HHDs 2024 Offsite FAQs

We realize you may have questions regarding our decision to hold much of our High Holy Day services offsite. We hope the following may answer some of your questions:

Q: Who made this decision? And why?
A: The idea came originally from Rabbi Nemitoff. After discussing it with our clergy team and staff — and receiving their agreement — he brought it to our Board of Directors, who ultimately were the ones to approve the plan. Rabbi Nemitoff explained the “why” in this video. He feels it is important for the whole congregation to be together as one community, physically and spiritually. With the exception of Erev Rosh Hashanah, our normal attendance would preclude us from being at Beth Am for just one main service. Since we can accommodate everyone on Erev Rosh Hashanah, we thought it was a lovely idea to begin our High Holy Days in our own home. (Also, as it turns out, the church has its own programming on Wednesday nights and wasn’t available to us for Erev Rosh Hashanah.)

Q: Where are we going? When are we going there?
A: The place is called Cathedral of Faith. It is located at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave, in San Jose. We will be there for all services and programming for Rosh Hashanah day and Yom Kippur except for Erev Rosh Hashanah (when we will be in our Sanctuary — first for our Tot Rosh Hashanah Service and Dinner (outdoors); and next for our main Erev Rosh Hashanah service). Tashlich, on Rosh Hashanah afternoon, will be at Baylands Sailing Station, as in previous years.

Q: That is so far away and traffic is going to be difficult. Do you have plans to address this?
A: Well, we can’t do anything about traffic. BUT… be aware that for our daytime and morning services, normal traffic patterns are very light since it is a reverse commute direction. AND, if you choose not to drive, Beth Am is providing a FREE shuttle transportation service from Beth Am to and from Cathedral of Faith.

Q: What is this going to cost us? Is it going to be expensive?
A: In the past, we have incurred significant costs while using offsite locations for High Holy Days. This year — and this location — is surprisingly very cost effective. In fact, it will cost us much less than what we paid to hold High Holy services at any prior offsite location. Because of the facility’s desire to partner with us, and their amazing onsite a/v capabilities, we won’t have to spend money on outside a/v, as we have in the past. Our costs are incredibly reasonable and will not adversely affect our budget.

Q: How are we going to eat our holiday dinners if we need to go so early to get to our services?
A: Recognizing that traffic, especially for Kol Nidre (which is on a Friday night), might be congested, we are starting both our Erev Rosh Hashanah and Erev Yom Kippur services at 7:45 PM. We hope these later times will allow everyone to have relaxing and meaningful holiday dinners before our services.

Q: What are the security arrangements?
A: The good news is that the facility we are going to has fewer access points than our own campus. We will have our increased contingent of professional security personnel for our High Holy Days. And for both Erev Rosh Hashanah at Beth Am and for all services at Cathedral of Faith, we will coordinate with local law enforcement offices. We expect that they will increase their police presence during our services.

Q: What if we have other questions or concerns?
A: We want to hear them and we will answer them all to the best of our ability. Call or email Jeremy Ragent, our Executive Director, at (650) 493-4661, ext. 206; jeremy_ragent@betham.org. Or contact any of our clergy. Any will be happy to speak with you and together with you, will find the answers you seek.