High Holydays 2025 ~ 5786
Welcome to High Holydays with Beit Ahavah
עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא
Eitz Chayim Hee – We are all part of the Tree of Life
in-person or with Zoom livestream. 
Additional resources and volunteer sign-up sheets are found below.
REGISTRATION is required (for in-person or virtual).
Your generous High Holyday contributions of all sizes are deeply appreciated so that Beit Ahavah can be sustained. New this year will be Sponsorship opportunities to enhance our holidays for everyone. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Zoom links and notes are sent with confirmation of registration.
Holiday Resources, Yizkor Names, Luncheon, Break-Fast Sign-Ups, Volunteering, Holy Shlepping, Giving, Mitzvot & Other Good Stuff. . .
Rosh Hashanah FAMILY SERVICE with Anna Sobel, Tues, Sept 23, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Yom Kippur FAMILY SERVICE with Anna Sobel: Tues, Oct. 1, begins at 9:30 a.m.
High Holyday Giving
The holidays and an engaged and relevant synagogue like ours costs a lot to run, even on a cautious but creative budget. We cannot thrive without you. An orchard relies on all things gathering together — like our categories of apple, basket, honey-comb, honey made by the bees, pomegranate, fig tree, Tree of Life, the Book of Life… We need all of your financial gifts to sustain us exist this year and beyond.
Beit Ahavah’s meaningful gatherings and events are open to all, but we can offer this because of every donation is a gift and heart-investment from each community member, guest or friend who makes it possible. Thank you now for your generous investment.
GIFTS OF THE HEART ~ The Contribute Button here
Service Details
Mutli-access Services are planned: Holidays Services will be primarily held indoors in the beautiful Sanctuary; some events, childcare, discussions and meals will use the beautiful outdoor backyard (weather dependent) under the shade of the historic pines. A Zoom livestream (“Zanctuary“) is also offered. Zoom and livestream links will be emailed after registration. All services are a labor of LOVE ~ “AHAVAH.” Everyone is equally welcome and encouraged to make as meaningful a donation as you are able. There is no waiting list, standing room only or prioritizing members — we will be one welcoming community like our ancestors.
Family and Youth Services, Teen discussions and the Apples & Honey childcare space are available during services. All ages of youth are always welcome and encouraged in main services with their adults or to sit with their friends!
COVID Safety: Masks are optional but encouraged. Due to a surge in Covid cases, we ask that you please take a home Covid test before services if you are able. Extra tests will be available at the temple. The Rabbah and musicians do not usually wear a mask while leading. If you are feeling sick please stay home, feel better and join us virtually. Thank you for your support in keeping everyone healthy!
Please click to REGISTER for Beit Ahavah High Holydays Services
ROSH HASHANAH
Monday evening, Sept 22, 2025 – 1 Tishrei 5786
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Evening Service led by Rabbah Riqi Kosovske with HHD Singers.
Apples & Honey Oneg reception to follow, with round challahs, apples & honey varieties to sample and other symbolic new year foods.
Tuesday, Sept 23, 2025 – 1 Tishrei 5786
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Morning Service led by Rabbah Riqi Kosovske with our harmonious celestrial singers.
9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Rosh Hashhanah Family Service led by Anna Sobel.
12:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Kiddush Luncheon celebration – all welcome (sign up sheet here for bringing vegetarian dishes)
3:00 p.m. Tashlich service led by Rabbah Riqi at the Mill River, 60 Federal Street, Florence. Shofars, good dogs/pets, all ages welcome.
YOM KIPPUR
Tues evening, Sept 30, 2025 – 10 Tishrei 5785
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kol Nidrei Evening Service in the Sanctuary. Kol Nidrei will be chanted by musical community members, and played on strings by musicains in our area.
Weds, October 1, 2024 – 10 Tishrei 5785
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Yom Kippur Morning Service led by Rabbah Riqi Kosovske & our Singers, with participation by community members through poetry, sharing and Torah service.
9:30 a.m. Family Service: World renowned puppeteer Jewish educator Anna Sobel, especially for kids ages 0-13 and their parents and friends.
~11:15 a.m. Teen Discussion announced during Torah service
Afternoon Break with optional discussions from 1:30-4:00 p.m.:
1:30 p.m. Nature Walk led by Community members
2:15 p.m. (TBA)
3:15 p.m. Tshuvah Listening Circle
4:00 p.m. (TBA)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Afternoon Healing Service with Personal Spiritual Journeys
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Yizkor Memorial Service with Names recited and video.
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ne’ilah Closing the Gates Service, Shofars & Havdalah
7:30 p.m. Break Fast Catered, with Potluck Sides/ Desserts – Sign-Up here for additional Dessert Celebration (all welcome).
Kids Stuff:
Jewish Holidays for kids are like a true “festival” where youth and families can be part of everything, plus things especially geared to them.
Families, kids, babies and all are WELCOME in Beit Ahavah’s main High Holydays Services (evening and morning) led by Rabbah Riqi Kosovske with Singers, in the Sanctuary and wherever services occur, also live-streamed to Zoom.
The Apples & Honey Kids Tent/Room & Childcare (crafts, games, childcare) will be near the playground or indoors, run by staff and teens.
Family Services at 9:30 a.m. on RH and on YK — are led on Rosh Hashanah by renowned Jewish educator-puppeteer Anna Sobel with puppets, songs, drumming, movement, and prayers.
The start time sometimes overlaps with the other services — so that families are welcome to come in and out and enjoy both experiences (Rabbah Riqi fondly remembers being in both kid services and adult services, soaring in the music, as a child and she encourages it!).
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We are so excited to have you join us as we welcome in this new year! Unless otherwise notified, all services are scheduled to be held both in-person outdoors in the beautiful backyard and/or Sanctuary of Beit Ahavah (130 Pine St, Florence, MA 01062) and livestreamed to Zoom. We will stay current on COVID safety and regulations if anything needs to change.
As always, everyone is truly welcome, and contributions – gifts of the heart – are strongly encouraged for our High Holyday services – we believe spiritual experiences should be accessible for all. However, for those who are able to give to help support Beit Ahavah and the costs of creating High Holyday experiences, we suggest a donation of $180-$360 or higher level if you are able or so moved for this High Holydays season. Thank you for nurturing Beit Ahavah community and these holidays!
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