Home For The Holidays, 5th Annual Edition

applesandhoneyIn the beginning, TC Jewfolk set out to provide a one-stop list for anyone and everyone who might still be deciding on what High Holidays services to attend. Now in its fifth iteration, this list is the best place in the Twin Cities to turn for High Holiday options.
Whether you have no idea where to go, or you’re just looking for a change of pace, this list has all your options.
Below, check out our 5th annual listing below of  shuls and minyanim in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area that are opening their doors and hearts to you so that you’ll have a home for the holidays.
The best part about all this, is that time and again synagogues and minyanim in the area have proven that cost should not be a barrier to engaging in the Jewish community. All the options below offer free or heavily discounted tickets for High Holiday services.
Rosh Hashanah begins at nightfall on Wednesday, September 4th and Yom Kippur will be observed beginning at nightfall on Friday, September 13th. Contact communities in advance so that they’re ready to welcome you! And, please make sure to let them know that this list on TC Jewfolk helped you make a connection.
And, don’t worry if a community you were interested in checking out doesn’t appear below. Some weren’t able to get back to us by the time we ‘went to press’ but we’ve never heard of anybody being turned away if arrangements have been made in advance. You can always check out our list of Twin Cities Synagogues if you don’t see the one you were searching for and contact the office to inquire on your own.

Note: if you’re a community leader and would like to be added to the listing below, please email [email protected] with the information and any relevant website links. The listings will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Reform

  • Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnetonka Ever Since Abraham and Sarah opened the flaps of their tent to welcome the strangers on the road, Judaism has benefited from the practice of hachnasat orchim, embracing others, and at Bet Shalom it remains a paramount Jewish value. You are invited to join us for High Holy Day services at no charge. However, since an admission card helps us plan properly, please contact Andrea Blumberg and she will help welcome you and provide what you need to join us for services and other programs at [email protected] or 952-426-6644.
  • Mount Zion Temple A welcoming and vibrant Jewish spiritual home. Mount Zion Temple is a Reform Jewish congregation devoted to life-long learning, worship and acts of loving kindness. In our holy community, we celebrate, comfort, and create meaning in our lives while we seek justice in our world. For a full schedule of High Holy Day services, click here. Tickets are required at each service for every person to help ensure the safety of our community. Non-members can receive tickets by contacting Sheila Schuman at651-698-3881 or sschuman@mzion.org. There is a suggested donation of $54 per ticket. This ticket includes a tear-off for each service. Tickets will be mailed to you up to one week prior to services. After that, we will leave them in an envelope at a Will Call table by the front entrance Not a Member? Come to an open house for prospective members on Sunday, September 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and receive complimentary High Holy Day tickets. Click here for more information.
  • Shir Tikvah Congregation in South Minneapolis. An Open Door:  come one, come all.  That’s just who we are.  Shir Tikvah has no tickets or reserved seats for the High Holy Days. Please note: High Holy Day Services are held at the First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South. Click here for the High Holy Days schedule and more info including information about our Tot and Youth services. Call 612-822-1440 to request a High Holy Day information packet.  Shir Tikvah is a progressive reform congregation that would like to welcome you into our community.  Meet Rabbi Latz and Rabbi Simon at the door on Erev Rosh Hashanah for a sweet treat to begin a sweet new year!
  • Temple Israel  in Minneapolis welcomes all who want to celebrate and observe the High Holy Days with us. Donations accepted, but not required. Admission card required. Contact (612) 374-0324 or [email protected] for an admission card. Temple Israel is an urban congregation, dedicated to serving a diverse community.

Conservative

  • Adath Jeshurun is a “progressive, egalitarian and sacred community dedicated to Torah (Jewish learning and tradition), Avodah (prayer and spirituality) and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of loving kindness)” in Minnetonka. If you’re a young adult and need tickets, please contact Rabbi Aaron Weininger at [email protected]. We’d love to welcome you for services and meals.
  • Beth El Synagogue  in St. Louis Park: We would love for you to join us for the High Holy Days – and the rest of the year, too! Beth El Synagogue is a warm and welcoming egalitarian and spiritual community, where Judaism is relevant and meaningful for all ages. You are invited to come to our services for the High Holy Days at no charge. View our schedule. Please contact Marilyn Weisberg and she can help welcome you to our synagogue for services, programs or even a holiday meal. Email Marilyn at [email protected] or call 952-873-7303
  • Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights welcomes everyone to attend High Holy Days services, and does not use tickets. We look forward to having you join us! Please call our office (651-452-2226) in advance with your name so we can let our greeters know who to look for during services here at Beth Jacob. To arrange hospitality for a meal during the High Holy Days, please contact our office, and we will put you in touch with our hospitality coordinator.
  • Sharei Chesed  in Minnetonka. All are welcome to our house of worship. Because of security, admission passes are required to enter our building during the High Holy Days. If you are planning to attend our services, please call our office at (763) 545-8800 to request a pass and we will mail it to you. We conduct Conservative-style services, with readings in Hebrew and English. Russian siddurim are also available.
  • Temple of Aaron in St. Paul. We issue tickets to all people who attend. We issue free tickets to all college students who call in advance. We issue free tickets to all newcomers between ages 22 and 30. Those who have reached the age of wisdom (30) need to contact our Executive Director Ken Agranoff ([email protected] or 651-698-8874,ext 106) to explore free tickets, service options, or purchasing tickets. Shanah tovah! You are always welcome at Temple of Aaron! We also have a special learning opportunity with Rabbi Jeremy Fine during services for our TAXY (Temple of Aaron Generations X and Y) group. Check out more at www.templeofaaron.org.

Orthodox/Traditional

  • AISH Minnesota in St. Louis Park offers a FREE explanatory service for anyone who has ever sat at a High Holiday Service bored stiff. Engage your heart and your mind in understanding what this unique Jewish New Year means and its relevance in your life today! Go to www.aishmn.org to register.
  • Minneapolis Chabad in Minnetonka. All are welcome at Chabad of Minneapolis’ services. Join us for traditional services blended with contemporary messages in a warm and welcoming environment with user-friendly prayer books. Services are free, no membership or affiliation necessary. For more information, call 952-929-9922 or visit www.chabadminneapolis.com.

Other/Independent

  • Hillel at the University of Minnesota will continue its rich tradition of spirited High Holiday services, as well as an Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner, and a post Yom Kippur break-fast. As always, Hillel’s services are offered free of charge to students.  The public is welcome and no tickets are required.  In order to maintain our level of service to the students, we would greatly appreciate a voluntary donation from non-students of $125 for individuals to attend services, or $200 for a family. You can just show up for services.  If you plan to attend any of the meals you must RSVP. Erev Yom Kippur kosher meat dinner is $18 per person and an RSVP is required by Monday September 9. Please specify if you require vegetarian or special meal. Send your check made out to Hillel with names of attendees to Hillel at 1521 University Ave. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414. Call Hillel with questions 612-379-4026
  • Makom Shalom, a Jewish women’s sacred circle, will celebrate 2nd Day Rosh HaShanah on Friday, 9/6 from 10-12:30. Makom Shalom embraces a myriad of Jewish practices and our goal is to encounter and embody holiness and shalom. Our service will be led by Sharon Jaffe who received sm’icha as Kohenet from Rabbi Jill Hammer, Shoshana Jedwab and Holly Taya Shere. A kohenet is a Jewish ritual leader, keeper of sacred time and space, in the feminist traditions of our peoples. Chanting, dance, meditation, poetry, davenen/prayer from 10-12:30 at 5000 Girard Ave So., Mpls (Shir Tikvah). Eco-kosher potluck follows (vegan, vegetarian and fish welcome). All are welcome – bring your shofar and your friends! Questions? Call 612-860-6500 or email [email protected]
  • Mayim Rabim Congregation is a warm and eclectic Jewish Reconstructionist community in South Minneapolis; we meet at the Friends Meeting House in the Linden Hills neighborhood at 44th & York Ave S. You are welcome to join us for any of our services and activities throughout the year and can check our schedule at mayimrabim.org. Services will be led by Rabbi Sharon Stiefel and congregants. For Rosh Hashanah, we will gather on Sun—Wed., 9/4, at 6:00 PM and again on Thu, 9/5, from 9:00 AM to 1:00, followed by a potluck, dairy lunch and Tashlich over at Lake Harriet.  Services for the second day of Rosh Hashanah are Fri, 9/6 from 9:30 AM to 12:30. Yom Kippur begins on Fri, 9/13, with Kol Nidre at 6:15 PM. Sat, 9/14, includes services beginning at 10:00 AM, a 4:00 study session, a 5:15 closing service, and a dairy potluck break-fast meal after the sun sets, at 7:25. There is children’s programming from 10:00 to noon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and childcare is provided throughout all morning services. Donations are encouraged, but everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay.  For questions, call Patty Diamond at 612-247-5490 or write [email protected]. Shanah Tovah!
  • Or Emet, The Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, extends a warm invitation to its 2013 High Holidays celebrations at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 South Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park (http://www.sabesjcc.org/directions.htm). Rosh Hashanah Service: 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 4, 2013. Kol Nidre Service: 7:00 pm, Friday, September 13, 2013. Yom Kippur Service: 4:00 pm, Saturday, September 14, 2013. Everyone is welcome. No tickets are required but donations are appreciated. Childcare will be provided (RSVP required. E-mail: [email protected]). Or Emet celebrates Humanistic Judaism’s proud tradition of leadership in social movements for peace and justice.  Our programs emphasize Jewish history, culture, arts and the traditions that shape our identity and values.

(Photo: Robert Couse-Baker)