Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do you mean when you say our services will be “Primarily Online”? Are we going to be in person at all?
COVID-19 changed the rules about how we assemble. For now our “new normal” is to gather for services online. We have been holding life cycle events, learning and worship, even our annual benefit in this mode.
Remember, we are only as healthy as our least healthy member. There will be a few opportunities to join together on the Adath grounds while remaining in our cars: Shana Tovah Drive-Through on Sunday, September 12, and Shofar in the Park(ing lot) on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah.
2. Is anyone going to be in the sanctuary for the Holidays? Clergy? Torah readers?
We will be recording our services from the sanctuary, maintaining meticulous safety measures.
3. How will we be able to tune in to services?
If you have access to a computer, smartphone or even just an old fashioned home phone, you will be able to take part in our services this year. Please consult your Clarion for schedule of how and when to tune in. As we do presently for Friday evening and Saturday morning services, we expect to employ both Zoom (click here and download "Zoom Client for Meetings") and Adath’s live stream. Please be in touch if you, or someone you know needs help accessing these technologies. We have a Tech Committee Chaired by Scott Gordon that has been helping people figure out how to connect since the start of the pandemic. Please have this email handy: [email protected] for any issues that come up.
4. What about the Shofar?
Sign up here to join us for Shofar in the Park(ing Lot)! on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
5. What will we do about the High Holy Day prayer book, Mahzor Lev Shalem?
You’ll need a Mahzor Lev Shalem prayer book to follow along. You can purchase a digital version here for $5.99. You can also borrow one from Adath in our Shana Tovah Drive-Through on Sunday, September 13 from 2-2:30 pm.
6. Will there still be a family service? Will there be children’s services?
We have the unique opportunity to gather as #OneAdath for the core of our worship services this High Holidays. There will be specific opportunities for our youth and family communities to gather online as well, in between the service offerings. See our schedule for Teen Talk and Family Sing Along & Story Time Zoom sessions. Download our Kids Activity Packet - coming soon!
7. I’ve read about the dangers of communal singing in COVID times. How does this affect our congregation?
One of the scariest and saddest discoveries of our time is that singing in groups spreads aerosols through the air more rapidly than conversation. (Another article interviewing Michael Osterholm here talks about singing in “church”). That being said, Hazzan Dulkin has a plan to re-create the sounds of our congregation singing together! But she needs all of our help! Check out Adath Sings!
8. Will there be a choir?
Yes! We are working on a Virtual Choir video or two that will give you the “flavor” of being together in our beautiful sanctuary.
9. Will there be Aleph and Bet services?
No. The silver lining of this year’s challenges are that we can gather online as #OneAdath. This year, our services and gatherings are designed for everyone to join. We hope to honor the traditions of both Alef and Bet services throughout.
10. Can we have small group discussion?
We are excited about the possibilities that Zoom provides for breakout group discussion, which we have each week at our Shabbat Virtual Kiddush. We hope to be able to offer such breakout sessions over the days of the holidays.
11. Will services be happening all day or just in the morning?
You will be able to “tune in” to our Adath Live Stream on both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, with options to engage in interactive learning, activities and introspection from morning until evening. All services will be recorded and available to watch on-demand following the holiday.
12. What are we doing for Tashlich?
Hazzan Dulkin has created an Audio self-guided Tashlich for individuals and families to listen to as they do their own ritual (see our Yom Kippur schedule for details). Search for the Yoga for Yids Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
13. Will there be a SPA service?
We plan to incorporate a few elements of SPA in the service that we share together.
14. If I have a problem with Zoom during the service can I get help?
Yes, please have this email handy: [email protected]. If you've never used zoom you can download it here (download Zoom Client for Meetings) and watch this tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting. Then give it a test run by joining us for Shabbat Morning Services.
15. How should I dress for services?
Let’s start with this: you must wear clothing. Remember that when we are on Zoom, everyone can see you! Some households may decide that dressing up will add a level of holiness to the day, others may embrace the opportunity to dress more comfortably. Feel free to wear a tallit and/or head covering just like you would in the synagogue. There is a tradition to wear white on Yom Kippur, and to abstain from wearing leather shoes.
16. What came of the input people have to the High Holiday Task Force?
We are thankful for the work done by Adath’s High Holiday Taskforce, chaired by Ellen Sue Parker. We have taken account of the kinds of things that we heard. Doing High Holiday services online is a unique and hopefully one time experience in which we will be challenged to think about how everything is done. We expect that even online, many aspects will feel familiar and there will be opportunities to experiment knowing that everything is different because we are online. We expect to have the High Holiday Task Force resume its work after this year’s holidays. This will be an opportunity to also consider lessons from our experience online this year, as we prepare to be together in person, with God’s help, in 5781- 2021.
17. Will we still have our favorite song, Sim Shalom?
It isn’t the holidays unless we are able to sing “Sim Shalom” along with the beautiful voices of the Adath Choir. Don’t worry!
18. Will we still be asked to bring food for the food shelf?
Yes! This is a core practice of our Adath community and hunger remains a major issue in our community. The large trailer will be parked in the Adath parking lot, and there will be specifically coordinated times for drop off of food to avoid large gatherings. See our High Holy Day Food Drive drop off times.
19. What resources will be available to help my family prepare for the holidays?
Read up on what to expect and how to prepare here or in the September Clarion. Subscribe to our Daily and Weekly Chadashot for updates.
20. Will we be able to order delicious knishes and honey cakes (and meals) from the Adath Kitchen?
We apologize that we can not offer this service this year.
21. Will there be a Memorial Book?
The annual Yizkor Memorial Book, will be online this year and posted prior to Yom Kippur services. This is an opportunity to remember loved ones through acts of tzedakah. There is an $18 minimum donation per line. Donations above this amount are appreciated. If the cost is a hard-ship, contact Andrea Blumberg at 952.545.2424. If you participated last year in the Yizkor Memorial Book we will be reaching out to you via email to confirm the names you wish to include with a link to our website that includes an online form to complete (payment must accompany your request via credit card). If you did not participate in the memorial book last year please feel free to complete this online form: https://bit.ly/yizkormemorialbook.
22. Will I still be able to order my lulav and etrog?
Yes! $54 per set: each set consists of an Israeli Etrog, Lulav (palm branch), with its palm holder, Hadassim (myrtle branches), and Arovoth (willow branches). Please complete this online form to order (payment must accompany your request via credit card).We will notify you when your Lulav & Etrog set is ready for pick up. Wishing you a happy Sukkot.
23. Will the upcoming B’nai Mitzvah kids lead Havdalah?
Of course! Join us from the Havdalah link in our Yom Kippur schedule.
24. How do I arrange for a reciprocal ticket or zoom link for another congregation if I am going to be out of town?
This year, your membership at Adath is global! You will be able join our virtual services from anywhere in the world.
25. Will I be able to watch High Holy Day services at a different time?
All of our services will be recorded and available to watch on-demand. You can access the recordings from the High Holy Day schedule. Some Zoom events and in-person events will not be recorded and can only be participated in at the scheduled time, such as congregational schmooze/conversations, teen talk, family sing-along, shana tovah drive through, and shofar in the park(ing) lot.
26. How do I access the services and get into the Zoom meetings on the High Holy Days?
Go to our High Holy Day schedule and, at the scheduled time, click on the item you would like to access and it will take you there.
27. When will I receive my confirmation parking permit for Shofar in the Park(ing lot)!?
Once registration closes on September 13, we will send all registrants a confirmation and permit to show as they enter. For social distancing purposes, if the time slot you registered for has been filled, we may ask you to come at a different time slot.
27. How can I listen to services on a landline telephone?
Here is a printout directory of the phone numbers and meeting IDs to dial in order to listen and participate by phone. Follow the prompts to enter the meeting ID.
28. How can I watch the live stream of services and follow along with my digital Mahzor at the same time?
Use the split screen feature. On a Mac:
Have another question? Contact Andrea Blumberg at [email protected] or 952.545.2424
COVID-19 changed the rules about how we assemble. For now our “new normal” is to gather for services online. We have been holding life cycle events, learning and worship, even our annual benefit in this mode.
Remember, we are only as healthy as our least healthy member. There will be a few opportunities to join together on the Adath grounds while remaining in our cars: Shana Tovah Drive-Through on Sunday, September 12, and Shofar in the Park(ing lot) on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah.
2. Is anyone going to be in the sanctuary for the Holidays? Clergy? Torah readers?
We will be recording our services from the sanctuary, maintaining meticulous safety measures.
3. How will we be able to tune in to services?
If you have access to a computer, smartphone or even just an old fashioned home phone, you will be able to take part in our services this year. Please consult your Clarion for schedule of how and when to tune in. As we do presently for Friday evening and Saturday morning services, we expect to employ both Zoom (click here and download "Zoom Client for Meetings") and Adath’s live stream. Please be in touch if you, or someone you know needs help accessing these technologies. We have a Tech Committee Chaired by Scott Gordon that has been helping people figure out how to connect since the start of the pandemic. Please have this email handy: [email protected] for any issues that come up.
4. What about the Shofar?
Sign up here to join us for Shofar in the Park(ing Lot)! on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
5. What will we do about the High Holy Day prayer book, Mahzor Lev Shalem?
You’ll need a Mahzor Lev Shalem prayer book to follow along. You can purchase a digital version here for $5.99. You can also borrow one from Adath in our Shana Tovah Drive-Through on Sunday, September 13 from 2-2:30 pm.
6. Will there still be a family service? Will there be children’s services?
We have the unique opportunity to gather as #OneAdath for the core of our worship services this High Holidays. There will be specific opportunities for our youth and family communities to gather online as well, in between the service offerings. See our schedule for Teen Talk and Family Sing Along & Story Time Zoom sessions. Download our Kids Activity Packet - coming soon!
7. I’ve read about the dangers of communal singing in COVID times. How does this affect our congregation?
One of the scariest and saddest discoveries of our time is that singing in groups spreads aerosols through the air more rapidly than conversation. (Another article interviewing Michael Osterholm here talks about singing in “church”). That being said, Hazzan Dulkin has a plan to re-create the sounds of our congregation singing together! But she needs all of our help! Check out Adath Sings!
8. Will there be a choir?
Yes! We are working on a Virtual Choir video or two that will give you the “flavor” of being together in our beautiful sanctuary.
9. Will there be Aleph and Bet services?
No. The silver lining of this year’s challenges are that we can gather online as #OneAdath. This year, our services and gatherings are designed for everyone to join. We hope to honor the traditions of both Alef and Bet services throughout.
10. Can we have small group discussion?
We are excited about the possibilities that Zoom provides for breakout group discussion, which we have each week at our Shabbat Virtual Kiddush. We hope to be able to offer such breakout sessions over the days of the holidays.
11. Will services be happening all day or just in the morning?
You will be able to “tune in” to our Adath Live Stream on both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, with options to engage in interactive learning, activities and introspection from morning until evening. All services will be recorded and available to watch on-demand following the holiday.
12. What are we doing for Tashlich?
Hazzan Dulkin has created an Audio self-guided Tashlich for individuals and families to listen to as they do their own ritual (see our Yom Kippur schedule for details). Search for the Yoga for Yids Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
13. Will there be a SPA service?
We plan to incorporate a few elements of SPA in the service that we share together.
14. If I have a problem with Zoom during the service can I get help?
Yes, please have this email handy: [email protected]. If you've never used zoom you can download it here (download Zoom Client for Meetings) and watch this tutorial on how to join a Zoom meeting. Then give it a test run by joining us for Shabbat Morning Services.
15. How should I dress for services?
Let’s start with this: you must wear clothing. Remember that when we are on Zoom, everyone can see you! Some households may decide that dressing up will add a level of holiness to the day, others may embrace the opportunity to dress more comfortably. Feel free to wear a tallit and/or head covering just like you would in the synagogue. There is a tradition to wear white on Yom Kippur, and to abstain from wearing leather shoes.
16. What came of the input people have to the High Holiday Task Force?
We are thankful for the work done by Adath’s High Holiday Taskforce, chaired by Ellen Sue Parker. We have taken account of the kinds of things that we heard. Doing High Holiday services online is a unique and hopefully one time experience in which we will be challenged to think about how everything is done. We expect that even online, many aspects will feel familiar and there will be opportunities to experiment knowing that everything is different because we are online. We expect to have the High Holiday Task Force resume its work after this year’s holidays. This will be an opportunity to also consider lessons from our experience online this year, as we prepare to be together in person, with God’s help, in 5781- 2021.
17. Will we still have our favorite song, Sim Shalom?
It isn’t the holidays unless we are able to sing “Sim Shalom” along with the beautiful voices of the Adath Choir. Don’t worry!
18. Will we still be asked to bring food for the food shelf?
Yes! This is a core practice of our Adath community and hunger remains a major issue in our community. The large trailer will be parked in the Adath parking lot, and there will be specifically coordinated times for drop off of food to avoid large gatherings. See our High Holy Day Food Drive drop off times.
19. What resources will be available to help my family prepare for the holidays?
Read up on what to expect and how to prepare here or in the September Clarion. Subscribe to our Daily and Weekly Chadashot for updates.
20. Will we be able to order delicious knishes and honey cakes (and meals) from the Adath Kitchen?
We apologize that we can not offer this service this year.
21. Will there be a Memorial Book?
The annual Yizkor Memorial Book, will be online this year and posted prior to Yom Kippur services. This is an opportunity to remember loved ones through acts of tzedakah. There is an $18 minimum donation per line. Donations above this amount are appreciated. If the cost is a hard-ship, contact Andrea Blumberg at 952.545.2424. If you participated last year in the Yizkor Memorial Book we will be reaching out to you via email to confirm the names you wish to include with a link to our website that includes an online form to complete (payment must accompany your request via credit card). If you did not participate in the memorial book last year please feel free to complete this online form: https://bit.ly/yizkormemorialbook.
22. Will I still be able to order my lulav and etrog?
Yes! $54 per set: each set consists of an Israeli Etrog, Lulav (palm branch), with its palm holder, Hadassim (myrtle branches), and Arovoth (willow branches). Please complete this online form to order (payment must accompany your request via credit card).We will notify you when your Lulav & Etrog set is ready for pick up. Wishing you a happy Sukkot.
23. Will the upcoming B’nai Mitzvah kids lead Havdalah?
Of course! Join us from the Havdalah link in our Yom Kippur schedule.
24. How do I arrange for a reciprocal ticket or zoom link for another congregation if I am going to be out of town?
This year, your membership at Adath is global! You will be able join our virtual services from anywhere in the world.
25. Will I be able to watch High Holy Day services at a different time?
All of our services will be recorded and available to watch on-demand. You can access the recordings from the High Holy Day schedule. Some Zoom events and in-person events will not be recorded and can only be participated in at the scheduled time, such as congregational schmooze/conversations, teen talk, family sing-along, shana tovah drive through, and shofar in the park(ing) lot.
26. How do I access the services and get into the Zoom meetings on the High Holy Days?
Go to our High Holy Day schedule and, at the scheduled time, click on the item you would like to access and it will take you there.
27. When will I receive my confirmation parking permit for Shofar in the Park(ing lot)!?
Once registration closes on September 13, we will send all registrants a confirmation and permit to show as they enter. For social distancing purposes, if the time slot you registered for has been filled, we may ask you to come at a different time slot.
27. How can I listen to services on a landline telephone?
Here is a printout directory of the phone numbers and meeting IDs to dial in order to listen and participate by phone. Follow the prompts to enter the meeting ID.
28. How can I watch the live stream of services and follow along with my digital Mahzor at the same time?
Use the split screen feature. On a Mac:
- Open the live stream and the Mahzor in two separate windows
- On one of the windows look in the top left corner where there are three buttons red, orange green
- Click and hold down the green button
- It will throw it into a split screen and let you select your second open window to split with it.
Have another question? Contact Andrea Blumberg at [email protected] or 952.545.2424