Please Join Us

Or Shalom welcomes members, visitors, friends and family to join us for High Holidays. 

For non-members, register here.

For those who are uncomfortable with in-person events or are unable to attend, our services will all be live-streamed on YouTube. 

Register for childcare here.

Please reference the below schedule for details:

Sept 28	8-10pm	Leil Selichot Program	18+	Or Shalom	In person
		An interactive program of storytelling on the theme of “Mending” in collaboration with Carol Ann Fried and Playback Theater friends.
Oct 2	5-6pm	Erev Rosh Hashanah	All Ages	Or Shalom	In Person
		Candle lighting and evening service.
Oct 3	9am-1pm	Rosh Hashanah (Day 1)	All Ages	JCC	Live Stream
		8:30am Doors open 9am-1pm Childcare available
		10:15am-11:30am   Kids: Story, Shofar & unrolling the whole Torah
	4-5pm	Tashlich	All Ages	Canoe Bridge	In Person
		Poetic reflection, Shofar, and cruller donuts
Oct 4	9am-1pm	Rosh Hashanah (Day 2)	All Ages	JCC	Live Stream
		8:30am Doors open 9am-1pm Childcare available
Oct 5	10am-12pm	Cascadian Shabbat Shuva	All Ages	QE Park	In Person
		Please meet above the duck pond and bring a picnic lunch. Location Pin.
Oct 11	6-9pm	Erev Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre	All Ages	JCC	Live Stream
		Please wear white  5:15PM Doors Open 6-9pm Childcare available
Oct 12	9am-1pm	Yom Kippur Morning Service	All Ages	JCC	Live Stream
		Please wear white 8:30AM Doors Open 9am-1pm Childcare available
	4:15-7:30pm	Yom Kippur Afternoon Service	All Ages	JCC	Live Stream
		3:30pm Doors open
		4:15-7:30pm Childcare available
		4:15pm   Yizkor
		5:00pm   Mincha
		5:45pm   Neilah
		7:15pm   Final Shofar Blast
Oct 14	10:30am-1pm	Community Sukkah Build	18+	Or Shalom	In Person
	3-5pm	Sukkah Decorating for All	All Ages	Or Shalom	In Person
Oct 17	10am – 12pm	Sukkot Service & Potluck	All Ages	Or Shalom	In Person
Oct 18	5:30-8pm	Kabbalat Shabbat & Sukkah Potluck		Or Shalom	In Person
	7:30-8:30pm	Jewlicious Songs in the Sukkah	⪅ 40	Or Shalom	In Person
Oct 19	10am-12pm	Shabbat Sukkot & Shabbat Sheli    1-2pm Yizkor support group	All Ages	Or Shalom	In person
Oct 20	6-9pm	JQT Sukkah Party	All Ages	Or Shalom	In Person
Oct 24	6:30pm	Yizkor Service		Or Shalom	In Person
	7-9pm	Erev Simchat Torah	All Ages	Or Shalom	In Person

Or Shalom High Holidays FAQ

1. Is attendance at High Holiday services included in Or Shalom Membership?

Yes, attendance at all High Holiday services is included in Or Shalom membership. Members simply need to arrive at the Jewish Community Centre and check in with the security desk.

2. Can visitors attend High Holiday services?

Yes, we welcome visitors to attend our services. We ask that you contribute to the cost of these services by donating to Or Shalom. Suggested donations per individual are:

• Adult: $384
• Young Adult (18-24): $54
• Child: $18
  We also offer a “Pay What You Can” option. Please email office@orshalom.ca to inquire. 

3. How can I make a High Holiday donation?

High Holidays donations can be made online, by cheque, or by calling the office at 604-872-1614.

4. Is there reserved seating or official tickets for High Holiday services?

No, Or Shalom does not have reserved seating or official tickets. Simply check in with the security desk when you arrive.

5. Are there any security considerations this year?

Please note there will be added security upon entry as well as bag checks. Please consider arriving a few minutes early.

6. Do you offer a hybrid service?

Or Shalom offers a livestream for those unable to attend in person. While there is no fee to access the livestream, we encourage viewers to make a donation to help cover the additional expenses incurred during the High Holidays. Donations can be made here.

7. Which prayer book (Machzor) is used during the High Holiday services?

Or Shalom uses the Jules Harlow Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. For those attending in person, copies will be available. If you have a personal edition, please bring it with you, but don’t leave it unattended on seats as it may be accidentally collected by volunteers.

8. Is there a dress code for the High Holidays?

It is our tradition to please wear white for all Yom Kippur services.

Tremendous effort has been made to hold space for our broad congregation. At this delicate time, we ask that participants at services please refrain from wearing garments and symbols of political affiliation that may distract from our collective prayers and devotion to peace.

9. When will Childcare be offered?

Dear Families,

We’re so excited to welcome you and your loved ones to our High Holiday services this year! As we gather together, we want to ensure that everyone—especially our little ones—feels safe and cared for. This year, the JCC Norman Rothstein Theatre will occasionally be in use during services, and with current events in mind, we’ve enhanced our security measures to create a safe and peaceful environment for all.

To help with this, we kindly ask that children remain either with their family in the sanctuary or with our childminding staff in the Seniors Lounge. When moving between spaces, we ask that children are accompanied by a parent, guardian, responsible adult, or childminder, as unsupervised roaming around the building isn’t permitted.

Thank you so much for your understanding and support. We look forward to celebrating with you. 

Thurs Oct 3, Rosh Hashanah Day 1: 9am – 1pm 

Fri Oct 4, Rosh Hashanah Day 2: 9am – 1pm 

Fri Oct 11, Erev Yom Kippur: 6pm – 9pm 

Sat Oct 12, Yom Kippur Morning Service: 9am – 1pm 

Sat Oct 12, Yom Kippur Afternoon Service: 4:15pm – 7:30pm 

10. How do I register my children for childcare and youth programming during the High Holidays?

If you would like your children to participate in the childcare and youth programming, please register in advance so that we can better prepare for your children. The registration link can be found here. 

11. Where will childcare be held, and what ages is it for?

Childcare for ages 5+ will be held in the Seniors Lounge at the JCC. Signage will be available at the JCC with directions to that room.

12. Will snacks be provided for children during the High Holidays?

Yes, Or Shalom will provide snacks. If your child has dietary restrictions, we can refrigerate any meal brought by parents.

13. Is there a place to park strollers at the JCC?

Yes, there will be a dedicated stroller parking area inside the Wosk Auditorium so that parents can attend services with their children.

14. Will you be unrolling the Torah?

Yes! On October 3rd 10:15am we will focus on children, with a story, a blowing of the shofar & unrolling the whole Torah as a community. 

15. How can I contribute if I’m watching the High Holiday services via livestream?

Thank you for asking! Donations can be made online, by cheque, or by calling the office at 604-872-1614.

16. What is “Empty Your Pockets”?

“Empty Your Pockets” is Or Shalom’s annual Tzedakah drive. Each year the Tikkun Olam committee takes suggestions for Tzedakah recipients. Or Shalom is committed to tikkun olam, repairing injustice and inequity in the world.  

Tzedakah is collected in person at Erev Yom Kippur in the tradition to empty your pockets of any cash before entering the sanctuary for Kol Nidre, and, like last year, there is also a virtual “Empty Your Pockets” option to give electronically. Click Empty Your Pockets for this year’s recipients. Donate here.

17. Are you collecting food donations?

Yes, we are collecting non-perishable food items for JFS’ Project Isaiah. All items can be dropped off at the JCC and at Or Shalom during our services. Donate here