Rosh Hashanah
Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and (repentance). It begins the ten days of Yamim Nora-im (“Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”), culminating with Yom Kippur (the “Day of Atonement”). Observed worldwide with synagogue services and home rituals, the holiday emphasizes reviewing the past year and committing to growth in the year ahead.
Falling on the first day of the Hebrew month of , which corresponds to September or October, customs associated with the holiday include sounding the , sharing round , and eating apples with honey to represent a sweet New Year.
New Board - 2026-2027
Executive Board
| President | Linda Szalay |
| Vice President | Ed Frost |
| Secretary | Suzan Herskowitz |
| Treasurer | Doug Green |
| Assistant Treasurer | Aaron Pifer |
| Past President | Bonnie Flax |
At-Large Directors
| Herb Sorkin |
| Bruce Flax |
| Angie Hausman |
| Bryan Korneich |
| Paul McVinney |
| Howard Sevel |
| Heather Lipscomb |
High Holidays Schedule of Services
| Erev Rosh Hashanah | Friday, Sept. 11 | 8-9:45 pm | Beth El |
| Rosh Hashanah | Sat. Sept 12 | 10-12:30 pm | Beth El |
| Tashlich | Sat. Sept 12 | 2:30-3 pm | Sarah’s Grove, SU |
| Family Services | Sat. Sept 12 | 3:30-4 pm | Beth El |
| Memorial Service | Sun, Sept 13 | 2-2:30 pm | Gardens of Beth El |
| Erev Shabbat | Friday, Sept 18 | 7:30-8:30 pm | Beth El |
| Kol Nidre | Sun. Sept 20 | 8-10 pm | Beth El |
| Yom Kippur | Mon. Sept 21 | 10-12:30 pm | Beth El |
| Family Service | Mon. Sept 21 | 3-3:45 pm | Beth El |
| Afternoon Service | Mon. Sept 21 | 4 pm | Beth El |
| Yizkor | Mon. Sept 21 | 5 pm | Beth El |
| Neilah | Mon. Sept 21 | 6-6:45 pm | Beth El |
Beth El Congregation Welcomes Cantor Julie Simon!
We are honored that Julie Simon will be joining Beth El Congregation as the High Holy Day Cantor!
Ms. Simon has been a Cantorial Soloist for several synagogues in the Philadelphia area for over a decade, including Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA and Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood, PA. Ms. Simon was the soprano section leader at Main Line Reform Temple for nearly twenty years and has served as a choral ringer and soloist with St. John’s Anglican in Southampton, PA. Drawing from the rich resources of the Philadelphia area,
Ms. Simon has collaborated with wonderful clergy and music directors who have both shaped her as a musician and spiritual communicator. In the studio, Transcontinental Music and PHIA records have utilized her versatility as a singer and composer in both Jewish and Gospel genres where she has recorded both as a solo and choral artist.
Sacred music is near and dear to Cantor Simon as she believes the main purpose of music is to comfort and uplift people.
Outside of her musical pursuits, Ms. Simon is an early childhood educator and passionate about cat rescue. She has cared for hundreds of cats and kittens through the organization Spay and Save. In her spare time, Ms. Simon enjoys exploring new places and spending time with family.
Beth El Congregation Members: HHD tickets are included with paid membership. University Students: (i.e., Shenandoah University) no charge to attend, but they need to let us know to expect them, and they will need their student photo ID.
Beth El Members who need extra tickets for family/guests: $100 each ($200 maximum per family)
Non-Beth El member tickets: $200 per person. ($400 max – this amount allows two adults and/or a family to attend) This price also applies to conversion students. The price for non-Beth El member tickets is for the entire “season” (both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), regardless of how many or how few services are attended.
Non-member HHD ticket reciprocity per URJ Policy: Beth El is a URJ member Synagogue. Therefore, members of any REFORM synagogue can obtain HHD seating at no charge, with a completed form (which we will provide upon request).
*Reciprocity is for Reform synagogue members only, and does not apply to individuals from Conservative, Orthodox, or Reconstructionist temples.
Please send payment by check made out to “Beth El Congregation” and include “HHD seating” in the memo line. While checks are preferred, we can accept payments through PayPal. [In PayPal, click on Send and Request. Enter treasurer@bethelcongregation.org. Enter the amount. Be sure to note what the payment is for before sending.]
Contact the Beth El office (540-667-1889) with any questions.
** ticket price discounting given consideration for financial need **
Our Relay for Life team
Community Seder - April 13, RSVP by April 7
