We hold Family Days in our Sinai School for each holiday throughout the year and together, we bring the rhythm and meaning of the Jewish calendar into our personal and communal lives.
As always, Temple Sinai welcomes all members and guests to our High Holy Day services and events. This year there are no tickets, “seats,” or nametags to reserve and our services and events are completely FREE, although we do gratefully accept freewill donations.
*Please note: by the decision of the Board of Trustees, we will set aside the first few rows during the High Holidays for mask-only seating. Masks are encouraged everywhere else but not required. Expand the “Masking Policy” section below for complete details.
Join us for in-person services at Temple Sinai. The Tashlich service will be held in person at Wingfield Park, and the Kever Avot service will be held in person at the Hebrew Cemetery as indicated below. If the service is indoors, please please follow our masking policy as stated below. In addition, all of our indoor services at Temple Sinai will be livestreamed online. To watch our livestreamed services visit our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
To make a donation for the High Holy Days, to submit memorial names for our Yizkor service, and for more information about the High Holy Days this year at Temple Sinai, just expand the collapsible sections below.
*Masked seating is required upfront and encouraged elsewhere.
Selichot
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
*7:30 pm Leil Selichot Program (in the Sanctuary; a properly worn mask will be required to attend this service)
Erev Rosh HaShanah
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2
*7:30 pm Evening Service
Rosh HaShanah א
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
*10:00 am Morning Service
4:30 pm Tot Rosh HaShanah, 0-8yrs In-person service on the bridge over the river at Wingfield Park; EVERYONE WELCOME.
5:00 pm Tashlich Service In-person service on the bridge over the river at Wingfield Park; EVERYONE WELCOME.
Rosh HaShanah ב
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
*10:00 am Morning Service
Shabbat Shuvah
ALSO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
*7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Memorial Havdalah
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
*7:30 pm Quiet Meditation
*7:45 pm Havdalah Service
Kever Avot
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
2:00 pm Hebrew Cemetery Community Memorial Service In-person service at the Hebrew Cemetery of Reno; EVERYONE WELCOME.
Erev Yom Kippur
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
7:30 pm *Kol Nidrei Service
Yom Kippur
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
*10:00 am Morning Service
Afternoon Self-Guided Offerings (Different offerings to choose from. Expand the “Yom Kippur Self-Guided Offerings” section below for full details and links to resources.)
*4-4:30 pm Tot Yom Kippur, 0-8yrs In-person service at Temple Sinai
*5:00 – 7:30 pm Afternoon Services The afternoon Torah, Yizkor, and N’ilah services all run back-to-back and begin immediately as the preceding service ends.)
Break-the-Fast Immediately after N’ilah, we will break our fasts together in the Social Hall. Sign up to bring something at SinaiReno.org/BreakTheFast.
To have the names of departed loved ones read during Yizkor on Yom Kippur, a memorial card must be completed NO LATER THAN THE END OF ROSH HASHANAH. Even if you have submitted Yizkor names in years past, you must submit them again each year.
Your support during the High Holy Days is essential for our synagogue to thrive. Your generous donation helps ensure the continuity of our vibrant community, enabling us to offer meaningful religious services, educational programs, and acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Donate for the High Holy Days online with your credit today.
Not able to attend our High Holiday Services in person?
Local Temple Sinai members are welcome to borrow a copy of Mishkan HaNefesh, the Reform Judaism machzor (prayer book) that we will use during our High Holy Day services this year. Click the button below to fill out our loan reservation form and reserve your copy (limit 4 sets per household, please).
Orders placed no later than Friday, September 22nd can even be delivered to your home by our Jewish Practice Committee if you need them delivered. Orders placed AFTER September 22nd must be picked up in person at the Temple office only. All borrowed copies of the prayer book sets must be returned to the Temple office ASAP after the High Holidays are over.
If you are a non-member guest, or would just like to have a copy of your own to keep, hard copies of Mishkan HaNefesh can be purchased online here starting at $46 and digital Kindle copies of Mishkan HaNefesh can be purchased and downloaded here for only about $20.
Selichot (singular, s’licha) are prayers or liturgical poems that inspire teshuva (repentance). As a kind of High Holy Days “warm-up,” Selichot services are traditionally held at midnight on the Saturday night prior to Rosh HaShanah, except when Erev Rosh HaShanah falls on a Sunday. Join us for a special in-person and livestreaming evening of study, prayer, meditation, and reflection. Program details are in the flyer above.
Rosh HaShanah Day Saturday, September 16 at 5:30 pm
Tashlich is the ritual for the symbolic casting off of sins. On the first day of Rosh HaShanah, we toss breadcrumbs into a body of running water. We reflect on our actions, our mistakes, and on letting go, inspired by the words of the prophet, Micah: “Adonai will take us back in love; Adonai will cover up our iniquities. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (7:19)
This year, we will have an in-person service at 5:30 pm on Rosh HaShanah day on the bridge over the river at Wingfield Park; EVERYONE WELCOME. Click the button below to download a copy of the Tashlich service booklet.
Community Memorial Service Sunday, September 17 at 3:00 pm
It is traditional to visit the graves of our loved ones between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Join us for an in-person, outdoor service at the Hebrew Cemetery of Reno. Everyone is welcome to this in-person outdoor service. Click the button to download a copy of the Kever Avot service booklet.
By the official policy of the Washoe County School District, there should not be a problem with your child(ren) missing school for the Jewish High Holy Days. They are also to be allowed to make up exams or other work. Should you experience any difficulty with your child(ren)’s school or teacher(s), contact the Temple office at 747-5508 or the Washoe Country School Superintendent. (Similar policies and procedures should be in place in other school districts as well.) So bring your students to Temple Sinai on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur!
We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our synagogue community during our indoor services. Our policy regarding mask-wearing reflects this commitment:
Masked-Required Seating: We are designating the front 25% of rows in our indoor service venue for masked-required seating, ensuring that those who prefer or need to wear masks have a dedicated space. The specific number of rows will be determined based on the seating arrangement for each event.
Honors Participation: For services with designated mask-required seating, individuals aged 5 years and above participating in honors on the bimah are kindly requested to wear masks.
Shabbat Services: Our approach to Shabbat services strikes a balance. During the last Shabbat service each month, masks will be required, creating a safer atmosphere. For the remaining Shabbat services, mask-wearing is optional, allowing individuals to choose what is most comfortable for them. There will be no reserved rows for mask-wearing during these services.
Threshold for Full Masking: The health and well-being of our community remain paramount. If the combined COVID, flu, or any other notable aerosol infectious disease-related hospitalization rate in Washoe County exceeds 8 hospitalizations per 100,000, we will transition to masks-required for all indoor services.
Duration of Full Masking: Once the aforementioned threshold is reached, masks will be required at all indoor services until 6 weeks after the hospitalization rate drops below 8 per 100,000.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure the safety and comfort of all our members. Your support is essential in maintaining a welcoming and secure environment for worship and communal engagement.