FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Must you be a member to attend? Membership is not required to attend High Holidays; however, admission to all services is included with membership. If you are not a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and would like to attend High Holiday services, we welcome you to join us. We ask, however, that all non members RSVP by contacting our office at 556-0528 or by email at cbshalom@qwestoffice.net, so we can assure adequate space. You may also make your reservations by clicking on the button on the right of this page. We suggest a $100 donation per non-member, for those able to afford it, to cover all High Holiday services. We depend on these contributions to keep our synagogue running.

Are musical instruments used during services? Yes, as progressive Jews, we believe that instrumental music, when done with a sense of yiddishkite, can deepen the prayer experience and bring communities together. Instruments were used in Temple times, and the Psalms direct that we praise G!d with all sorts of instruments.

I grew up in an Orthodox synagogue where women had to sit separately and were not permitted to read Torah and participate equally with men in parts of the service. What is the policy here? At Beth Shalom, we are inclusive AND egalitarian, which means that women are treated as equals. Women fully participate, which means that women lead prayers, read Torah, may wear tallitot and kippot (if they choose), sit together with their families, may receive aliyot (honors) and are otherwise given equal status to men. Our guest cantorial soloists, who will co-lead our prayers, are women.

Are non-Jews welcome? Yes. While the services are Jewish services, non-Jews who wish to share our traditions are welcome. Non-Jewish family members of Jews are especially welcome. Since many of our congregation are intermarried, we are especially sensitive to these concerns and seek to welcome and make our services comfortable for non-Jewish family members.

The services where I grew up were all in Hebrew and were difficult to follow. Can I expect the same here? No. The services are in Hebrew and English. Most of all, Rabbi Ed strives to make them meaningful so that they impact our lives in real ways.

Is childcare provided? Yes, for Erev RH, RH morning, Kol Nidre, and YK morning. If you will be bringing children who require childcare, please RSVP to Michelle Gantt at 587-2826, so we know how many sitters will be needed.

I am from outside Bozeman. Where will I stay? If you give us advance notice, we will try to arrange home hospitality for our guests who have come to attend High Holiday services, but who reside outside of Bozeman.