Last year, as the pandemic forced the Jewish community to celebrate the High Holidays differently, members were certain that this year, they would be able to go to temple or synagogue and pray the usual way. But the resurgence in COVID-19 cases and the rise of the Delta variant has many people on edge, and local congregations are adapting to make sure they offer safe High Holiday services.
At Congregation Beth Torah, the phrase most used to describe this year’s services is “multiaccess,” according to Director of Member Engagement Aviva Symons.
“All of our High Holy Day services will be offered virtually and physically at Beth Torah,” she said.
The virtual services will be accessible both through Beth Torah’s Facebook page and its website.
In person, Beth Torah will only be at 20% capacity and require its guests to register in advance and wear masks.
As the Delta variant became more concerning, the Beth Torah board convened. The decision-making process, Symons said, required the board to pivot away from having a greater number of in-person attendees at the scheduled High Holiday services.
All services at Beth Torah will be fully indoors except tashlich.
Beth Torah also gave Rosh Hashanah gifts to its 350 member households. More than 40 volunteers assembled and delivered gifts to members across Kansas City. The gifts included apple chips, honey sticks, Shabbat and yahrzeit candles, and a Hershey’s kiss instead of a real kiss.
“There are so many people who make it happen in many different ways,” Symons said. “It’s a team effort, for sure.”
At Ohev Sholom, services will be completely virtual, with no in-person attendance.
“Our worship committee met and were unanimous in recommending, ‘Let’s just go ahead and go on Zoom – we’ve done it before and we know how to work and implement it,” said Larry Gordon, Ohev Sholom congregation president.
Last year’s High Holiday services also were held virtually. The services’ lengths were modified to prevent internet fatigue.
“The idea was brought up to the [Ohev Sholom] board of directors, and the board was almost overwhelmingly for going on Zoom because of the concerns that the Delta variant had become more critical,” Gordon said.
Ushers will constantly monitor the Zoom services and provide technical support.
Members will be asked to drive by the Ohev Sholom parking lot prior to the High Holidays to pick up their machzorim and a gift bag with yahrzeit candles, honey sticks, apples, a wooden bowl, tashlich information and birdseed (to use in place of bread during tashlich).
Rabbi Beryl Padorr and David Friedman will be onsite during the pickup, blowing the shofar from the hill outside Ohev Sholom’s main entrance.
Editor’s note: The following information was current at the time of publication. Please confirm virtual/in-person access with your synagogue before making plans. This is not a comprehensive list. Tashlich information may be different from the rest of the services.
Congregation Beth Israel, Abraham & Voliner
BIAV will be having in-person services. Those who are not vaccinated must always be masked while in the building, including children younger than 12. Those who are vaccinated are strongly urged to wear masks, but are not required to do so.
Congregation Beth Shalom
Services at Congregation Beth Shalom will be both in person and livestreamed on its website. Registration is requested for both in-person and virtual attendance.
Congregation Kol Ami
Kol Ami services will be in person and livestreamed. In-person services will take place at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required. Livestreams will be on YouTube.
Kehilath Israel Synagogue
Services at K.I. will be in person. Congregants must wear masks, including children. Attendees must make arrangements with the office ahead of the Holidays so their names can be on the admittance list, and they can get a ticket and a parking pass.
Pre-Rosh Hashanah and pre-Yom Kippur, K.I. will offer Zoom services and shofar blowing.
Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation
LJCC services will take place on Zoom.
The New Reform Temple
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at The New Reform Temple will now be online only, streamed on NRT's website. Attendees of in-person services must wear masks and provide a photo ID and proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated people, including children 11 years old and younger, may not attend in-person services. RSVPs for all services are requested.
The Shul - Chabad of Leawood
Services at Chabad of Leawood will be in person. Limited, socially distanced seats will be available, and no walk-ins will be allowed. Masks will be required. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, there will be a short outdoor service including shofar blowing.
“Spiritual seats” will be available for reservation. By reserving, the Chazzan will include the person’s name in the prayers, and the person will support Chabad.
Temple Beth Sholom (Topeka)
Temple Beth Sholom services will be pre-recorded and available online. Children’s services will be live over Zoom.
The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah
B’nai Jehudah’s High Holiday services will be completely virtual for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The services will be available on Facebook and Vimeo, and will be archived for later viewing.
Temple Israel
Temple Israel services will be both in person and livestreamed. Attendees of in-person services must wear masks and social distance.
By Sam Kricsfeld,
Editor
