CHOOSING SERVICES FOR YOUR FAMILY

At Temple Chai we welcome children of all ages at each of our worship services.  We also have planned special services and programs for certain age groups to ensure a meaningful High Holy Day experience for people and families of all ages and life stages. You know your family best and we encourage you to read through the descriptions of our various services and decide what is best for your family. If you think it would be helpful, we also encourage you to bring quiet (non-electronic) toys, books, or activities for your children to enjoy during services that are not directed specifically for their age group. Please also feel free to stand or walk around with them in the rear of the sanctuary, in the sanctuary lobby where the service can be heard, or in the courtyard if a breath of fresh air is needed.  Children are a joy in our services and we welcome them!  Babysitting is available for children from 0-8 years old during selected services. (Register Here).

SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS

​S’lichot
S'lichot is a special service marking the beginning of the High Holy Days. It is a meaningful and spiritual service of introspection, a taste of High Holy Day melodies, study, and the presence of community. A highlight of the evening will be the changing of the Torah covers to white for the holidays. As part of our S’lichot service, we will experience a Rosh Hashanah seder, a meaningful ritual that blends symbolic foods and blessings, inviting us to step into the new year with purpose, hope, and spiritual intention, rooted in themes of renewal, sweetness, and reflection.
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Prayer Lab – An Experiential Service
Our Prayer Lab service is perfect for those who want to delve more deeply into the High Holy Day experience. We will take the powerful themes of these important days “off the bimah” and put them into your hands for personal contemplation and inspiration. These services are welcoming for beginners and thought-provoking for those already comfortable with prayer. Please note that on Erev Rosh Hashanah, our service will be a marriage of our signature Prayer Lab service style with our familiar evening service.
 
Dorot – Multi-Generational Service
Our Dorot – Multi-Generational Service offers a wonderful spiritual opportunity for all members of our families. Not only is this service welcoming to children of all ages but it will be meaningful for individuals and families of all ages and life stages as the generations of our community come together. These services will be musical, accessible, and feature a story rather than a traditional sermon.
 
Tot Services
Our Tot service is designed for families with children up to age 6 and welcomes older siblings as well. We will sing High Holy Day songs, share about these important holidays in ways appropriate for our youngest community members, and experience the blast of the shofar – all within 30 minutes.
 
Tashlich
Meaningful for all ages and life stages, Tashlich is a very special and brief ritual of music, readings, and carrying out the tradition of symbolically casting off our sins to begin the new year with a clean slate. Tashlich will take place at 4:30pm at Roadrunner Park (3502 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032). 
Please note: out of consideration for the environment and animals, please bring bird seed or duck seed instead of traditional breadcrumbs or bread. Temple Chai will also provide a limited amount of bird seed to those who need.
 
Yom Kippur Afternoon Discussion
Highlights from the Book of Proverbs: Wisdom for our Time
This hour-long learning session led by Lisa Kaiser and Barry Singer will explore key teachings from the Book of Proverbs, guided by Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s modern interpretations.  As we prepare for 5786, the ancient wisdom of Proverbs speaks powerfully to the moral and spiritual complexities of our world today.

Healing Service
Our Healing Service is always a moving moment as Yom Kippur begins to draw to a close. We open our hearts in prayer for loved ones to offer a blessing for well-being of body, mind, and soul. You will have an opportunity to join others embraced in the Shalom Center Mi Shebeirach tapestries, and to be uplifted by the powerful words of “Heal Us Now.”

Yizkor Service
We keenly feel the loss of our dear ones at this time of the Jewish year. The Yizkor (memorial) section of our Yom Kippur services will provide a special space in time and in our hearts to remember our loved ones. 

N'ilah Service
As we near the end of Yom Kippur, we join together in the spiritual crescendo of N'ilah (concluding) prayers and Havdalah, concluding the holiday together through the senses and with joy.