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High Holy Days 2025/5786

High Holy Days 2025/5786

 

Dear Or Shalom family,

 
We're so excited to share with you all of the details for our upcoming High Holy Days at Or Shalom! As we roll out of summer - whether we're bringing kids back to school, going back into our rhythms, or just noticing the daylight turning to dark a little earlier each day - it's time for us to get ready to gather as a community and begin another new year together. The High Holy Days offer us a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and renew, so we can make the most of what this next year can become.
 
During our time of reflection and turning, we are reminded that our community is a place where all are welcome, whether you are new to our Or Shalom family or have been journeying together with us for years. With all we are facing as Jewish people in today's world, our High Holy Days offer us the chance to find strength in one another, in our traditions, and in our values. We also give our hearts the chance to experience that all-important reminder we need from time to time: We are not in this alone. Together, we create a space where tradition meets the present, and where our shared experiences strengthen our bonds.
 
This year, to accommodate our growing community, we will hold two shifts for many of our services. We’re also excited to utilize new spaces within our building for casual gatherings, providing more opportunities to connect and share in the spirit of the holidays. Also, we are thrilled to be able to help the future of the Jewish people by working with Erika Purdy Patrick, a Hebrew school teacher in our community who is studying to become a rabbi. She will serve as our rabbinic intern, joining us on the bima for parts of our services and gaining experience in leading a community.
 
Our team of clergy is deep in the process of crafting services to help us find inspiration and hope; our choir is actively practicing the music that brings so much beauty to our holidays; our staff and volunteers are preparing all that we can to make this a warm, welcoming space for all to enter. Please read on to learn how we can be a part of this special time of meaning-making together with our Or Shalom family. 
 
Wishing you a New Year filled with health, happiness, and profound meaning. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
 
Rabbi Ari Margolis
Cantor Laurie Akers
Rabbi Sarah Rosenbaum Jones
 

 
 PLEASE NOTE:
 
The late shift on Rosh Hashanah begins at 12:30pm, and the late shift on Yom Kippur begins at 12:15pm.
 
The family service on Rosh Hashanah begins at 2:45pm, and the family service on Yom Kippur begins at 2:30pm.
 
The choir will be performing at both early and late services this year on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
 
If our Kol Nidre service on Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30pm reaches capacity, we will split the service into two sections and notify registrants with our updated schedule.
TICKETING
 
 
 
Access to High Holy Day ticket reservations is now open to all member households! Members and their children (ages 25 and under) are entitled to request tickets as part of membership. Members may also reserve guest tickets ($180/adult and free for ages 12 and under). To reserve reciprocity guest tickets, please call our office at 847-362-1948.
 
Please renew your membership for 2025-2026 to access the High Holy Day ticket reservation form. If you haven't yet renewed your membership, please do so HERE. For any questions, please call the office at 847-362-1948.
 
Please reserve your tickets as soon as possible, as capacity limitations apply to all service shifts. Registration opens to the general public starting on Wednesday, September 3. Livestream-only tickets are available with no capacity limitations (suggested minimum donation of $180 for member guests).
 
One week before Rosh Hashanah, you will receive an email from SimpleTix with your scannable ticket(s). You may print them or present them on your phone upon arrival.
 
All members will receive the High Holy Days streaming link before Rosh Hashanah. The link will be available for all services, even if you only signed up for in-person.
 
Thank you for your continued support of Or Shalom!
 
Please log into your ShulCloud user account to access the ticket reservation form. If you need us to resend your login information or have any questions, please call the office at 847-362-1948.
 
 
Access to non-member High Holy Day ticket registration is available starting on Wednesday, September 3. If you only wish to register for any/all of our free services (indicated in the service schedule above), click HERE.
 
 
In-person tickets for non-member adults are available at $395/person (free for ages 12 and under), and livestream-only tickets are available for a suggested minimum donation of $180.
 
 
When will I receive my tickets?
You will receive an email from SimpleTix Orders (orders@simpletix.com) with the subject line "[EXTERNAL SENDER] High Holy Days 2025/5786 [order number]" the week before High Holy Days with your scannable ticket(s). Before entering Or Shalom for any High Holy Days service, please present your ticket (either printed or on your phone) for that service at the door for us to scan.
 
What if I submit my registration within a week of High Holy Days?
If you submit your registration one week or less before the start of High Holy Days, you may receive your tickets via email the day before Rosh Hashanah (Tuesday, September 22). Anyone wishing to register on Tuesday, September 22 or later should call the office at 847-362-1948.
 
What if I need help printing my ticket(s)?
Please email Shari or call the office at 847-362-1948.
 
How do I make changes to my existing registration?
Please email Claire or call the office at 847-362-1948.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 
We are fortunate to be part of a congregational community that steps up in service and support for each other, helping to make the sacred possible. We invite members ages 16 and up to offer your gifts of kindness and presence by volunteering this High Holy Day season. Volunteers may reserve seats at their preferred shift(s).
 
 
Please log into your ShulCloud user account to view this page.
If you need us to resend your login information or have any questions, please call the office at 847-362-1948.
 
There will be multiple opportunities for families with children to participate in High Holy Day worship together this year:
 
Our Family Services will be offered on Rosh Hashanah at 2:45pm and on Yom Kippur at 2:30pm. This service is intended for families with children in Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Together, as a community of school-aged families, we will experience the kavanah (intention) and meaning of the High Holy Day liturgy through song, mindful moments, sharing, and a skit from our clergy players!

Our Young Children's Services will be offered on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at 9:00am and are intended for families with children ages 0-5. Young Children's services are open to the community, and registration is free of charge. Join us to sing, dance, and experience the rhythm of the High Holy Days with our young children’s community! This is a high-energy service that will bring the themes of the holiday season to life for our youngest pray-ers.
 
Please register for Family Services and Young Children's Services through the ticket registration link(s) that apply to you.
 
General parking for all services will be available at Hawthorn Middle School North. Overflow parking will also be available in the Rust-Oleum parking lot (northwest corner of Hawthorn and Lakeview Pkwy) for Erev Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur services only.
 
All spaces in Or Shalom’s parking lot will be reserved for accessible parking only. Please refer to the next section below for more details.

ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS FOR SEATING & PARKING

 
We will be happy to accommodate requests for accessible parking and accessible seating in the sanctuary. Please note in your registration form any accommodations you may need.
 
A hearing loop is available in the building.
 
All spaces in Or Shalom’s parking lot will be reserved for accessible parking only, which you may request in your registration form. Or Shalom will provide you with placard or pass that must be shown or visible to the parking volunteers upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding.
 

If you have any other questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact Shari April.

SECURITY

Vernon Hills police officers and Or Shalom security guards will be on-site during all High Holy Day events. They will be stationed at the front and back entrances to the synagogue, as well as walking the building. Their presence is funded by your security fee contributions.
 
After registering for High Holy Days, you will receive an email from SimpleTix with your scannable ticket(s). Before entering Or Shalom for any High Holy Days service, please present your ticket (either printed or on your phone) for that service at the door for us to scan.
 
Entrance for services will be through the front (main) doors of our building. Exiting will be through the back doors.
 
All bags are subject to random search.

PRAYER BOOKS

Mishkan Hanefesh is the prayer book used by Or Shalom for the High Holy Days services. Please bring your own copy of Mishkan Hanefesh with you to all services you attend in person.
 
If you need to purchase a set, you can do so on the CCAR website. You can also download a kindle e-book version if you prefer a digital copy.
 
We will have a limited number of prayer books available for loan.

CHILDCARE

Or Shalom offers supervised programming for children ages 2–9 during early services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For the comfort of the children, please be sure they are accustomed to being separated from their parents.
 
To ensure that we have space and supervision in place, please make your reservations via the service registration form by Monday, September 15.

YIZKOR MEMORIAL BOOK

Adding your loved one's name to our 2025 Yizkor Memorial Book is a beautiful and meaningful way to remember departed loved ones. Printed copies of the Memorial Book will be available during the Yom Kippur Yizkor service.
 
Submissions are due by Monday, September 15.
 
 
We will again be supporting The Ark’s Yom Kippur Food Drive! The Ark's food pantry distributes certified kosher food, household essentials, and personal care items to members of the Jewish community in greater Chicagoland.
 
To participate, just pick up a paper bag at our Rosh Hashanah services and return it full of items to donate to those in need at our Yom Kippur services.
 
All food donations must be certified kosher and have six months before expiration. For a pantry shopping list, please click HERE.
 
If you plan to celebrate Sukkot at home in your own sukkah and would like to have a lulav and etrog set, you can purchase them through Or Shalom! Each set ($51 each) includes an etrog, lulav, myrtle, willows, and a lulav bag. Sets will be available for pick-up at Or Shalom prior to Sukkot. The last day to order is Monday, September 15.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shari April.
 
 
Fri, September 12 2025 19 Elul 5785