MOUNT KISCO HEBREW CONGREGATION
Bringing over a century of Jewish tradition, spirituality and joy to Northern Westchester County.

HIGH HOLIDAYS 5781
With thanks to the Village of Mt. Kisco and the MKHC community, we will be gathering together for High Holiday services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in a 40' x 80' tent on the parking lot of the Mt. Kisco Justice Court at 40 Green Street (access off Lexington Avenue) and the adjacent grass area.  Please note that there will be NO ACCESS to rest rooms.  Services have been shortened with COVID-19 restrictions in mind.  It will be especially meaningful to be together this year albeit socially distanced.

Services and davening to be led by Rabbi Dov Greer and Chazzan Julian Horowitz, founding member and musical director of the Maccabeats.  

FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT MKHC MEMBERS OR OUR FREQUENT DAVENERS
Welcome! We look forward to having you with us for the holidays.

COVID-19:  We will be strictly adhering to CDC, NY State DOH and the OU guidelines for conducting our services. Please seek medical guidance before deciding to attend. Seats will be separated to allow for social distancing. Masks are mandatory and are required to be worn while in attendance.  Chairs will be carefully cleaned and disinfected between services.   Both before and after the services you are asked to refrain from gathering in groups.  Due to Covid-19, advance registration will be required for all in attendance both in the Tent and on the Grass Area.   Walk-ins can not be accommodated.  

SECURITY:  We will have a security detail from the County Police and plain clothes security on site.  There will be no parking at the Mt. Kisco Justice Court.  

TENT
At this time there is limited availability in the Tent.  On the form below you can choose Tent seating for the services that still have space.   NOTE:  To reserve limited tent seating this form must be received by Tuesday, September 15, at noon. We will do our best to accommodate you.  

GRASS AREA
We are inviting the wider community to join us on the grass area adjacent to the Tent. The Cantor will be located at the back of the Tent closest to the grass area.  The grass area will be marked off with squares set six feet apart for social distancing. IMPORTANT: You are asked to please bring your own blanket or folding chair for the grass area. Families may sit together on the grass.  The grass area is only available weather permitting.  Please fill out the form below if you wish to attend.  There will be a check-in point upon arriving at the Mt. Kisco Justice Court Parking Lot. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by Thursday, September 17 at 5 pm.  Please complete this form.

CHILDREN:  Children are a vital part of the MKHC community.  However, only men and women above the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah may attend inside the Tent out of an abundance of caution.   Families with children can attend by sitting on the adjacent grass area behind the Tent.  Please bring chairs or a blanket.   Participants on the grass area are also requested to observe social distancing outside their family unit.  Cell phones should be silenced and no photographs are allowed. There is a special family service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah Sunday, September 20 at 4 pm that will include Shofar, Singing and Tashlich.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES IN THE TENT/GRASS AREA - requiring pre-registration
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday night, September 18, 2020  6:30 - 7:00 pm
          [availability Tent and grass area]
Day 1 Rosh Hashanah, Saturday, September 19, 2020 11:00 am - 12:30 pm  Mussaf
          [grass area only]
Day 2 Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, September 20, 2020 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Shofar/Mussaf
          [limited availability Tent and grass area available]

Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur, Sunday night, September 27, 2020  6:30  - 8:00 pm
          [grass area only]
Yom Kippur, Monday, September 28, 2020   11:00 am - 12:30 pm  Yizkor/Mussaf
          [grass area only]
Yom Kippur, Monday, September 28, 2020    6:00 pm - 7:30 pm  Neilah/Concluding
          [limited availability Tent and grass area available]

FAMILY PROGRAM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - does not require pre-registration
Day 2 Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, September 20, 2020  4:00 - 4:30 pm  Shofar Blowing, Singing and Tashlich

KOL NIDRE APPEAL
Due to the need for an abbreviated service on Kol Nidre for health reasons, we will be holding a Virtual High Holiday Fundraising appeal in advance of Yom Kippur to help us underwrite the ongoing costs of our congregation.  We hope that you will each consider not only matching your last year's pledge but will if possible consider an increase to help us cover the additional costs incurred in providing Covid-19 Tent Services.  For those who are guests in our community this year, we hope you will consider a contribution to our community at www.mkhc.org/donate.

YIZKOR
Our Yizkor Remembrance List will be virtual this year.  An abbreviated Yizkor Service will take place on the morning of Yom Kippur in the Tent.  You will receive additional information on how to add a loved one's name to the list.

MACHZORIM/High Holiday Prayer Books
For health reasons we are unable to provide Machzorim at this time.  We use Art Scroll Ashkenaz Editions.

SEATING RESERVATIONS
We were gratified to learn from our tent survey that we have many people who are looking forward to coming together on the High Holidays either in a Tent or in the open air.  Due to social distancing we have not been able to accommodate all who wish to attend in the Tent.  

Seating reservation forms will be taken in the order they are received.  That is particularly important if you wish to request tent seating as there is limited availability. We look forward to being able to accommodate you and your family and ask you to fill out the form below.  

Tent Seating Deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 by noon
Grass Area Seating Deadline:  Thursday, September 17, 2020 by 5 pm

After you submit your reservation form and we are able to process the submissions, we will send you a seating confirmation with all necessary information for High Holiday service attendance. We look forward to coming together for these holidays.

If you have any questions please contact Tracey Bilski at (914) 588-2230 or by email bilskiart@aol.com or Robin Tanzman at (914) 666-6546 or by email rtanzman@aol.com.

MOUNT KISCO HEBREW CONGREGATION
15 Stewart Place
Mount Kisco, New York 10549
www.mkhc.org