Covid, Ida affect High Holy Days in the Deep South

The 5782 United Synagogue calendar features Barry Ivker and the 2020 Temple Beth-El Rosh Hashanah Prayer Walk at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on its cover.

The Covid resurgence with the highly-contagious Delta variant has thrown High Holiday plans into disarray once again. Some congregations have cancelled in-person services, others have set strict limits on attendance, and non-Orthodox congregations have set up virtual options, much like last year.

Here is the listing of services, with information current as of Sept. 2. Some congregations had not released their schedules yet. Check with individual congregations to determine if plans have changed. For those using Zoom, contact the congregations to get the service links.

Many congregations are now requiring those entering the building to be fully vaccinated, and requiring masks regardless of vaccination status.

Rabbi David Gerber from Gates of Prayer in Metairie reminds that though it is great to see everyone at services, “if you are concerned about your health it is not only ok to stay home, it is a mitzvah.”

In New Orleans, Rosh Hashanah has been disrupted by the power outages following Hurricane Ida. The current plans for the congregations in New Orleans, many of whom are holding virtual services from other cities, are here. There is also a service planned in Houston for New Orleans evacuees.

Rosh Hashanah starts the evening of Sept. 6 and continues on Sept. 7, and on Sept. 8 for those that observe two days. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sept. 15 and continues through the day on Sept. 16.

Alabama

Temple Beth-El in Anniston will hold High Holy Day services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. On Yom Kippur, afternoon services will be at 4 p.m., with Yizkor and Neilah at 5 p.m. A break-the-fast will follow, reservations are due by Sept. 10. Guest reservations for the meal are $20.

Bais Ariel Chabad in Birmingham is holding masked and distanced services in an outdoor tent rather than indoors as previously announced, and outdoor shofar services. Reservations are requested because of limited space. Masks are requested regardless of vaccination status. An outdoor shofar service will be at 9 a.m. both days, followed by the regular service at 9:30 a.m., babysitting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Sept. 7 there will be a luncheon. Mincha and Tashlich will be at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7. There will be a family-friendly shofar blowing in Chabad’s backyard on Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Kol Nidre will be 6:30 p.m., with babysitting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Yom Kippur services start at 10 a.m., babysitting available until 2 p.m. Yizkor will be at noon, followed by musaf. Mincha starts at 5:15 p.m., and there will be Havdalah and a break-fast to go at 7:45 p.m.

Knesseth Israel in Birmingham is holding dinners on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 7 at 7:45 p.m., and the second night of Sukkot, Sept. 21. Reservations are $18, with a family maximum of $54. Services will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 6, 9 a.m. on Sept. 7 and 8, with shofar and Musaf at 11 a.m. and a lunch following. Maariv on Sept. 7 is at 7:25 p.m., followed by dinner. Kol Nidre will be at 6:30 p.m. Morning services will start at 9 a.m., with Yizkor and Musaf at 11:30 a.m., Mincha at 5:30 p.m. and Neilah at 6:30 p.m., followed by a communal break-fast.

At Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El, in-person services in the sanctuary have been limited to those leading the services or receiving Torah honors, for everyone else the services will be virtual only. Masks and vaccines are required for those attending. Registration is also required for alternative service virtual sessions. The Sept. 6 service will be at 6:45 p.m. The traditional Rosh Hashanah services will be at 9 a.m., and conclude by 1 p.m. Numerous alternative services on the theme of “Mind, Body and Spirit” will be available by Zoom, including first-day sessions on the red heifer, stretching body and spirit, soul gymnasium, intentional walking and “mind” session. The walking session is outdoors and in person. Second-day sessions include chanting, “Family, Food and Memories,” and text study. There will be a family service outside the Levite Jewish Community Center on Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m. Last year’s outdoor Rosh Hashanah Prayer Walk experience will be replicated starting at 5 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Japanese Gardens. Tashlich will follow at 6 p.m. Yom Kippur services will be preceded online with “Hallway Channel” for schmoozing, starting on Zoom at 5 p.m. The service starts at 6 p.m. The morning service starts at 9 p.m., with Yizkor at 11 a.m. and a break at 2 p.m. The family service outside the LJCC will be at 2:30 p.m., and services resume in the sanctuary at 5 p.m. There will be a short Ask the Rabbi between Mincha and Neilah. A break-the-fast may happen depending on the medical team’s advice.

At Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El, only vaccinated members will be allowed to attend services, reservations are required and masks are mandatory. For all others, services will be online. Due to Covid restrictions, there will not be babysitting. A contemporary service will be held outdoors and is open to all, with masking enforced. Rosh Hashanah services will be at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 6. The casual contemporary service will be on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. outside the Levite Jewish Community Center. A regular service will be at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Family service and Tashlich will be at 4:30 p.m at Veterans Memorial Park. Kol Nidre on Sept. 15 will be at 7:45 p.m. The family service outside the LJCC will be on Sept. 16 at 9 a.m., and the regular service in the sanctuary will be at 10:30 a.m. Learning sessions will start at 1:30 p.m., followed by the afternoon service at 3 p.m., healing service at 4 p.m. and concluding service at 4:30 p.m.

B’nai Israel in Florence will hold services virtually this year. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., with Yom Kippur afternoon including a 3 p.m. discussion, Yizkor at 4 p.m. and concluding service at 5 p.m.

Chabad of Huntsville will have services at Chabad on Sept. 6 at 7:15 p.m., and at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7 and 8. Babysitting will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A kiddush luncheon will follow the noon Musaf service each day, and there will be a children’s program on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. Shofar in the Park will be on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Big Spring Park gazebo. On Yom Kippur, all services will be at the Homewood Suites downtown, with special rates for overnight guests. There will be a chicken soup meal at 5:30 p.m., with Kol Nidre at 6:30 p.m. Services on Sept. 16 will be at 10 a.m., with Yizkor at noon and a break from 3 to 5 p.m. Mincha starts at 5:15 p.m., and there will be Havdalah and a dairy buffet at 7:40 p.m.

Etz Chayim in Huntsville will have Rosh Hashanah services both days at 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 a.m., with Tashlich at Aldrich Creek Bridge at Weatherly on either Sept. 7 or 8 at 1 p.m. Kol Nidre will be at 6:30 p.m., then morning services will start at 9:45 a.m. Mincha will be at 5 p.m., followed by a break-the-fast.

Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville will hold services in person, by reservation, and online. Services are at 8 p.m. and 10 a.m., with family services at 9 a.m. On Sept. 7 there will be Tashlich at Big Spring Park at 1 p.m. On Yom Kippur, the afternoon service is 3 p.m., Yizkor at 4:30 p.m. and Neilah at 5:30 p.m.

Ahavas Chesed in Mobile will have its services on YouTube, no in-person services. Photos of members are requested so they can be placed in the sanctuary seats. Services on Sept. 6 will be at 7 p.m., morning services both days will start at 10 a.m. On Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre will be at 7 p.m. and the morning service will be at 10 a.m. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a healing service, combined with Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem in Montgomery. Mincha will follow at 5:30 p.m.

Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile will have services on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m., and Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. Tashlich will be at 4 p.m., at Bayfront Park in Daphne. Yom Kippur will follow the same schedule, adding a musical interlude at 3 p.m., followed by Yizkor and Neilah. The congregation is requiring vaccination and masking for all those attending in person, otherwise, the services will be available on Zoom..

Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem in Montgomery will have services at 6 p.m. and 9:30 a.m., in person and online. On Yom Kippur there will be a joint healing service on Zoom with Ahavas Chesed of Mobile at 4:30 p.m. Mincha will be at 6 p.m., and a break-fast will follow.

Temple Beth Or in Montgomery will have in-person Rosh Hashanah services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., and Tashlich at the Montgomery Museum pond at 1 p.m. Gift bags will be provided for each family since there will not be an oneg. Yom Kippur services will be at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. Streaming is not available for Rosh Hashanah, it is anticipated that equipment will be installed in time for Yom Kippur.

Tuscaloosa’s Temple Emanu-El will have virtual services this year, at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. Vaccinations and masks are required of those attending services.

Temple Emanu-El in Tuscaloosa will not hold in-person services. Streaming information will be released soon but was not available at press time.

Chabad at the University of Alabama will hold services, reservations are requested. On Sept. 6, the evening service is 7:15 p.m. followed by Rosh Hashanah dinner at 7:30 p.m. There will be an express shofar service at 11 a.m. on Sept. 7 followed by a kiddush. Evening services will be at 7:45 p.m., followed by a dinner at 8 p.m. On Sept. 8, there will be Shofar on the Quad at 4 p.m. Yom Kippur services will be at 6:45 p.m., then 11 a.m., with Yizkor at 12:30 p.m. Afternoon services will be at 5:30 p.m., and a bagel breakfast follows the end of the holiday at 7:32 p.m.

Florida Panhandle

Emerald Coast Chabad of Destin will have Rosh Hashanah services at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6, and 10 a.m. on Sept. 7 and 8. On Sept. 7 there will be Shofar in the Park at 5:45 p.m., at the Morgan Sports Center pavilion. There will be shofar blowing, prayers and songs, and a holiday dinner. Bring your own blanket. Yom Kippur services will be at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., with a break-the-fast at the end of the day.

Beth Shalom in Fort Walton Beach will hold High Holy Day services at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. On Sept. 7 there will be tashlich at AJ’s on the Bayou at 12:30 p.m. On Sept. 16, Yom Kippur afternoon services will be at 3 p.m., Yizkor at 4:20 p.m. and the concluding service at 5:15 p.m. There will be a potluck break-fast after services.

B’nai Israel in Panama City will have services at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., and there will be a Zoom option. Tashlich will be at 3 p.m. on Sept. 7. On Yom Kippur, there will be a children’s service at 3 p.m., followed by Yizkor and Neilah at 4 p.m. Due to Covid protocols, attendance will be limited and reservations are requested. For non-members there is a $108 suggested donation.

Chabad of Panama City Beach will have services at the Laketown Wharf Resort, Nola Blue Room. Rosh Hashanah services will be at 6:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. both days, with a buffet lunch after the 11:30 a.m. shofar service on Sept. 7.

Chabad of Pensacola will have services on Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. dinner. Services on Sept. 7 will be at 11:30 a.m., and on Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. there will be Shofar By The Bay. On Sept. 15 there will be a pre-fast meal at 5:45 p.m. and Kol Nidre at 6:45 p.m. Morning services on Sept. 16 will be 10 a.m., with Yizkor at noon. Neilah will be at 6:45 p.m., followed by a break-the-fast. Covid protocols will be observed, and reservations are requested.

Temple Beth El of Pensacola will have Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., in person and streaming on the website and Facebook Live. On Sept. 7 at 1:30 p.m. there will be a Zoom discussion of the haftorah, and at 4 p.m. there will be a family service and Tashlich at Bayview Park. On Sept. 16 there will be a Zoom discussion of “Ashamnu” at 1 p.m., and “Memory and Martyrs” at 2:30 p.m. The 4 p.m. family service will be outside Beth El. Yizkor will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by Neilah.

B’nai Israel in Pensacola will have services on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m., and Sept. 7 and 8 at 9:30 a.m. Tashlich will be on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at Bayview Park. Kol Nidre will be on Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Yom Kippur services will be at 9:30 a.m., with Yizkor at 11:15 a.m. Mincha starts at 5 p.m., Neilah and a children’s program at 6 p.m.

Louisiana

Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria started in-person services on Aug. 27, with masks required for everyone, and all those over 12 may be asked for proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within the previous 72 hours. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. There will be an in-person Rosh Hashanah children’s service on Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. On Yom Kippur, the afternoon service will start at 3:30 p.m.

The Baton Rouge congregations will have some joint events. On Sept.7, a joint youth service will be held at Beth Shalom at 8:45 a.m. Tashlich and a picnic will be at Perkins Road Community Park, pavilion 2 at 5 p.m. On Sept. 16, the joint youth service will be at B’nai Israel at 8:45 a.m.

B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge will have Rosh Hashanah services at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. For Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre will be at 7 p.m. Morning service is 10 a.m., afternoon service is 3:30 p.m., Yizkor is 4:30 p.m. and Neilah is at 5:30 p.m.

Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge will have Rosh Hashanah services on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m., then at 10 a.m. on both days. Kol Nidre will be at 7:30 p.m. Morning service will be at 10 a.m., with mincha at 4:30 p.m., Yizkor at 6 p.m. and Neilah at 6:30 p.m. Services will be in person and virtual.

Chabad in Baton Rouge will hold a Rosh Hashanah brisket dinner for LSU students, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Services both days will be at 10 a.m., with a children’s program at 11 a.m. Shofar on the Levee will be at River Road and Skip Bertman Drive on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. For Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre is on Sept. 15 at 6:45 p.m., morning services at 10 a.m., children’s program at 11 a.m., Yizkor at 11:45 a.m. Maftir Yonah will be at 5:45 p.m., and a buffet breat-fast will follow Neilah. Masks are requested and advance notice is suggested.

Temple Shalom in Lafayette will hold services at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with Yom Kippur afternoon study at 2:15 p.m., children’s service at 4 p.m., Yizkor at 5 p.m. and Neilah at 5:45 p.m.

Temple Sinai in Lake Charles, which is still recovering from last year’s hurricanes, will have services online, at 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Yom Kippur afternoon will be at 3 p.m., Yizkor at 4 p.m. and Neilah at 5 p.m.

B’nai Israel in Monroe will have in-person services with Covid protocols, along with livestreaming. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. On Sept. 16, Yizkor and the Yom Kippur afternoon service will start at 4 p.m.

Moishe House in New Orleans will have Tashlich on the Bayou, Sept. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the bayou by Dumaine Bridge. They will also join with community partners for a Yom Kippur break-fast and food drive, Sept. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Agudath Achim in Shreveport will have Rosh Hahsanah services both days at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. Family Tashlick service will be on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m., at Duck Pond, East Kings Hwy. Kol Nidre will be at 7 p.m., and Yom Kippur morning at 9 a.m. Yizkor will be at 1 p.m., Mincha at 5:30 p.m. and Neilah at 6:30 p.m.

B’nai Zion in Shreveport will have services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., with a children’s service at 12:15 p.m. Tashlich will be announced. On Yom Kippur, there will be a study session at 1:15 p.m., afternoon service at 2:30 p.m., memorial service at 3:45 p.m. and concluding service at 4:30 p.m. The final shofar blast will be outside at 5:15 p.m., so those who did not come to services can stop by and hear it. Masks will be required, and services will also be broadcast on YouTube.

Mississippi

Adath Israel in Cleveland will not hold services, urging members to participate in other Zoom or streaming services.

B’nai Israel in Columbus will have Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. The Yom Kippur afternoon service will be at 3 p.m., with the memorial service at 5 p.m. and concluding service at 6:30 p.m. There will be an online option.

Hebrew Union Congregation in Greenville will hold services at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., with Zoom available. On Yom Kippur, the afternoon service will be at noon. A Congregational Conversation will be at 3:30 p.m., Yizkor at 4:45 p.m. and Neilah at 5:30 p.m. Masks are required, those who are eligible to be vaccinated but choose not to do so are asked to join online.

Beth Israel in Gulfport will have services the first night at 7:30 p.m., then both days at 9:30 a.m. Yom Kippur services will be at 6 p.m. and 9:30 a.m., Yizkor at 11 a.m. and Mincha at 6 p.m.

Rabbi Edward Cohn, emeritus of Temple Sinai in New Orleans, will lead Rosh Hashanah services at B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg, Sept. 6 at 7:15 p.m. and Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. Zoom options are also available.

Beth Israel in Jackson is limiting High Holy Days attendance to 60 people, limited to members or those working with the rabbi on conversion. Guests may be permitted if the 60 slots are not claimed. Proof of vaccination is not required though strongly recommended, but all in attendance will be required to mask. Reservations are required for Rosh Hashanah by Sept. 3 and Yom Kippur by Sept. 10, and anyone with Covid symptoms or close contact within 72 hours of a holiday must cancel their reservation. Evening services are at 8 p.m. For first day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, children’s services, held outdoors, are at 9 a.m. and morning services start at 10:15 a.m. Second day Rosh Hashanah services are 9 a.m. Yom Kippur study session will be 1:15 p.m., BITY service is 2:30 p.m., Yizkor at 4:15 p.m. and Neilah at 5 p.m., followed by break-the-fast.

The Oxford Jewish Federation will hold High Holy Day services at the Paris-Yates Chapel at the University of Mississippi, led by Student Rabbi Yonaton Arnon. Masks will be required and live-stream options are being explored. There will be a welcome and Torah study session on Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. in the Grove. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m., and on Sept. 7 there will be a Tashlich service following the morning service, approximately at noon, at Pat Lamar Park.

B’nai Israel in Tupelo will have Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. In-person attendance will be limited to those who are fully vaccinated. Zoom and YouTube streaming will also be available. Tashlich will be at the dock at Veterans Park on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Yom Kippur afternoon services will be at 4 p.m., and a break-the-fast will follow the concluding service. On Sept. 7, Park Heights restaurant is being opened specifically for a B’nai Israel lunch. Reservations are $21.