Dear Toras Chaim Family,
As the year draws to a close, we enter a season devoted to introspection, retrospection, and turning our eyes toward the future year and all the potential that it holds. This past year has been a time of incredible change and growth for our shul. We have more shiurim and learning opportunities than ever and our minyanim are going strong! Our building campaign is off to an excellent start, and we will soon be updating the entire shul on its progress. Most important of all, though, is that we have merited so many new phenomenal friends and members whose participation in our congregation is welcome with truly heartfelt gratitude.
Each year, we look to host meaningful, sincere davening that aims to exceed the heights reached in previous years. This year, taking into account the current size of the congregation we are going to need more space to make this goal possible. Torah Day School of Dallas has graciously allowed us to use their facilities for Rosh HaShannah (Sept. 16th, 17th, 18th) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 25th & 26th) davening.
This arrangement will not only provide us with more space, but also the opportunity for improved child care during services, and for larger attendance (which, Bâ€H, we are expecting!)
With that this in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to answer some questions about this years davening. Please feel free to email me directly if you have any comments or concerns – I greatly appreciate your feedback; it is tremendously helpful.
HIGH HOLIDAY FAQS
- How much are tickets this year?The board did it’s very best to maintain ticket prices at the same level as last year.
Early-Bird Price:Â Early-bird discounts of $50 per ticket apply if paid by 11 PM, Sunday, Sept 2, 2012.
- Members are $150 per ticket. Add $150 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
- Associate Members are $200 per ticket. Add $200 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
- Non Members are $300 per ticket. Add $300 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
Regular (Non-Early Bird) Price:
- Members are $200 per ticket. Add $200 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
- Associate Members are $250 per ticket. Add $250 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
- Non Members are $350 per ticket. Add $350 for the rest of the family (spouse and/or children).
Childcare is $20/per child/day. If you are unclear if your membership is in good standing, please contact me. You may pay by check or through our
- What if I cannot afford those prices? The CTC board wants to make paying for your holiday tickets as easy as possible for you. While we will not be able to discount prices this year, we certainly would be happy to allow you to pay off your ticket(s) in installments. You can either give us post-dated checks to cover the price, or set up a monthly donation on the CTC website donor portal. I’d be happy to help you make these arrangements.
- What is the deadline to buy tickets? Technically, the deadline is Sunday 9/16, the day before Rosh Hashana. However, it is always best to purchase your tickets as early as possible. Ticket sales are already open.
- What if I’m only coming to Rosh Hashana but not Yom Kippur, or vice versa? May I purchase a seat for one, and not the other? To be guaranteed of a seat you need to buy a ticket for the entire holiday period. We apologize, but we cannot sell seats for only Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur.
- What will the seating arrangement be like at TDSD? We anticipate having adequate space to accommodate both men and women. There will be a free standing mechitza that should allow the shul women to hear the davening clearly.
- I can’t resist the urge to talk during davening. Where can I schmooze? The parking lot and playground are perfect for taking a break during davening. Usual CTC shul decorum during davening will, of course, be observed.
- Who are the chazzanim this year? For Rosh Hashana we are thrilled to welcome back Mark Gothelf (Monsey, NY), and Rabbi Tzvi Lewis (Dallas, TX). I believe all these men have the potential to bring us to heights we’ve never experienced before at CTC. Looking forward!
- Is there childcare this year? We will have supervised childcare on the playground and indoors at TDSD.
- Is there a concern about parking? The TDSD parking lot will be available to us.
As a congregation, the spiritual commitment of our member families is strong and, equally important, the friendship and closeness of our member families for one another is easily felt. We are blessed to have a dynamic Rav and Rebbetzin who have generously opened their home to the Shul as we work toward building ourselves a permanent space. These factors together provide us with all the potential needed for terrific tefillah.
If there is anything I did not cover please contact me by telephone at 903-828-7343, or by email at [email protected]
On behalf of the CTC Executive and Advisory Boards, we wish everyone to written and sealed for a happy, healthy, sweet new year, filled with continued growth in all areas of your relationship with Hashem.
Rabbi Avraham Bloomenstiel
President, Congregation Toras Chaim