Honors

How It Works

Many have the custom to connect a High Holiday honor with a pledge or donation to tzedakah. This is not meant to be a competition, but rather a meaningful opportunity to sponsor a special part of the davening and support Chabad’s open-door High Holiday services.

You may sponsor an honor for yourself, for a family member, in memory of a loved one, or in merit of someone who needs blessing. Both the sponsor and the person receiving the honor share in the merit of the mitzvah and the blessing it brings.

Suggested donations are listed as a guide. Please contact Rabbi Mendy to discuss what may be meaningful for you or your family.

An Open Door for Every Jew

Chabad of North Phoenix welcomes every Jew to participate in High Holiday services, regardless of background, affiliation, or financial status. Sponsoring an honor helps make these meaningful services available to the entire community in a true spirit of Ahavas Yisroel.

Explore the High Holiday Honors

Below are many of the special honors available during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Petichah / Opening the Aron HaKodesh

The Aron HaKodesh is the holiest space in the synagogue. At special moments during the service, the Ark is opened as the congregation stands in prayer. Opening the Aron HaKodesh is a powerful honor, symbolizing the opening of the gates of prayer and blessing.

This honor is especially meaningful during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when we ask Hashem for blessing, compassion, forgiveness, and a sweet new year.

Aliyah / Being Called to the Torah

The Torah is a tangible gift from Hashem. Being called to the Torah is called an Aliyah, which means an elevation. It is a moment of connection, blessing, and spiritual uplift.

Each Aliyah sponsored brings a personal connection and blessing to the sponsor, the honoree, and the community.

Repetition of the Amidah — Opening the Ark

Opening the Ark during the repetition of the Amidah is a moment of deep prayer. The one who opens the Ark stands as an emissary together with the chazzan and the congregation, helping open the gates through which our prayers ascend and blessings descend.

Suggested donation: $100

Avinu Malkeinu

Avinu Malkeinu, “Our Father, Our King,” is one of the central prayers of the High Holidays. Sponsoring this honor connects a person with the powerful request that Hashem answer our prayers with compassion, blessing, and kindness.

Suggested donation: $180

Unesaneh Tokef

Unesaneh Tokef is one of the most stirring prayers of the High Holidays. It reminds us of the holiness of the day and the power of teshuvah, tefillah, and tzedakah to bring blessing and sweetness into the year ahead.

Suggested donation: $150

Opening the Ark for the Torah Reading

Opening the Ark and removing the Torah scrolls is a special honor, associated with opening a treasure of blessing from Above. It is especially meaningful as the Torah is brought out before the congregation on Rosh Hashanah.

Suggested donation: $100

Raising the Torah Scroll / Hagbah

When the Torah is lifted before the congregation, everyone sees the holy letters and responds with reverence. By raising the Torah, one elevates the Torah reading and shares in the merit of the Aliyahs that came before.

Suggested donation: $100 per Torah

Wrapping the Torah Scroll / Gelilah

Gelilah completes the Torah reading by wrapping and preparing the Torah scroll with honor. There is a teaching that “everything follows the conclusion,” making this a meaningful closing honor.

Suggested donation: $54 per Torah

First Aliyah — Kohen

The first day Torah reading begins with the story of Hashem remembering Sarah and blessing her with Yitzchak. This Aliyah is associated with blessing for children, joy, and nachas.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Second Aliyah — Levi

This Aliyah includes Hashem’s promise that Avraham’s future will continue through Yitzchak. It is associated with blessing, family continuity, and pride in one’s children.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Third Aliyah

This Aliyah reminds us that a person is judged according to their present state. It is a powerful message of teshuvah, mercy, and the opportunity for renewal on Rosh Hashanah.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Fourth Aliyah

This section speaks of Avraham and Avimelech making peace and establishing trust. It is associated with blessing for peace, security, and harmony.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Fifth Aliyah

Avraham plants an eishel, a place of hospitality for travelers. This Aliyah is associated with the merit and blessing to provide kindness, hospitality, and support to others.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Maftir

The Haftorah tells the moving story of Chana’s heartfelt prayer and the blessing she received. It is associated with sincere prayer, answered requests, and deep personal blessing.

Suggested donation: $1,000

First Aliyah — Kohen

The second day reading focuses on Akeidas Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac, which took place on Rosh Hashanah and is recalled in the merit of the Shofar.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Second Aliyah — Levi

Avraham and Yitzchak walked together with one purpose. This Aliyah is associated with parents and children moving together toward a life of purpose and connection to Hashem.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Third Aliyah

This Aliyah is connected with the place that would become Yerushalayim, a name combining awe, vision, peace, and wholeness. It is associated with blessing for peace and security.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Fourth Aliyah

Hashem blesses Avraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore. This Aliyah is associated with abundant blessing and increase.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Fifth Aliyah

The birth of Rivkah is announced. This Aliyah is associated with blessing to raise children and grandchildren in Torah, chuppah, and good deeds.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Maftir

The Haftorah recalls Rachel weeping for her children and the promise of redemption. This honor is associated with hope, compassion, and the ultimate return of the Jewish people.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Holding a Torah During Shofar Blowing

Holding a Sefer Torah during the Shofar blowing is one of the most treasured Rosh Hashanah honors. The Torah holders stand together with the Baal Tokeia as the community fulfills the central mitzvah of the day.

Suggested donation: $180 per Torah

Opening the Ark for Kol Nidrei

Opening the Ark at the beginning of Yom Kippur is a deeply moving honor. It symbolizes the opening of the gates of Heaven as the congregation begins the holiest day of the year in prayer, humility, and hope.

Suggested donation: $540

Holding the First Torah Scroll

Holding a Torah during Kol Nidrei is among the most meaningful Yom Kippur honors. The Torah holders stand with the chazzan as the congregation begins the journey of forgiveness and renewal.

Suggested donation: $1,800

Holding the Second Torah Scroll

The second Torah holder shares in the powerful moment of Kol Nidrei, standing with the Torah as the community enters Yom Kippur together.

Suggested donation: $1,018

Repetition of the Amidah — Opening the Ark

Opening the Ark during the Yom Kippur prayers is a moment of heartfelt supplication, asking Hashem to accept our teshuvah and shower the community with blessing.

Suggested donation: $100

Opening the Ark and Removing the Torah Scrolls

Opening the Ark and removing the Torah scrolls for the Yom Kippur Torah reading is associated with opening channels of blessing and mercy from Above.

Suggested donation: $100

Kohen

The Yom Kippur Torah reading describes the holy service of the Kohen Gadol in the Beis Hamikdash. This Aliyah is connected with atonement, closeness to Hashem, and the holiness of the day.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Levi

The Levi Aliyah is connected with the Kohen Gadol praying for his household and extended family. It is associated with blessing and atonement for one’s family.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Shlishi

This Aliyah emphasizes that Hashem dwells among the Jewish people. It is associated with closeness to the Divine Presence and a deeper connection with Hashem.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Revi’i

This Aliyah speaks of confession and atonement. It is associated with the power of teshuvah to cleanse, renew, and bring a person close to Hashem.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Chamishi

“For on this day He will atone for you.” This Aliyah connects to the essence of Yom Kippur itself, a day of atonement, purity, and renewal.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Shishi

This Aliyah emphasizes the eternal nature of Yom Kippur and the unique oneness of the day, the service, and the Jewish people before Hashem.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Haftorah

The Yom Kippur Haftorah from Isaiah teaches that true repentance is expressed through kindness, charity, sincerity, and changing one’s ways. Sponsoring this honor is connected with the power of tzedakah and inner renewal.

Suggested donation: $1,000

Raising the Torah Scrolls / Hagbah

Raising the Torah scrolls allows the entire congregation to see and honor the Torah. This honor is connected with the merit of all the Aliyahs that came before it.

Suggested donation: $100 per Torah

Dressing the Torah Scrolls / Gelilah

Dressing the Torah scrolls completes the Torah reading with dignity and care. It is a beautiful honor that may also be given to a child.

Suggested donation: $72 per Torah

Opening the Ark and Removing the Torah

Opening the Aron HaKodesh for Mincha on Yom Kippur is a meaningful honor as the day moves toward its final and most intense prayers.

Suggested donation: $100

Kohen

The Mincha Torah reading teaches about living by Hashem’s laws. This Aliyah is associated with renewed energy, life, and enthusiasm in mitzvos.

Suggested donation: $360

Levi

This Aliyah is connected with teshuvah and spiritual refinement, especially in areas where a person seeks renewed strength and holiness.

Suggested donation: $360

Maftir Yonah

Maftir Yonah is one of the most important honors of Yom Kippur. The story of Yonah teaches that sincere teshuvah can transform even the most difficult decree and open the door to Hashem’s mercy.

Suggested donation: $5,000

Opening the Ark for Neilah

Neilah is the final prayer of Yom Kippur, the closing of the gates. Opening the Aron HaKodesh during Neilah is one of the most powerful honors of the day, associated with the deepest level of the soul, long life, and the final sealing for a good and sweet year.

Suggested donation: $12,600

To Reserve or Sponsor an Honor

To sponsor an honor, dedicate an honor in memory or merit of someone, or discuss what would be meaningful for your family, please contact Rabbi Mendy.

L’Shanah Tovah — may you and your family be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.