High Holy Days Family Services
Make music, meaning, and memories together as a family!

While worshippers of all ages are welcome at any of Stephen Wise Temple’s High Holy Day services, our family-friendly services are designed to be spiritually meaningful but also a little easier for our younger worshippers. These services are shorter in duration, and while the major High Holy Day liturgy and rituals are covered, these services will feature more melodies that inspire communal singing and you’ll get a story rather than a formal sermon.

Families with children ages 12 and under will automatically receive tickets for the family services that are the best fit based on the age(s) of your child(ren), including Ne’ilah at the end of Yom Kippur. These tickets will allow you and your household to attend services together. To request tickets for other services, or for guests who will be joining you this year, please use this form.

Days of Awesome

For members who would like to focus on their own spiritual experience, we provide complimentary childcare for children ages 2-5 and age-appropriate High Holy Day activities and learning for children in grades K-8. Days of Awesome is available during the later congregational daytime services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur day.

Days of Awesome for Children Ages 2-5

Playtime for kids while grownups worship

As part of Days of Awesome, we offer complimentary childcare for preschool-aged children.

Snacks will be provided, both on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Days of Awesome hours for children ages 2-5 will be:

Rosh Hashanah: September 16, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur: September 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Check-in begins: 9:45 a.m.

Days of Awesome for Children in Grades K-8

Meaningful and fun holiday children’s experiences

Days of Awesome for children in grades K-8 offers age-appropriate Jewish learning for the High Holy Days through fun activities that build spirit and community.

Snacks will be provided both on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Days of Awesome activities for children Grades K-8 will be held:

Rosh Hashanah: September 16, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur: September 25, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Check-in begins: 11:15 a.m.

  • In order to participate in Days of Awesome, parents with children ages 2-5 must check their children in and out at our kiosk outside Room 51.
  • Check-in for Days of Awesome (K-8) will be located at Room 36.
    • Activities will use Rooms 30-36, as well as the Pre-K yard. Families should use the stairwell across from the Plotkin Chapel entrance to proceed to check-in. All other stairwells should be blocked off.
    • Participants will use the stairs near Room 65 and Room 7 during transit to/from outdoor activities.

Family Activities

At Wise, we recognize that not everybody worships or learns in the same way. That’s why we offer a variety of opportunities to engage with the High Holy Day liturgy for adults and special activities designed for families with children.

Date Time Activity Location
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Friday, Sept. 15
6 p.m. Sermon Alternative* Plotkin Chapel
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Sunday, Sept. 17
2 p.m. Tashlich at the Beach Will Rogers Beach
Yom Kippur Day
Monday, Sept. 25
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Family Mitzvah Project

We will be assembling hygiene bags and making special wall decorations for families staying at the Hope the Mission Woodlands Shelter. We’ll also be sorting the clothing donations collected from our Layer Up Drive. Bring your own (Layer Up) clothing, gently used toys, and book donations when you come to assist with our project.

Tyberg Learning Center
5 p.m. Jonah: An Interactive Family Experience
Just before Ne’ilah, join us for an interactive and entertaining look at the book of Jonah. Jonah is a terrific story and filled with not a small amount of humor. We’ll sing songs, tell our version of the story, and learn some important lessons.
Sanctuary

*While the traditional sermon for our Erev Rosh Hashanah services is being delivered, families with young children will have the opportunity for an engaging family-friendly story told by clergy on the themes of the High Holy Days.