Dear CRC Community,
I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I don’t want to hurry time, but autumn and the High Holidays have a way of sneaking up on us! I want to share our CRC plan for this year, our third High Holiday season with COVID as a reality in our lives. Another name for the High Holiday season is “Days of Teshuvah.” Teshuvah, a term and concept heard often during the services, literally means return. Return to God, or godliness, or soulfulness, or to our best selves (or all of the above). This year, our ‘return’ will take on additional meaning, we will be returning to our synagogue home.
A short history: in 2020, we went fully virtual for the High Holiday and in 2021, just before CRC’s building reopened, we were virtual for our holiday evening services and in-person outdoors in our “tent of meeting” for the services held during the day. We have not even been back at CRC for Shabbat services, b’nai mitzvah celebrations, etc., for a full year, and so we feel that the next logical High Holiday step is to have all of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in-person inside CRC’s sukkat shalom (shelter of peace) and, of course, streamed for all who prefer that option.
Pre-pandemic, we always shifted to a larger space (most recently the JCC) to accommodate everyone, but we believe it is too early in this re-opening chapter to anticipate a gathering large enough to justify such a move. We also hope that for many, it will be a warm and connection filled ‘coming home’ experience after such a long time away from the community, and what better place for that to happen than in our own building, our ‘house of gathering.’
With the retractable wall open and seats in the multi-purpose room, CRC has a capacity for nearly 500 people. If there is overflow, we will have a large screen in the Oneg room for people to watch the live service with others, and, in the event that it’s needed, we will even have the sanctuary of First Unitarian Church across the street available with another large screen to livestream the services.
During services, in all spaces, well fitted masks will be mandatory, as many people rely on this as a proven safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Following Rosh Hashanah services, we will host Onegs at CRC for people who feel comfortable socializing and snacking unmasked with others.
We will remain true to our CRC value to be open to the whole community without “tickets,” including to people who are unaffiliated with a congregation. Just as last year, we will ask those planning to attend services in person to register via Eventbrite. This will not act as a reservation or guarantee a seat, but will be so helpful to us in anticipating the number of people who plan to attend in person and allow us to make plans to accommodate all who want to join us.
To prioritize space for members of our CRC community, we will not publicize our schedule in community communications this year. Given the pace of re-opening, we really believe we will be able to have a seat for everyone who wishes to worship with us in person, but we still advise that you plan to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the service is scheduled to start. Parking will be off-site in nearby lots with shuttle service to and from CRC and valet available to those with mobility challenges.
Alan Freed, Leslie Caplan, and Andrew Bollinger will provide most of the music, along with the High Holiday wind ensemble and special appearances by the CRC choir. Hava Polinsky, who grew up at CRC and is a graduate student at The Juilliard School, will return to play violin at Kol Nidre and Yizkor.
All Children’s services, Yizkor and Neila, will also be inside CRC. The Yom Kippur afternoon breakout sessions (with special guests) will take place across the street at First Unitarian Church. We believe this is the best plan for our community in these challenging times and we look forward to meaningful, holy, inspiring, and transformational time together during the upcoming Days of Awe.
We can finally come back to one another, and to CRC, in this crucial time for our congregation and the world. If it is your time to return, I very much look forward to sharing and celebrating the Holy Days together in our shared home.
B’ Ahavah (With Love),
Rabbi Randy
In -Person Services
All of our High Holiday services will take place in-person inside CRC’s Building.
- With the retractable wall open and seats in the multi-purpose room, CRC has a capacity for 500 people.
- We will also have a large screen in the Oneg room for people to watch the live service with others.
All of our our High Holiday services and most additional offerings are available to watch from the comfort and safety of your home at www.centralreform.org/#livestream.
Registration
We will remain true to our CRC value to be open to the whole community without “tickets,” including to people who are unaffiliated with a congregation. Just as last year, we request registration via Eventbrite for each service that you plan to attend in person.
Registration will not act as a reservation or guarantee a seat in CRC’s sanctuary but will be extremely helpful to us in anticipating the number of people who plan to attend in person, allow us to make plans, and take security measures to safely accommodate all who want to join.
If you need assistance in registering for a service, please contact the front desk at 314-361-3919.
Vaccination and Masking Requirements
Vaccination is requested for attendance at all events.
We will not check vaccination status upon entry to the building.
Well fitting masks worn over the nose and mouth are required for all individuals in attendance for the duration of the service. For Children’s Services, all children over two years of age should be masked.
Seating Policy
CRC’s capacity is 500 congregants. We urge members to arrive early to assure satisfactory seating. Although the saving of seats is discouraged, members may save up to four seats until 15 minutes before the scheduled start of services. Seating for these services will be in CRC’s sanctuary and Multipurpose Room only.
Childcare
Childcare registration is now closed.
Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a village! In the spirit of CRC’s radical hospitality, we invite you to join our staff in warmly receiving the community into our sukkat shalom. To offer your time before or after a service, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/rVuZx2Fi3GX19He48
Security
In the interest of keeping our community safe, security will be increased during our High Holiday services. We ask that you plan to arrive early to progress through security measures and be seated prior to the scheduled service times.
A few notes on what to expect:
- Our doors will open 1 hour prior to scheduled service times
- Please pack light; all bags will be examined and large bags + backpacks are not permitted
- All those attending will proceed through a metal detector as they enter CRC or First Unitarian
- Firearms will not be permitted on the premises
Fill the Pantry!
We are once again collecting non-perishable goods to stock the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Please bring the following items to drop in the collection bins at the entrance to CRC: cereal, canned vegetables, canned beans, pasta sauce, tomato products, tuna/canned chicken, soup, chili, beef stew, peanut butter, and protein-rich foods. Items must not be expired or opened. The food pantry is not able to accept donations in glass jars.
Parking:
Dedicated parking for those attending CRC services has been secured off site in nearby lots with shuttle service to and from CRC. We encourage you to arrive early and use this service to travel to and from CRC for services.
CRC’s lot will not be available for parking Erev Yom Kippur or Yom Kippur Morning Services.
Shuttles
Shuttles will run all day on Yom Kippur to transport people to and from the designated lots for all services + offerings on CRC’s campus each day. Shuttle busses will run continually for pick up and drop off at all lots.
Shuttle Schedule:
- Kol Nidre, Tuesday, October 4: 6:30 pm-11:00 pm
- Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 5: 8:30 am-7:30 pm
Satellite Lots available for parking:
Kol Nidre:
The Mahler Ballroom 4915 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
New City School 5209 Waterman Boulevard
Yom Kippur:
The Mahler Ballroom 4915 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
The McPherson 4715 McPherson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Signage will be present in all lots to ensure that you’re in the right place.
Valet Parking
Limited and complimentary valet parking will be available on Waterman for those with mobility challenges and the need for handicap accessible parking. Valet will be available at the entrance to CRC’s parking lot on the south side of Waterman, please look for signage when you arrive.
Valet Schedule:
- Kol Nidre, Tuesday, October 4: 6:30 pm-11:00 pm
- Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 5: 8:30 am-7:30 pm
2022 High Holiday Service Schedule
Yom Kippur
| Erev Yom Kippur– Tuesday, October 4 8:00 pm Kol Nidre In-Person and Streamed. Register here. |
| Yom Kippur Day – Wednesday, October 5 10:00 am Yom Kippur Morning Service In-Person and Streamed. Register here for the service. Childcare registration is now closed. Breakout Sessions (click to read descriptions of sessions) 1:00 pm– Shima Rostami of Gateway Human Trafficking – In-Person and Streamed. 2:00 pm– JD Mass, PsyD, Author of Race for What? – In-Person and Streamed. 2:45 pm– Guided Watercolor Exercise by Rabbi Karen Bogard. In-Person Only, CRC Library. 3:00 pm– High Holiday Text Study by Rabbi Dale Schreiber – In-Person Only, First Unitarian Fellowship Hall. 3:00 pm– Spiritual Movement Workshop by CRC Member Sarah Anne Patz – In-Person Only, First Unitarian Chapel. 3:15 pm– Voting Rights Chavurah – In-Person Only, First Unitarian Sanctuary. 3:30 pm Yom Kippur Children’s Service This service is specially created for families with young children In-Person and Streamed. Register here. 4:30 pm Yizkor and Neila Services Special performance by violinist Hava Polinsky In-Person and Streamed. Register here. Download Yizkor Book: click here |
2022 High Holiday Schedule- Pocket Guide
| Date | Service | Time | Location | Streamed | Registration |
| 10/4/2022 | Kol Nidre | 8:00pm | Sanctuary | Yes | Register Here |
| 10/5/2022 | Yom Kippur Morning Service | 10:00am | Sanctuary | Yes | Register Here |
| Breakout Sessions | 1:00pm-4:30pm | Check event page for each session | Check event page for each session | N/A | |
| Yom Kippur Children’s Service | 3:30pm | Sanctuary | Yes | Register Here | |
| Yizkor and Neila | 4:30pm | Sanctuary | Yes | Register Here |
This page was last updated 9/29/2022 by Autumn Dennis.