Our full High Holy Day experience is back this year, and better than ever!
Return: High Holy Days at Darchei Noam
A message from Darchei Noam's President:
Once upon a time, more than ten years ago, I attended my first service at Darchei Noam as a High Holy Day member. I wasn’t sure what to expect—but by the time Ne’ilah ended, something magical had happened. Somewhere between Rabbi Grimberg’s storytelling, Rabbi Hirsh’s “Ten things I learned about teshuvah,” the full-throated congregational singing, and the welcoming strangers who wrapped me and my family in their tallitot during Birkat Hashalom, Darchei Noam had started to feel like home.
Over the years, I’ve drifted away from active shul participation and back again—maybe you have, too. The pandemic years have been difficult for all of us, and have profoundly changed many of our habits. Maybe attending in person is too difficult; maybe you find online services unsatisfying; maybe you just aren’t sure what to expect after all this time.
This fall, the High Holy Days at Darchei Noam have more to offer than ever, including services in our Sanctuary (in person and via Zoom) and in the Social Hall; a full array of family services, family programs, and childcare; and not one, not two, but three rabbis sharing their wisdom, knowledge, and joy with all of us.
So as we look forward to the High Holy Days, we’re asking you to return: Return to a renewed community, with a renewed sense of purpose and renewed professional leadership.
Rabbi Ryan Leszner has recently joined Darchei Noam as Assistant Rabbi and Director of Jewish Living and Learning. He and Rabbi Tina Grimberg, Senior Rabbi, join forces to connect the best of our traditions to the hope of tomorrow, and during the High Holy Days they’ll be joined by Rabbi Richard Hirsh, who has been spending the Yamim Noraim with us for so many years.
Rabbi Leszner will work directly with our young families, those in our Hebrew School and those who gain their Jewish knowledge through the Toronto Hebrew day school system, and with our B'nei Mitzvah students and their families. He also brings his music to our services alongside our dedicated volunteer and professional leaders—there is some sweet, sweet harmony on our bimah these days.
If you, like many of us, drifted away over the past few years, return.
Just one more thing … We want to fill our building this year. If you want to spend the High Holy Days with us and make your HHD Membership donation BEFORE September 1, a 20% discount will be applied. Beginning September 1, HHD Memberships will be full price.
Service Times
Mark your calendars with the following dates for our upcoming High Holy Day services:
Erev Yom Kippur - Sunday, September 24
Kol Nidre Service #1: 6:30 p.m. - Sanctuary and Zoom* - Rabbi Tina Grimberg
Kol Nidre Service #2: 6:30 p.m. - Social Hall - Rabbi Richard Hirsh
KolNidre Family Service: 6:30 p.m. - Triple Rooms - Cantor Dayna and David Bernstein
Yom Kippur - Monday, September 25
Morning Service including Yizkor #1: 9:30 a.m. - Sanctuary and Zoom* - Rabbi Richard Hirsh
Morning Service including Yizkor #2: 9:30 a.m. - Social Hall - Rabbi Tina Grimberg
Family services: 10:15 a.m. - Triple Rooms - Rabbi Ryan Leszner
Yoga with Karen Weinthal: 2:00 p.m. - Social Hall
Study Session with Rabbi Hirsh: 3:00 p.m. - Sanctuary and Zoom*
Class with Rabbi Ryan Leszner: 4:15 p.m. - Social Hall
Mincha: 5:00 p.m. - Sanctuary and Zoom* - Rabbi Tina Grimberg & Rabbi Ryan Leszner
Ma’ariv/Ne’ilah: 6:30 p.m. - Sanctuary and Zoom* - Rabbi Tina Grimberg & Rabbi Ryan Leszner
Ma’ariv/Ne’ilah: 6:30 p.m. - Social Hall - Rabbi Richard Hirsh
*Services will also be broadcast to the Library.
Additional Information
Kippot and Tallitot
As an egalitarian community, our congregation encourages everone entering services to wear a head covering, or kippah, as a sign of humility and respect. Head coverings are available outside each prayer hall. Also, there are a limited number of tallitot (prayer shawls) available for you to borrow.
The Reconstructionist High Holy Day Prayer Book – “Kol Haneshamah: Mahzor Leyamim Nora'im”
Darchei Noam uses the Kol Haneshamah Reconstructionist prayer book. Attendees need to bring their own copies. Copies can be purchased from the synagogue office for $80 by contacting Claire by emailing claire@darcheinoam.ca or phoning (416) 638-4783.
Parking
Please allow yourself plenty of time to locate a parking space on the side streets around the synagogue. Make sure that you do not park in front of driveways or too close to fire hydrants, no stopping/standing zones, stop signs, etc. and read the signs carefully when parking on a main street. DO NOT PARK ON SHEPPARD AVENUE DURING RUSH HOUR AS YOU WILL BE TAGGED AND TOWED. Please abide by all parking laws and regulations when parking on neighbourhood streets. Remember that we have a very convenient drop-off area right in front of the shul if you would like to drop off your passengers before you find parking.
Accessible Parking during the High Holy Days
Parking in the synagogue parking lot will be limited to drivers with mobility challenges who have reserved a spot in advance. If you require a special High Holy Day Parking Pass, please contact the Claire in the office by emailing claire@darcheinoam.ca or phoning (416) 638-4783. to let them know which days you will be attending services and needing a spot. Due to limited availability, these spots are only available to those who have contacted the office in advance. After that, it may be made available to someone else.
Accessibility
Important Note: Despite our elevator remaining out of order, we have taken special measures to guarantee accessibility during the Kol Nidre service on Sunday evening, September 24th. Certified elevator technicians will be exclusively present to safely operate the elevator manually during this time. This service, approved by the elevator maintenance company's General Manager, is dedicated to accommodating our members and guests with mobility challenges. Please note that the elevator will only be available during the Kol Nidre service on Sunday evening, September 24th.
For those who prefer an accessible alternative, we will convert the library into a small sanctuary and broadcast Yom Kippur and Kol Nidre services from the Sanctuary. During Kol Nidre, Rabbi Tina Grimberg and Rabbi Ryan Leszner will join us in the library for prayer and conversation. While we understand that this may not be the ideal solution, we hope it will enable everyone to participate.
You can also join our multi-generational and inclusive Kol Nidre service in the triple rooms on the entrance floor.
Additionally, we offer the option to join us remotely on Zoom for all services taking place in the Sanctuary.
We will continue to provide refunds to those who find none of the above options suitable for their needs and expectations.
If you have special seating requirements, please contact Claire in the synagogue office by emailing claire@darcheinoam.ca or phoning (416) 638-4783, in advance of Yom Kippur. We will do our best to accommodate any special needs you may have.
Security
Extra security from our regular provider will be on-site during the High Holy Days. Please be prepared to show your eticket each time you enter the building. All bags coming into the shul will be thoroughly searched, and this will certainly slow down entry into the building. Please consider limiting what you carry with you into the shul during the High Holy Days. Many people keep their wallets and keys in their tallit bag and leave other valuables at home or in the trunk of their car.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Evacuation procedures are posted by the doorways in each of the main rooms. In case of a fire or other emergency, please pay attention to the High Holy Day Ushers, who can be identified by their name tags.
Infant Care Room
For caregivers, we will have a room on the lower level dedicated to feeding and changing infants.