Home For The Holidays, 6th Annual Edition

rosh hashanahThis is now the 6th year that TC Jewfolk has provided details for High Holiday observance. Six years! In that time it’s become an invaluable resource for many in our community, as well as those returning home for a visit, in finding a shul at which to worship. This is as comprehensive a list as we could muster 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.

Whether you have no idea where to go, or you’re just looking for a change of pace, this list has all your options.

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 24th and Yom Kippur will be observed beginning at nightfall on Friday, October 3rd. 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 benefitted 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 the Temple office at 651-698-3881 or ordering them online here. There is a suggested donation of $54 per ticket. 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 7, 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 Rodich 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. We welcome all who seek a sense of connection and a way for ancient Jewish wisdom to speak to our lives on the High Holy Days. If you’re a young adult and need a friendly place to call home for a home-cooked holiday meal or a dynamic prayer experience for yourself and/or somebody else, please contact Rabbi Aaron Weininger at [email protected] or click here. Come as you are, we are everybody-friendly and would love to welcome you. There is no required charge for young adults to attend High Holy Days services or meals when you sign up here. If you feel moved to support the community we’re creating together, please make a contribution in an amount meaningful to you, whether that’s $1 or more. There will be a free catered lunch  for college-age students on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 26 from 12-1pm at Adath. Please  register by September 12 to Darlene Davis, Rabbis’ Assistant at [email protected].
  • 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 Abbe Payton, our Director of Engagement and Outreach, and she can help welcome you to our synagogue for services, programs or even a holiday meal. Email Abbe at apayton@bethelsynagogue.org or call 952-873-7303,  For more High Holy Day information, visit: www.besyn.org/hhd5775
  • 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 Chaim Singer-Frankes during services for our TAXY (Temple of Aaron Generations X and Y) group. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur morning we offer an exciting and participatory Family Service. Day 2 of Rosh Hashanah Temple of Aaron offers a creative service around this year’s theme of Shir Chadash (A New Song). We will explore Judaism through different avenues of music. Check out more at www.templeofaaron.org. Sermons: Day 1 Rosh Hashanah – Reality is Reality. Day 2 Rosh Hashanah – How We Fit Into a Growing Anti-Israel/Anti-Semitic World. Yom Kippur Yizkor – The Death of Mourning.

Orthodox/Traditional

  • AISH Minnesota: GET OUT OF SERVICES FREE!  Join up with Aish Minnesota’s dynamic speaker Lori Palatnik who will entertain, engage and inspire you over Rosh Hashana.  This promises to be a memorable New Year with a high profile speaker for classes and all the amenities of synagogue services nearby.  For more details see our full schedule HERE.
  • Congregation Darchei Noam is a Modern Orthodox congregation in St. Louis Park. They welcome students of all ages along with their families. No ticket is required to attend services. For more information, directions, and a full schedule of services and baalei tefillah, contact the shul directly.
  • 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. Join for a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal, Wednesday evening, September 24. No cost, advance reservation required. For more information, call 952-929-9922 email [email protected] or visit www.chabadminneapolis.com.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

  • Chabad at the University of Minnesota: Our Services are warm, user freindly and personal. We’ve designed the Services so that you can actually enjoy! Try us – you will not be disappointed.
    *All Services and meals will be held in The Chabad House at 1121 University Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55414
  • Hillel at the University of Minnesota will be trying something new this year and helping facilitate students to attend community wide High Holiday observances. If you want to be set up with a synagogue or event, please follow this link. Along with this, we will be hosting an Erev Rosh Hashanah service and dinner, Wednesday September 24th beginning at 6:00 PM, please RSVP to Justin at [email protected] by Monday September 15th, we hope you join us!
  • Makom Shalom Rosh HaShanah, Second Day. Friday, September 26, 10 am -12:30 pm followed by an eco-kosher potluck follows; vegan, vegetarian, fish foods welcome 1360 W Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis (ShirTikvah). Chanting, Dance, Meditation, Poetry, Davenen/Prayer, Torah TIme, Shofar Blasts. ALL ARE WELCOME. Please bring your shofar and your friends. Rosh HaShanah, organized by Makom Shalom, a Jewish women’s sacred circle, is a time of renewal of self and community.  Makom Shalom embraces a myriad of Jewish practices to encounter and embody holiness and shalom. Service will be led by Sharon Jaffe who received sm’icha as Kohenet. A Kohenet is a Jewish ritual leader in the feminist traditions of our peoples. Questions or Accessibility Needs….Please contact Pat at 612–860-6500 or e-mail Ruth at [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 Wednesday9/24, from 6 to 7:15 PM and again on Thursday 9/25, from 9:00 AM to 1 PM, followed by a potluck, dairy lunch and Tashlich over at Lake Harriet.  Services for the second day of Rosh Hashanah are Fri, 9/26 from 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Yom Kippur begins on Friday 10/3, with Kol Nidre from 6 to 8:30 PM. Saturday 10/4, includes services beginning at10 AM, a 4 PM study session, a 5:15 PM closing service, and a dairy potluck break-fast meal after the sun sets, at 7:30 PM. 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 the office at 612-247-5490 or email [email protected]. Shanah Tovah!
  • Or Emet, Congregation Or Emet will observe the 2014 High Holidays as follows: Erev Rosh Hashanah: 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 24; Kol Nidre: 7:00 pm, Friday, October 3; Yom Kippur: 4:00 pm, Saturday, October 4. All services will be at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 South Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park. Directions: http://www.sabesjcc.org/directions.htm. Everyone is welcome. No tickets are required. Childcare provided if requested (see Contacts above to RSVP). 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: Zak Kolar)