Hub
Shivim Panim—70 Faces
High Holy Day Theme for 5786
Seventy, in Jewish tradition, is a number of completeness and transformation. As we mark this milestone, we honour our founders’ dreams by continuing to dream. We remember that the psalmist teaches:שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה— Seventy years—may feel like exile, but they also mark the moment of return, of renewal, of tikvah—hope.
This is our moment of return—not to what was, but to who we are meant to be. As we celebrate 70 years together, let’s continue to write the next chapter—with courage, with compassion and with the conviction that the best is yet to come.
Your High Holy Day Info Hub
You Must Be a Member to Attend High Holy Day Services
Renew Today!
• Renew/pay your membership HERE.
• Become a Generations member HERE.
• Renew your Generations member HERE.
Yom Kippur High Holy Day Ticket Pick-Up:
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Klara Romm at 416-781-3514, ext. 220 or kromm@beth-tzedec.org.
High Holy Day Services
Sanctuary Service
Join Rabbi Steve Wernick, Cantor
Chaim Stern and choir director
Asher Farber with the High Holy
Day Choir and Rabbi Lara Rodin for
our spectacular and inspiring High
Holy Day services with excellent
Chazzanut, choral singing and
teaching. Congregational Torah and
Haftarah readers participate in the
Torah Service.
The Shofar Service and initial blasts
begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Cantor Stern and the choir will
commence when the Torah Service
begins. This Service is offered for both in-person participation and livestream viewing.
Rosh Hashanah - September 23 & 24
8:30 a.m. to ~1:15 pm
Kol Nidrei - October 1
6:45 to ~9:30 p.m. — Doors open 5:45 p.m.
Yom Kippur - October 2
9:00 a.m. to ~2:30 p.m. — Doors open 8:15 a.m.
Mezzanine Service
Join Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin,
Cantor Sidney Ezer and Ritual
Director Lorne Hanick for this
inspiring and participatory service.
The warm atmosphere and emphasis
on singing will help every member
engage with the liturgy as we celebrate
the chagim. This Service is offered for in-person participation only.
Rosh Hashanah - September 23 & 24
8:30 a.m. to ~1:15 p.m.
Kol Nidrei - October 1
6:45 to ~9:30 p.m.— Doors open 5:45 p.m.
Yom Kippur - October 2
9:00 a.m. to ~2:45 p.m. — Doors open 8:15 a.m.
Return Again and Again: Meditation
Begin your day with time in silent
reflection, simple repeated melodies
and deep learning. Spiritual Leader
Aviva Chernick will guide us using
the mindfulness tools of returning to
the breath and the body, together
with the teachings of this season, to
awaken our hearts and open the
pathway for the prayers that are
waiting to be spoken. All are welcome.
Previous experience with meditation
is not necessary. This Service is offered for in-person participation only.
Rosh Hashanah - September 23 & 24
9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Yom Kippur - October 12
12:45 pm. to 1:45 p.m. — Doors open 8:15 a.m.
Outdoor Short and Sweet Service
Join Yacov Fruchter, Director of Community Building and Spiritual Engagement, and Spiritual Leader Aviva Chernick for this spirited and welcoming 90-minute Service highlighting essential elements of the liturgy (Machzor), and combining familiar melodies and meaningful takeaways in an approachable way. This Service is offered for both in-person participation and livestream viewing.
Rosh Hashanah - September 23 & 24
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Kol Nidrei - October 1
6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.— Doors open 5:45 p.m.
Yom Kippur - October 2
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Doors open 8:15 a.m.
Family Service
This 90-minute service is lively and
lots of fun. Join Daniel Silverman,
Director of Education & Program
Development, and Cantor Audrey
Klein, Director of Family & Young
Adult Engagement, for stories and
songs to delight the family. These
Services are in the Hendeles Chapel
and offered in-person only.
Rosh Hashanah - September 23 & 24
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Kol Nidrei - October 1
6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.— Doors open 5:45 p.m.
Yom Kippur - October 2
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Doors open 8:15 a.m.
Yom Kippur Mincha Service
Join us in the Sanctuary for our
Mincha Service with a Torah reading
and a reading of the Book of Jonah. This Service is offered for both in-person participation and livestream viewing, and is open to Jewish community.
Yom Kippur evening - October 2
4:40 to 6:10 p.m.
Neilah, Ma'ariv and Shofar Blowing
Join members of our Spiritual
Leadership in the Sanctuary as we
conclude the High Holy Days with
this beautiful and inspiring service in
which we imagine the Gates of
Heaven closing and offer our final
plea for redemption and life.
Neilah will be followed by Ma’ariv,
Havdalah and the final shofar
blowing. You are encouraged to
bring your shofar
If joining us via our livestream feed,
for Havdalah, we suggest that you
turn off the lights and turn on a glow
stick. Then grab your shofar and
sound the final blast with us. This Service is offered for both in-person participation and livestream viewing, and is open to Jewish community.
Yom Kippur evening - October 2
6:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Mazal Tov, Beth Tzedec. Here’s to 70 years—and to building for 70 more.
Family and Child Opportunities
It can be challenging to fully immerse yourself in the High Holy Day spirit when you have little ones needing attention and engagement. Beth Tzedec offers many opportunities for families and children of all ages during our Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur services...and for Sukkot!
Camp Hi Ho
for children up to age 14
Rosh Hashanah: September 23 & 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Kol Nidrei: October 1* from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur: October 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Welcome to Camp HiHo—our new High Holy Day children’s experience at Beth Tzedec!
While you are in Services, your camper will be participating in developmentally appropriate explorations around the themes and messages of the holidays. Games, singing, acting, escape room challenges, physical play, guided mindfulness exercises snacks and more await at Camp Hi Ho! more info>>
Tefillah and Tales
for kids in pre-school, JK and SK with their families
Rosh Hashanah: September 23 & 24 from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.
Yom Kippur: October 2 from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.
A joyful 30-minute holiday adventure for little ones—with songs, prayers, stories and shofar blasts!
Short & Sweet Multi-Generational Family Service and Sukkah Hop
Sukkot Day 1: Tuesday, October 7
Service 10:30 a.m. | Lunch and Sukkah Hop following
Shake the lulav and etrog (bring your own or use ours), pray, sing and have lots of fun on Yom Tov! After services, we’ll have lunch in stages as we visit sukkot in the neighbourhood. (In the case of rain, lunch will be at Beth Tzedec). There is no charge but pre-registration is requested. To register, click HERE.
20s & 30s and Adult Opportunities
Enhance and enrich your High Holy Day experience at our special programs on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Hot Topics: Yizkor and the Power of Mourning in Community
with Yacov Fruchter, Adam Goodman and Ellen Babbin
Yom Kippur: Thursday, October 2
12:45 to 1:30 p.m.
Immediately following the Yizkor service, Beth Tzedec’s spiritual leader Yacov Fruchter will be in conversation with Adam Goodman and Ellen Babbin, exploring the sacred role of mourning within Jewish community. Together, they will reflect on how Jewish tradition helps us hold memory, honor loved ones, and find strength in ritual, story, and the embrace of community.
This session will be both learning and practice, infusing Torah, memory, and lived experience into an exploration of what it means to grieve and to heal together.
Hot Topics: Imagining the Next 70 Years
with Rabbi Steven Wernick
Yom Kippur: Thursday, October 2
3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Wernick for an intergenerational panel as we imagine the next 70 years together. What role does Beth Tzedec play in our personal lives and in the Toronto Jewish community—and what should that role be as we look to the future? This dialogue will celebrate our past while dreaming forward, inviting every voice into the vision of what comes next.
High Holy Day Programs and Events
20s & 30s Souped Up Sukkah
with Moishe House Christie
Saturday, October 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Moishe House Christie and BT 20s & 30s are teaming up to bring you a soup-ed up Sukkot celebration! Join us for hearty soup and drinks in a beautiful Sukkah—the perfect way to warm up on a fall evening and meet others in our community. more info>>
Family Simchat Torah Faire Pageant and Celebration
Tuesday, October 14 from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Celebrate the merriment of Torah and all the pageantry of the holiday at our Family Simchat Torah Faire! Come dressed in a costume or design a hat based on something found in Torah.
Join us for the Torah-related festivities with activities and games, joyous hakafot (aka Torah parades) in the Hendeles Chapel and a light, dairy dinner (pre-registration required). You are then welcome and encouraged to stay for Ma’ariv (evening service) and the Congregation-wide hakafot and dancing beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Community Hakafot Celebration
Tuesday, October 14 beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Come hug a Torah! Join us in person at Beth Tzedec to celebrate as a community at our Simẖat Torah party with a Hakafot and dancing!
- Candy Bar
- Dessert spread
- For all ages
- Open bar for ages 19+
- Dress code: Torah dancing casual
Pre-registration is not required; Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate with us! This service will be live-streamed via bethtzedec.tv.
Simchat Torah Service and Lunch,
honouring Dr. Gary Elman and Debbie Rothstein
Wednesday, October 15
Services 9:00 a.m. | Luncheon following
Join us at our Simchat Torah Services where we will honour our Chattan Torah Dr. Gary Elman and our Kallat Bereisheet Debbie Rothstein. Following an uplifting Service, we’ll gather for a delicious luncheon where we can celebrate with the Elman and Rothstein families. Pre-registration is required. more info>>
