High Holy Day Guide to Services

Temple Sinai cherishes inclusion and diversity. We are a “Family of Families.” The services for the High Holy Days offer spiritual experiences for children of all ages, congregants who want to experience the high points of the holidays and those who want a full traditional experience. We also to ensure that congregants with various disabilities have access to any of our offerings. 

Online worship is unique. In place of a two-hour service in the sanctuary and rushing to finish one service before the next, our main services will be in two sections. Sections are scheduled for one hour or less. We will have a Musical Meditation as a spiritual interlude when a service is divided into two parts. 

You can participate in some or all the services and service sections to create your personal High Holy Days experience. (Yes, you can think of it as “Choose Your Own Spiritual Journey/Adventure.”) 

Below are ways congregants might experience Rosh HaShanah:

• We are a family with children. There will be Tot & Sensory Service and a Family Service for children in different age groups. The shofar will be blown at each service.
• I need a sensory friendly service. We will offer the Tot & Sensory Service at 8:30 AM on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur for those who prefer a more informal service focused on experiencing the High Holy Days with all their senses. I find the special music of our prayers and shofar calls most meaningful. The 10 AM section of the main service will have the morning prayers and the first set of shofar calls.
• My highlights are the Torah Service and hearing the Shofar on Rosh HaShanah. The 11:15 AM section of the main service will have the Torah reading, sermon, and blowing of the shofar.
• I am looking for the spirituality of the entire Rosh HaShanah morning service. There are two options. 1) Join us for the 10 AM and 11:15 AM service sections, which will include an opening meditation, the morning prayers, musical meditation, Torah service, sermon, shofar, and  concluding prayers. 2) Join us at 9:30 AM with Blessings of the Morning followed by the 10 AM and 11:15 AM service sections. 
• I enjoy music of the High Holy Days. We will have a one-hour Music of the High Holy Days program. You will be able to access this at any time on our YouTube channel.

You mean I can pick and choose? Yes! Similar to a day-long family Thanksgiving celebration, we share the meal together, but during the day we will visit with different siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We have arranged Rosh HaShanah with one evening service and multiple options for the day-time services. We are a Family of Families so come visit when it’s the right time for you!

And what about Yom Kippur? You will see that we have used the same plan for Yom Kippur. We will include the Beit Midrash, Mincha/Afternoon Service, Yizkor, and N’ilah/Closing Service.

How do I watch services? Visit our website at www.TempleSinaiPGH.org and click on “Watch High Holy Day Services.” You will be taken to a page with the Live Stream and Zoom links for each service. You can also watch a video recording of a previous service on our YouTube page. The services will be listed by date and name. Click on the one you want to view. (More details will be available closer to the date.)

What if I do not have a computer or other device to watch services? Contact Drew Barkley for assistance.

Questions? If you have any questions about the High Holy Day services, contact one of our clergy or staff listed below.

• Rabbi Darryl Crystal, Interim Senior Rabbi; RabbiCrystal@TempleSinaiPGH.org; (412) 421-9715 ext. 119
• Rabbi Keren Gorban, Associate Rabbi; RabbiGorban@TempleSinaiPGH.org; (412) 421-9715 ext. 117
• Cantor Laura Berman; CantorBerman@TempleSinaiPGH.org; (412) 421-9715 ext. 112 
• Drew Barkley, Executive Director; Drew@TempleSinaiPGH.org; (412) 421-9715 ext. 111
• Judy Rulin Mahan, Clergy Team Chief of Staff; Judy@TempleSinaiPGH.org; (412) 421-9715 ext. 110
• Tech Support will be available to help you. Details coming soon!