Days of Awe: FAQ

UPSTAIRS FAQ

• Do I need to wear a Kippah or a Tallis?

• I notice that the person next to me isn’t wearing a tallis and/or kippah and it’s really bothering me. Can I remind them to wear one?

• I want to be at services, but I can’t focus for five (plus) hours. Can I bring a book?

• My neighbor is flipping furiously through the pages. Can I help them find their place?

• Why is everyone wearing white on Yom Kippur...do I have to wear white?!

DOWNSTAIRS FAQ

• Can I leave my kids downstairs and then go back upstairs?

• What if I need a break? Can I hang out downstairs and talk to my friends?

• Can my kids eat?

• My kids are bored and a little rambunctious. Is it cool if they just run around and scream?

UPSTAIRS FAQ

Do I need to wear a Kippah or a Tallis?

Kippot or yarmulkes are the head coverings you’ll see people wearing and a tallis is the prayer shawl. If you’re comfortable wearing either or both, wear them! If you have questions, ask one of the ushers. If you want to experiment and try wearing one, try it! If it’s not for you, or not for you right now, don’t worry about it. We do ask that people who are coming up on the bima (stage) for Torah honors wear a tallis and kippah out of respect for the Torah.

I noticed that the person next to me isn't wearing a tallis and/or kippah and it's really bothering me. Can I remind them to wear one?

No, please don’t. Focus on how you can best get your heart right with the Holy One and let your neighbor worry about how he or she can best get their heart right with the Holy One.

I want to be at services, but I can't focus for five (plus) hours.  Can I bring a book?

Great idea - some Jewish books that might be good for the season are This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation and These Are the Words: A Vocabulary of Jewish Spiritual Life. But please leave the electronics - phones, kindles, ipads, etc - at home, and if people big and small can refrain from writing during the upstairs service, that would be appreciated.

My neighbor is flipping furiously through the pages. Can I help them find their place?

Absolutely - a good rule of thumb when it comes to giving direction to a fellow congregant is to ask if you are helping them get where they want to be or where you think they should be. If it’s the former, please help; if it’s the latter, please don’t.

 Why is everyone wearing white on Yom Kippur...do I have to wear white?! 

It is customary (but certainly not required) to wear white on Yom Kippur. White represents a purity and holiness on a day of repentance, like that of angels. White can also be a symbol of equality, in that we are all equal in the eyes of Hashem, as all Jews are buried in a white shroud.  BHA welcomes you in whatever color feels good to you, and we want you to feel included and comfortable when you see many people dressed in white.

DOWNSTAIRS FAQ

Can I leave my kids downstairs and then go back upstairs?

Well, it depends. When we offer our Family Service and children's programming (ages 2-11), we ask that they be accompanied by one of their grown ups at all times. That doesn't mean you cannot take part in the davvening upstairs, but one grown-up must remain with their children. When we don’t have structured programs, please stay with your children to supervise them. Generally we offer Family Services on Rosh Hashana Day 1 and Yom Kippur.

What if I need a break? Can I hang out downstairs and talk to my friends?

We would really rather you didn’t. Noise travels easily upstairs from the downstairs areas. If you need to take a break, please take it outside our very small building.

Can my kids eat?

Yes. we’ve got snacks for the kids on Rosh Hashana and for kids, even on Yom Kippur. Please don’t bring any outside food into BHA unless you are sure you understand our food policy.

My kids are bored and a little rambunctious.  Is it cool if they just run around and scream?

Ummm.... no.