High Holy Days

We know the holidays can be tough when you have small children. Bethesda Jewish Congregation is offering young families special programming for just $36 per family.

Rosh Hashanah begins with a 1:00 PM Tashlich and lunch at Cabin John Park Picnic Area, followed by a family friendly family service with Rabbi Abbott at 2:30 PM. 

Family services on Yom Kippur begin at 1:30, with the reading of the Book of Jonah at 5 PM. 

Please contact the office at 301 469 8636 with any questions. We can't wait to welcome you! 

High Holy Days at BJC are special and, while observing religious traditions and adhering to customs, are in many ways unique. We begin the Days of Awe with Selichot (Jewish penitential poems and prayers, especially those said in the period leading up to the High Holy Days), generally with entertainment, such as a concert or showing a special movie, followed by a service, and dessert.

Our Rosh Hashanah evening services culminate with a community oneg.

Our members write thought-provoking poems and readings that are shared with the congregation through the Rosh Hashanah morning service. The BJC choir, which rehearses throughout the summer, leads the congregation in song and inspiration.  After our morning service, we meet at a nearby stream for Tashlich, where we cast our sins on the water and have a picnic lunch. You can register for Tashlich here. 

A tradition at BJC is to begin Kol Nidre with the sanctuary lit by candlelight. Several years ago, just as we were about to start our service, our community was enveloped in a blackout. We lit candles and used our cell phones… and thus a tradition was born. 

Our Yom Kippur Morning service is followed by a family service for all ages, then a Yom Kippur discussion with the Rabbi, followed by musical mediations or the chant circle, reading of the Book of Jonah, and then Yizkor and Neilah Services. 

Our members write thought-provoking poems and readings that are shared with the congregation through the service. The BJC choir, which rehearses throughout the summer, leads the congregation in song and inspiration.   

While prayer books are provided for all other services, at the High Holy Days we ask members and guests to bring their own copies of the Machzor (High Holy Days prayer book), "The Gates of Repentance." Copies are available for purchase here, and we have some that can be lent. Contact the office at 301-469-8636 or admin@bethesdajewish.org.

Members in good standing receive tickets for the High Holy Days. Nonmembers are most welcome. 

General Yizkor Book information can be found here.

2022 Yizkor Book information can be found here.