Why does B ai Jacob sell high holiday tickets?
There are actually two reasons. The first is for practical and economic considerations. The Synagogue has to be set up for the holidays. This requires additional help to set up the additional pews, hiring a carpenter to repair many of our pews, and bringing a cantor for this holiday season. The dues simply do not cover operating expenses, let alone the additional expenses accrued because of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Selling of tickets, therefore, has become a good way to help alleviate some of the financial burdens during this time of year. There is a religious reason for selling tickets which is also very important. There is a strong tradition in our faith to have what is called a “makom kavua”, an established place or seat at services. There is something sacred and holy about praying in a fixed seat year after year, possibly even in the same section or row that a grandfather or mother sat every holiday. To allow people to reserve such a seat, many congregations, like B’nai Jacob,
