Holidays

The B’nai Vail congregation welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds and branches of Judaism to celebrate holidays with us. Our holiday services are designed to be inclusive and friendly, and offer a bit of tradition mixed with our unique informal mountain style and always a creative touch. See the calendar to learn of holiday celebrations and observances.

Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur

Because of our diverse community, Rabbi Newman designs and publishes an original B’nai Vail machzor to include traditional prayers while inspiring a meaningful experience with a variety of English readings. Cantor Michelle leads the congregation in familiar holiday liturgy and is accompanied by piano, cello and violin. These exceptional services are inclusive, participatory and offer a poignant and inspirational message.

B’nai Vail offers services on both evenings before, and the mornings of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. Tashlich, or the casting of sins upon the water, takes place on the creek beside the chapel immediately after Rosh Hashannah services, and is followed by a reservation-only luncheon at the Sonnenalp hotel. On Yom Kippur, the closing Neilah service and a community break-the-fast closes the holy days.

All services except Neilah, are held at the Vail Interfaith Chapel, with dates and times available in the newsletter or calendar. Neilah and the community break-the-fast are held at the Edwards Interfaith Chapel.

Volunteers are asked to sign-up to participate in the English readings, Torah readings and various honors during these services.  Childcare for children under the age of 10 is provided during the morning services.

We do not issue “tickets” but we check people in at the door for all Holidays.  Member Family guests $50, Non-Member High Holiday Admission is $150 per person per Holiday or $250 for both Holidays.  Please contact the office to purchase and get on our admission list.  (970) 477-2992 or [email protected]

High Holiday Services & Events Schedule – 5779 (2019-2020)

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 29th – Vail Chapel
7:00 pm Congregational Service

Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 30th – Vail Chapel*
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Congregational Service
Children’s programming will run concurrently, (NO DROP IN CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED) rsvp to [email protected]

12:30 pm Tashlich Service immediately following on
Gore Creek behind the Chapel. Generously underwritten by Alice Leeds in memory of her father, Jack Leeds.

1:00 pm Luncheon at Ludwig’s Restaurant in the Sonnenalp Resort, generously underwritten by the Lautenberg Family, (RESERVATIONS AND PRE-PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED – THIS SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR), rsvp to [email protected]

Kol Nidre
Tuesday, October 8th – Vail Chapel
7:00 pm Congregational Service

Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 9th – Vail Chapel*
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Congregational Service including Yizkor Prayers (Reading of Family Names Before Neilah).
Children’s programming will run concurrently, (no charge but reservations required) – rsvp to [email protected]

Neilah
Wednesday, October 9th – Edwards Chapel*
4:00 pm Yom Kippur Discussion
5:00 pm Reading of Departed Family & Friends Names
5:30 pm Neila and Closing Services
6:30 pm Havdalah and Community Break-the fast generously underwritten by the Futernick Family, (no charge but reservations requested).