High Holy Days 5786 | 2025
We’re looking forward to gathering together for a season of reflection, renewal, and connection. These High Holy Days invite us to strengthen our community, nurture meaningful relationships, and open our hearts to growth.
Due to security, and with the awareness that some members may not join us in person, registration is required for services to ensure we can plan adequately.
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Selichot & Kever Avot
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Sunset Selichot Service
Saturday, September 13, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
(In Person - Off Site)Reflect and renew with the sunset over the mountains as our backdrop.
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Shaarei Shalom Kever Avot
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Time TBA
(In Person)Honor the memory of loved ones with sacred graveside prayer.
Subject to cancellation based on low registration - please register if you plan to attend. -
Evergreen Kever Avot
Sunday, September 14, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(In Person)A quiet moment of prayer, remembrance, and connection.
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Nogales Kever Avot
Sunday, September 14, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(In Person)
Gather as a community to remember and honor together.
High Holy Day Message
Kol Ami is a home of joyful Judaism for all — a place to find inspiration, belonging, and strength. As we enter the High Holy Days, we invite you to watch this year’s message from Rabbi Malcolm and Cantor Jen. Thanks to a generous $15,000 matching grant, your support this season will go twice as far. L’Shana Tovah!
Sign Up for a High Holy Day Honor
The form will close as soon as all roles are filled - don’t wait if you are interested in participating!
Help make our High Holy Day services even more meaningful by volunteering for a special honor, such as opening the ark, carrying the Torah, or other ceremonial roles. No experience is needed—we’ll guide you every step of the way. Sign up today and be part of these sacred moments.
Questions? Contact the Sacred Living Committee by clicking here.
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services
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Erev Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
Monday, September 22, 2025
7:30 PM - 9:45 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Welcome the New Year with song, prayer, and community.
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Rosh Hashanah Tot Service & Activity
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
(In Person)A joyful Rosh Hashanah celebration for tots and families.
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Rosh Hashanah Main Morning Service
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
10:00 AM - 1:15 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Lift your spirit with prayer, shofar blasts, and community.
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Rosh Hashanah Family Service
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)A musical, interactive service for kids and their families.
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Kol Nidre Evening Service
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
7:30 PM - 10:15 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Enter Yom Kippur with solemnity, song, and tradition.
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Yom Kippur Tot Service & Activity
Thursday, October 2, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
(In Person)Stories and songs for the holiest day — tot-style!
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Yom Kippur Main Morning Service
Thursday, October 2, 2025
10:00 AM - 1:15 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Meaningful prayer, powerful music, and quiet reflection.
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Humans of Kol Ami
Thursday, October 2, 2025
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
(In Person and Zoom)Real stories. Big questions. Shared humanity.
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Yom Kippur Family Service
Thursday, October 2, 2025
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Explore forgiveness through story, prayer, and song.
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Yom Kippur Chant Circle
Thursday, October 2, 2025
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
(In Person)Join Ellen Solot for a meditative High Holy Day chant circle.
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Yom Kippur Afternoon Service
Thursday, October 2, 2025
3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Reflection through Torah, Jonah, and sacred memory.
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Yom Kippur Yizkor & Ne'ilah Services
Thursday, October 2, 2025
5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Honor memory and close the gates with heartfelt prayer.
Tashlich
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 5:45 PM
As the High Holy Days invite us into a season of reflection and renewal, Tashlich offers a moment to symbolically release the missteps of the past year. We’ll gather at Reid Park for this meaningful, informal ritual—writing our reflections on dissolving paper and casting them into the water as a gesture of letting go.
This year, the Men of Kol Ami will be grilling hotdogs for all to enjoy. Bring a folding chair and your intentions for the new year. Join us as we begin 5786 with community, connection, and a fresh start.
Order Your Own Lulav & Etrog Set
Deadline to order is Thursday, September 11, at 11:59 PM.
Celebrate Sukkot with your own lulav and etrog set! Ordering through Kol Ami ensures you receive a beautiful, kosher set to use for the holiday’s daily mitzvah. Sets will be available for pickup at the synagogue before Sukkot begins.
Project Isaiah: Food Drive
September 8 - October 17
Join us in answering the call of the Prophet Isaiah—“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?” This High Holiday season, we are partnering in the Jewish community’s annual Project Isaiah collection to support the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. From September 8–October 17, bring nonperishable food items to help our neighbors facing hunger.
Donation boxes can be found near the Rubin Family Sanctuary and by the admin office.
Additional Observances
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Erev Sukkot Service with the Mobile Sukkah
Monday, October 6, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
(In Person - Off Site)Celebrate Sukkot under the stars in a unique setting.
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Sukkot Festival Morning Service
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Morning prayers infused with Sukkot’s joy and reflection.
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Chai Society Happy Hour in the Sukkah
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
(In Person)Drinks, snacks, a childhood sukkot craft, and community under the sukkah.
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Congregational Simchat Torah Dinner
Monday, October 13, 2025
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
(In Person)Come hungry—dinner, joy, and Torah await!
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Simchat Torah Celebration & 3rd + 4th Grade Consecration
Monday, October 13, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Dance with the Torah and celebrate new learners.
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Sh'mini Atzeret Morning & Yizkor Service
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
(In Person, Zoom, and Livestreamed)Pause, reflect, and remember on this sacred day.
Submit Names for the Book of Remembrance
Deadline to submit is Tuesday, August 26, 11:59 PM.
The High Holy Days are a time of deep reflection, repentance, and renewal. As part of this sacred season, we invite you to submit the names of your departed loved ones to be included in our Book of Remembrance.
FAQs
We have many answers to your High Holy Day questions categorized for easy viewing. If you have a question that is not covered please contact us and we would be happy to help.
Phone: 520-327-4501
Email: kolami@katucson.org
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There is no fee for members.
We would love to have everyone join us for services! For non-members we ask $180 per seat, which will cover all services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
No one will be turned away because of financial need. Non-Member and Guest Registration opens September 5th.
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Tot services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in the Weiner Religious School Auditorium
This program will only be available in person and is designed for children up to second grade age.
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Family service for Rosh Hashanah will be at 4:30 pm, and family service for Yom Kippur will be held at 2:30 pm, in the Rubin Family Sanctuary.
This service is designed for children from third to seventh grade and the adults in their families.
This service will be held in person, on Zoom, and will be available to watch later on our livestream platforms.
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Childcare is available for children under 5 with our Strauss Early Childhood Education teachers on Rosh Hashanah morning and Yom Kippur day. Parents are required to be attending services will their children are in care.
You must pre-register for childcare on the registration page.
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Children ages 6-12 are welcome to join services, or if they choose not to attend, they can participate in activities and enjoy delicious snacks with our Strauss Early Childhood Education and Religious School teachers on Rosh Hashanah morning and Yom Kippur day.
Parents are required to be attending services will their children are in care.
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There will be three entrances/exits (not including exits for emergencies) for all services in the Rubin Family Sanctuary.
We will use the North (solar panel covered parking lot), West (Bentley Ave), and the East (Country Club) doors. Security guards will be conducting bag checks before you enter the building.
Please be prepared with your bag open and your photo ID. We appreciate your patience.
As to not disrupt worship, once services begin in the Rubin Family Sanctuary, only the West and East entrance will be open. The South entrance will be open for the Tot and services and childcare.
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The Sanctuary is a place of prayer and meditation; we ask you to respect the mood of spirituality at all times. Please refrain from conversation during worship services, turn off cell phones, and all other electronic devices.
For your health:
On this sacred day, we realize that some participants need to drink water, due to medical conditions. Not only is this acceptable but, if abstention from drinking would cause medical problems, it is actually mandated to drink, even on Yom Kippur, on the basis of Pikuach Nefesh, the Jewish value of saving a life. The Simon Rosenblatt Board Room will be available to anyone that needs a place to eat or drink.COVID protocols:
There is a section of the sanctuary that is reserved for people who are wearing masks to protect themselves. Please respect the section and those of our community who are taking precautions. Masks will be available at the entrances to the building.
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If you are attending in person, we require you to bring a government-issued photo ID and your confirmation email ticket.
You are also encouraged to bring a kippah and tallit. A mask is optional.
Don’t forget that security will be conducting bag checks. Please be prepared at the entrances.
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According to the Union for Reform Judaism guidelines, members in good standing at one synagogue may attend services at another URJ congregation at no charge. If you will be out of town for the High Holy Days, please contact the office to arrange for reciprocity.
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All Rubin Family Sanctuary services will be available virtually via Zoom for members and live stream at Facebook Live or YouTube.
All Kol Ami members will automatically receive Zoom and live stream links in our member weekly email newsletter.
Friends, family, and those who are not affiliated can view our live stream at Facebook or YouTube. For notification of when we go live, please like us on Facebook or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Prayerbooks:
Physical prayerbooks will be available to those attending in person. We are currently unable to offer a digital version of the Mishkan Ha-Nefesh prayerbooks. The Judaica Shop at Kol Ami has a limited number of copies available for sale. If you would like to borrow the books from Kol Ami, please bring a refundable $40 check to the office. After the books are returned, the check will be returned to you or shredded. Books must be returned by Tuesday, October 21.
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The High Holy Days, particularly Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are a time of deep reflection, repentance, and renewal. The Book of Remembrance plays an essential role during this sacred time, honoring the memory of departed loved ones.
To learn more, click here.
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Kol Ami would love to have you help us out during the High Holy Days. We are looking for congregants to volunteer as ushers, greeters, and ticket takers.
Experience in the security or medical fields is a plus, but all are welcome to volunteer their skills.
Interested? An interest form will open soon!
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Would you like to sign-up for an honored role in our High Holy Days services? This opportunity is only available for Kol Ami members.
Due to limited spaces, submission does not guarantee a part in the services.
Interested? Please fill out this form.