Tishrei Partnership -- An invitation to be part of our community
during the holiest season of the Jewish year

This year Beit Ahavah is open to all for the High Holidays in Tishrei Parnership.  If you are not  currently  a member of the Beit Ahavah community, becoming a Tishrei Partner in Beit Ahavah means celebrating all the Holydays in the month of Tishrei (including High Holydays) and worshiping within our community for the season.

The Tishrei Partnership is a way of experiencing a Reform Jewish community for the first time or returning to one at the most important time for the Jewish community. We want this opportunity to offer Jewish practice that is comfortable for all streams of Jewish backgrounds and beliefs, both in this upcoming season and throughout the year. As a Tishrei Partner of Beit Ahavah, you are invited to participate in all High Holyday adult services the High Holydays Family Services, the festive Onegs (food) that follow worship, the Yom Kippor Community Break-fast, the Selichot celebration, the Open Sukkah celebrations in the homes of Beit Ahavah members, our Simchat Torah celebration and the Shabbat services in the month of Tishrei. During this partnership period, we also offer you the opportunity to meet with, learn from, and get to know Rabbi Riqi Kosovske.

What if I attend High Holydays services in Tishrei Partnership and then I want to join?

We welcome new members during Tishrei and throughout the year.  Membership in Beit Ahavah is a gift to you and/or your family and is a meaningful commitment to sustaining and nurturing Beit Ahavah and Reform Judaism.  Being a member of Beit Ahavah is a affiliation with each other, with your spiritual self and with our Rabbi.   Full-year Membership provides:

• Rabbinic involvement with life cycle events, pastoral support and counseling;
• Youth and family involvement in education through our Beit Ahavah Community School, early childhood programs (Tot Shabbat and Shalosh-Arba-Chamesh!), family-centered B'nei Mitzvah program, and Shevet Teen Youth Group and J-TOV (Jewish Teens Of the Valley) collaboration;
• Spiritually nourishing prayer, meditation and Torah-study experiences;
• Adult focused cultural activities and engaging learning opportunities;
• Opportunities for tikkun olam – fixing the world through social and environmental justice programs as part of our new Tzedek Tzedek Initiative incorporating Jewish values, learning and ethical teachings.
• Contributing to the growth of the Pioneer Valley Jewish community and the development of the Reform Movement;
• An opportunity to explore Judaism in a welcoming environment where everyone is equal and all spiritual traditions are honored.  We welcome interfaith families, non-Jewish partners, GLBT people, all streams of Jewish backgrounds. And, we are multi-generational.
  

We welcome all to join our community.  Please contact our office at 413.587.3770 or contact our membership committee chair directly, BethAnn Albro-Fischer 413.586.1225 or  albro.fisher@gmail.com.  We will credit any donation for Tishrei Partnership to the membership fees of anyone who joins at any point during the year.

Do I need tickets to attend High Holyday services?

We prefer to use the word ‘invitation’ rather than ‘tickets’.   We are happy to send you invitations to High Holidays.  Invitations can be handled at the door, but our preference is to arrange this in advance so we can welcome you on the High Holydays.  Please contact the office for an invitation to High Holidays 413. 587.3770 or fill out the Tishrei Partnership form and we will send the invitation to High Holidays in the mail.

Is Beit Ahavah charging for Tishrei Partnership or High Holydays invitations?

No.  However we would appreciate a donation.  We ask for donations in order to keep our unique, welcoming and accomplished young synagogue in existence and enable it to grow and retain our rabbinic leadership and dynamic presence in the region. We also are deeply committed to being the tent with open flaps that welcomes all and embraces all kinds of participation.

What is the recommended donation of Tishrei Partnership?

All donations are greatly appreciated, however the following recommended donation is what we need to flourish as a community all year long so that we can be here for all, especially in the month of Tishrei.

Any donation for Tishrei Partnership can be applied to Beit Ahavah Membership for anyone
who would like to join following the month of Tishrei.

How do I join Tishrei Partnership?

Please fill out the Tishrei Partnership Request Form and send to the Beit Ahavah office before August 30, 2010. Please note that each holyday includes evening and morning services, as well as a children’s service. For partnership requested after August 30, 2010, we will hold your High Holidays Tishrei Partnership information at the door during the High Holidays. Donations can be handeled at the door, but our preference is to make arrangements in advance, in order to limit the exchange of money on the High Holydays.

What if I attend High Holydays services in Tishrei Partnership and then I want to join?

We will credit the cost of Tishrei Partnership to the membership fees of anyone who joins at any point during the year.

High Holyday Schedule

Printable schedule of events in the month of Tishrei including the High Holidays:
High Holydays Schedule Flyer (pdf)

Slichot Service   

Saturday, September 24, 8:30 p.m.
Service led by the Rabbis of Beit Ahavah, Congregation B'nai Israel & JCA *

Rosh Hashanah

Sunday, September 18, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Back to School Apple-picking Chavaya Rosh Hashanah Outing

Wednesday, September 28,6:30 p.m.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Evening Service *

Thursday, September 29, 9:30 a.m.
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service*
- Rosh Hashanah Family Service led by Anna Sobel: 9:15 a.m.
- Teen Discussion: 11:00 a.m. – noon
Tashlich: 3:00 p.m. at Mill River, 60 Federal Street Entrance, Northampton

Yom Kippur

Friday, October 7, 6:30 p.m.
Kol Nidre Evening Service *

Saturday,  October 8, 9:30 a.m.
Yom Kippur Morning Service *
- Family Serviceled by Anna Sobel: 9:15 a.m.
- Teen Discussion: 11:00 a.m. – noon
Our Interfaith Experiences: a discussion and spiritual text study: 3:00 p.m.
The Story of Jonah led by storyteller Robert Harris: 3:45 p.m.
Afternoon Service incorporating our Personal Spiritual Journeys: 4:30 p.m. 
Yizkor Memorial Service: 5:30 p.m.
Ne’ilah Closing Service: 6:00 p.m.
Havdalah & Community Break-fast: 7:00 p.m.

Sukkot

Sunday, October 9
Beit Ahavah Sukkah Building led by Kenny Hahn and Sheldon Snodgrass.

October 12-19
Open Sukkahs & services scheduled in Beit Ahavah members’ sukkot.
A week of ecology, celebration, good food and friendship!

For more details or to volunteer your home for an Open Sukkah Night call the office at 587-3770.

Simchat Torah & Kabbalat Shabbat   

Friday, October 21, 7:30 p.m
Teen led service of renewal and dancing with the Torahs