wandering Jews • wondering Jews • those of Jewish heritage • non-Jews • multiracial relationships • families • interfaith relationships • couples • adult children of interfaith families • Jews by choice • people of color • singles • LGBTQIA folks
Jewish Gateways Open High Holiday Services 2022 • 5783
Details and Registration
All are welcome!
Jewish Gateways services are engaging and inclusive, in both English and Hebrew. Join us in person outdoors beneath an open tent with COVID precautions*, or watch our services streamed live online.
Leadership
Services are led by Rabbi Bridget Wynne, with warmth, creativity, and honesty, Rabbi Stephanie Kennedy, with joy, humility, and humor, and musician Joel Siegel, with his love of enabling people to connect through music.
We use a prayer book we have created that helps bring to life the themes of the services: reflection on the year ending and the new one beginning, repairing relationships, making changes, living our values, forgiveness, and more.
Get a preview of the music that is an important part of Jewish Gateways High Holiday services.
Location
In-person services meet outdoors in and around a big tent in the back yard of the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCCEB).
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley
Support for the Services
Jewish Gateways High Holiday services are "ticketless" and are supported entirely by tax-deductible donations from those who attend.
They are not funded by the Jewish Community Center, foundations, or major donors.
Therefore, we suggest a contribution of $60 per adult for each evening or day on which you join us.
The suggested amount for each family service is $35/family.
We know that some cannot give these amounts, while others can give more. Please consider making as generous a tax-deductible gift as you can.
Donations are especially important this year. Our expenses, which include facilities, materials, and our dedicated staff, are higher than in previous years because we are providing both in-person and virtual options for participation.
We look forward to welcoming you, your family, and your friends!
Parking
Information about and downloadable signs are available for street parking.
Rosh Hashanah Schedule
Sunday, September 25, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah • Evening Service for the New Year
Monday, September 26
Rosh Hashanah Day • New Year Day
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9:00 - 9:45 am: Rosh Hashanah Family Service for children under 9 and their families
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10:15 am - 12:00 pm: Hands-on holiday activities for children of all ages
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10:30 am - 12:00 pm: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
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1:15 pm: Picnic (bring your own) & Tashlich (ritual to toss away regrets), Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
"Both Rabbi Bridget and the musician were so genuine and I felt more authentically guided than I have ever felt before. Many heartfelt thanks. Poetry, music, and words were extraordinary."
"The family service was perfect for my kids. I like the openness, the message, the great music."
"Appreciated openness to interfaith families, LGBT, people of color, people with complicated relationships with their Judaism."
"I felt I understood what I was praying about for the first time and could personalize it. Thank you!"
"My children found the service 'relaxing, moving, insightful.' I was surprised at their response, and they want to attend more."
"I loved the vitality of the service. I felt it, and was moved. It was inspiring. Thank you!"
Yom Kippur Schedule
Tuesday, October 4, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Erev Yom Kippur • Evening Service for the Day of Atonement
Wednesday, October 5
Yom Kippur Day • Day of Atonement
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9:00 - 9:45 am: Yom Kippur Family Service for children under 9 and their families
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10:15 am - 12:30 pm: Hands-on holiday activities for children of all ages
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10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Yom Kippur Morning Service
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1:00 - 2:30 pm: How Can Jewish Tradition and Community Help Us Through These Challenging Times? Several Jewish Gateways community members will share their experiences, followed by questions and open discussion with them, Rabbi Bridget, and Rabbi Steph.
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4:30 - 5:00 pm: Healing Service
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5:00 - 5:30 pm: Yizkor • Memorial Service
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5:30 - 6:00 pm: Neila • Closing Service
* COVID Safety Protocols
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Everyone attending must be fully vaccinated and boosted.
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We recommend that you test for COVID before attending.
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All those 2 years and over must wear a well-fitting mask unless eating or drinking. Adults must wear an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask/respirator. Children may wear a well-fitting surgical or cloth mask. We will have masks/respirators and surgical masks available for people who do not arrive wearing them.
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If you have tested positive within 10 days or are currently ill, please do NOT attend.
Questions about services, or anything else? Contact Jewish Gateways at 510-519-1028 or by email.