TC Jewfolk’s 2019/5780 High Holiday Guide

We’re just about a month away from the start of the Jewish holiday season, so we’re bringing you TC Jewfolk’s comprehensive guide to high holiday services across the region and religious spectrum. No matter where you are or what kind of service you prefer, we’ve got your high holidays hookup for the 10th year in a row. Plus, pretty much all these services are free for you and your family this holiday season.

This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at nightfall on Sunday, Sept. 29 and Yom Kippur begins at nightfall on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Be sure to contact your preferred place of worship in advance to reserve your spot! Also, if you’re looking for a place for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur meals – or if you have an extra place at your table – we can help! Fill out this form by Sept. 22, 2019, and we’ll try to match you up!

Reform

  • Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnetonka we are a friendly, welcoming congregation focused on providing a vibrant place for Jewish families and friends to learn and grow in our community together. We invite you to join us for the High Holidays! No tickets? No problem. We’ll mail you a free ticket. This year, we start the High Holidays with an exciting Selichot program. We offer a diverse range of services and programs during the High Holidays, as well as provide free childcare. In addition, we invite you to our free break-the-fast meal. Nearing the end of the High Holidays, we’re celebrating Simchat Torah with a happy hour and music. Please click here for the 5780-2019 schedule of services at Bet Shalom. Come say shalom! While there is no charge for tickets, we always appreciate voluntary donations of any amount which helps us continue to offer many programs to the community.
  • Mount Zion Temple – We welcome all who seek to experience and celebrate Judaism at this season with services for adults, teens, tots, and families. Our welcome includes efforts for inclusion and accessibility including ASL interpretation. Please let us know how we can help. We invite you to engage from Selichot through the complimentary break-the-fast at the end of Yom Kippur and all the way through the klezmer music-infused, dancing finale of Simchat Torah. Optional High Holy Day programs outside of services include yoga, poetry, a healing service, and study. For a full schedule click here. For the security of our community and to facilitate connections, nametags (passes) are required at each service for every person over the age of 7. You may request nametags here (donations are welcome). We also give out High Holy Day nametags at an open house for prospective members on Sunday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. RSVP here. We look forward to spending the Days of Awe with you.
  • Shir Tikvah Congregation in South Minneapolis. An open door: come one, come all. Shir Tikvah has no tickets or reserved seats for the High Holy Days; however, registration is required for childcare and youth programming. All Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur worship is held at St. Joan of Arc in South Minneapolis, 4537 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419. The remainder of High Holy Days programming takes place at Shir Tikvah, 1360 W. Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55419, which includes a week of joyful potluck Sukkot gatherings and festive Simchat Torah meal and dancing, as capstones of our High Holy Days season. Click here for the High Holy Days schedule and more, including information about our tot and youth gatherings. Shir Tikvah is a loving, diverse, progressive congregation with a passionate clergy team and a dedicated staff who welcomes you into our community; start your new year with us!
  • Temple Israel in Minneapolis welcomes all who want to celebrate and observe the High Holy Days. In addition to our regular Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services, we also offer a Rosh HaShanah Play and Pray experience for all families located at Temple’s Camp TEKO. Programming will be focused on learners in grades 1 through 6 (registration requested). For a detailed schedule of our service times and types, to register for our on-site childcare, and review our transportation guide, please visit our website. Admission Cards are required for our worship services, but seating is open. For Admission Cards, please contact Liz at 612-374-0318. Many of our services are also live-streamed via our website. See online service schedule for more information.

Conservative

  • Adath Jeshurun is a progressive, egalitarian and sacred community. No tickets and no one is turned away – bring and be yourself on the High Holy Days. Come as you are to Adath Jeshurun Congregation and leave somehow changed for the rest of the year. Please contact Andrea Blumberg, Office Manager, at [email protected] or 952.215.3901 so we can warmly welcome you to egalitarian services with a complimentary High Holy Day pass. We can also arrange a meal with home hospitality and connect you to a vibrant community of spiritual seekers beyond the High Holy Days. For complete information on the High Holy Days at Adath visit us on the web at adathjeshurun.org/hhd or review our guide.
  • Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park: no tickets, no charge, and no financial solicitation! 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. View our schedule and please contact Linda Goldberg, our Director of Membership and Engagement, and she can help welcome you to our synagogue for services, programs or even a holiday meal. E-mail Linda at [email protected] or call 952-873-7302. For more High Holy Day information, visit: www.bethelsynagogue.org.
  • Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights is an egalitarian and participatory community where anyone and everyone is welcome. Call 651-452-2226 for information.
  • Sharei Chesed 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. Please plan to stay for the Kiddush lunch following Rosh Hashanah services and the Break the Fast dinner at the end of Yom Kippur.
  • Temple of Aaron in the Twin Cities. Shanah Tovah! You are always welcome at Temple of Aaron! This year, we’ll be entering the spirit of the holidays and focusing on the theme “The Spirit of the Soul” with an emphasis on the importance of creating and finding Judaism whenever and wherever. There are many changes taking place this year including interactive experiences in different spaces, a congregant-written Yizkor Service, and new voices addressing Sacred Moments. Most importantly, we will be joined by Musician-In-Residence Coleen Dieker who will accompany our Cantor throughout the Holidays. We will end Rosh Hashanah Day 2 with a reflection on Soul and Spirit. We also offer a traditional full Musaf and a Healing Service. On Yom Kippur, our services last until 1 p.m. and we pick up with a variety of classes throughout the day. We come back together for Mincha and Neilah which is one of the major highlights of our Holidays. We have packed young family services on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur which is a great opportunity to meet new families and get to know our clergy. We issue free tickets to all newcomers who call in advance. If you are interested in joining us please contact our Executive Director Ken Agranoff ([email protected] or 651-252-6406) to explore tickets and service options. For more info, check out: templeofaaron.org.

Orthodox/Traditional

  • Congregation Darchei Noam, a Modern Orthodox congregation in St. Louis Park, welcomes your participation in any and all services. We proudly offer services at no charge although contributions (not on the holidays) are deeply appreciated. If you will be joining us and are available to accept a meal invitation, please contact us at 952-452-8476. Schedule for high holidays are: Sunday, Sept. 29: 6:40 p.m., candle lighting, 6:45 p.m. mincha/ma’ariv. Monday, Sept. 30. 8:00 a.m., Shacharit (morning services), 10:45 a.m. D’var Torah, 5:15 mincha followed by Tashlich. 7 p.m. Ma’ariv. Tuesday, Oct. 1: 8 a.m. Shacharit, 10:45 a.m. D’var Torah, 6:40 p.m. Mincha. Tuesday, Oct. 8 6:23 p.m. candle lighting, 7 p.m. Kol Nidre and Ma’ariv.  (Babysitting available with RSVP); Wednesday, Oct. 9: 8:30 a.m. Shacharit, 11:15 a.m. D’var Torah, 11:30 a.m. Yizkor, 5 p.m. Mincha and Ne’ilah,
  • Minneapolis Chabad in Minnetonka.  All are welcome at Chabad of Minneapolis. Our Services are engaging, meaningful, user-friendly and personal in a warm atmosphere. We’ve designed the Services so that you can actually enjoy! Fun and educational children’s programming during morning services.Try us – you will not be disappointed. Services are free, no membership or affiliation necessary. Rosh Hashana Community Dinner, Sunday, Sept 29 (by reservation only). For more information and a full schedule, call 952-929-9922 or visit www.chabadminneapolis.com.
  • Uptown Chabad in Minneapolis. YJP Rosh Hashanah dinner at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. On Sept. 30: Services with shofar blowing at 10 a.m.-noon, and the Holy Hour Happy Hour at 6 p.m. Second day services at 6:45 a.m., Oct. 1, followed by breakfast at 8:30. Yom Kippur: Tuesday, Oct. 8: pre-fast meal 5:30 p.m., Kol Nidre services at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9: Morning service with Yizkor from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 6 p.m. Mincha and Neila. Break fast at 7:30 p.m. All events are at Uptown Chabad House, 3017 James Ave. S. Minneapolis. For more information, call 612-405-6967.

Reconstructionist

  • Mayim Rabim Congregationis 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 online. We are offering programs, in addition to services, to connect to the spirit of the holiday season. Rabbi Sharon Stiefel will teach a class on Going Deeper into the High Holiday Prayers; Tuesday, September 17, from 7-8:30 p.m. High Holiday Services will be led by Rabbi Stiefel and congregants. For Rosh Hashanah, we will gather on Sunday, September 29, from 6-7:15 p.m. and again on Monday, September 30. High Holiday Services will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a free light catered lunch. Services for the second day of Rosh Hashanah are Tuesday, October 1 from 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations on Rosh Hashanah, which will be donated to STEP. Yom Kippur begins on Tuesday, October 8, with Kol Nidre from 6:15-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 9 includes services beginning at 10 a.m., a 4:15 p.m. study session, a 5:30 p.m. closing service, and a dairy potluck break-fast meal after the sun sets, at 7:23 p.m. 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!

Humanistic Judaism

  • Or Emet, the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, will observe the 2019 High Holidays as follows: Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m., Sunday, September 29; Kol Nidre at 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 8; Yom Kippur at 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 9, followed by a break-the-fast meal.  All services will be at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 South Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park. Everyone is welcome; no tickets needed. In keeping with High Holiday tradition, non-perishable food and other personal care items will be welcome at all High Holiday services to be donated to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Child care is available upon request. Or Emet celebrates Humanistic Judaism’s proud tradition of leadership in social action and the pursuit of social justice. Our programs emphasize Jewish history, culture, arts and the traditions shaping our identity and values. For more information about Or Emet, send inquiries to [email protected].

Other/Independent

  • JPride has four opportunities for the High Holidays: A co-sponsored S’lichot with Shir Tikvah at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Join us for teaching from Noam Sienna, author of A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969 followed by community service. Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day service (Oct. 1) in partnership with Kohenet Sharon Jaffe at Shir Tikvah Synagogue at 10 a.m. Join for a meaningful service by and for LGBTQIA+ Jews (allies are welcome!), followed by a celebratory potluck. Community Tashlich service and practice at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, (tentatively) at Bde Maka Ska followed by an apple and honey social. More information on rain plans, meeting place, and location for the social can be found on the J-Pride Facebook page. Finally, an evening in the Sukkah at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 starting at a J-Pride member’s home for some learning and a tasty celebratory nosh in the sukkah. Email [email protected] for any more information.
  • Temple Israel (of Duluth) is affiliated with both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements. All are welcome to attend our High Holiday services (as well as all other services and programs throughout the year). We do not utilize tickets for service attendance and there are no assigned seats. Donations to defray our costs are welcome but not required. In particular, no donations are requested or expected from students from outside the Duluth area who are attending college in Duluth. Our High Holiday service schedule for 2019 is as follows: Sat. 9/21: 9:30 p.m. Selichot service (preceded by refreshments and Havdalah at 9 p.m.). Sun. 9/29: 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah evening service. Mon. 9/30: 10 a.m. First Day Rosh Hashanah service; 11:15 a.m. Family Rosh Hashanah programming [separate programming for kids in pre-K through grade 3 and for youth in grades 4-7]  (running simultaneously with main service); 1:30 p.m. Tashlikh at Chester Bowl. Tue. 10/1: 10 a.m. Second Day Rosh Hashanah service. Tue. 10/9: 8 p.m. Kol Nidre (Yom Kippur evening) service. Wed. 10/10: 10 a.m. Yom Kippur morning service; 11:15 a.m. Family Yom Kippur programming [separate programming for kids in pre-K through grade 3 and for youth in grades 4-7]  (running simultaneously with main service); 3:30 p.m. Yom Kippur afternoon, Martyrology, Yizkor and Ne’ilah services; 6:30 p.m. Free community Break-the-Fast following Ne’ilah. For further information please call our office at 218-724-8857 or e-mail [email protected]
  • Jewish Family Service of St. Paul offers holiday programming and personal visits to Jews who are unaffiliated with a synagogue or who live in non-Jewish residential facilities but who would like to feel connected to the broader Jewish community. For more information or to schedule a High Holiday program or personal visit, contact Rabbi Lynn Liberman, Community Chaplain, at 651-434-4112.
  • Chabad at UMN. Our Services are warm, user-friendly 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., MinneapolisRosh Hashanah: Services at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29th, Dinner at 8. Services 7:45 p.m. October  1st, Dinner at 8:30. Yom Kippur: Pre Fast 5 p.m. Kol Nidrei, 6:15 p.m. Morning Services, 10 a.m., Neilah 6:15 p.m. Break-fast, 7:22 p.m.
  • Minnesota Hillel is excited to welcome students, professors, and community members to experience the High Holidays with us. We are dedicated to making all of our holiday programming accessible and welcoming to all. (As we await renovation, our building is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible). Our visiting Rabbi Emily Mathis will lead services in partnership with students and staff, and meals will be catered by our in-house chef. To see our holiday schedule and to RSVP, go to at/BPRW8. All services and meals are free for students. All services and meals are free for students and faculty. For community members, services are free with a suggested donation of $18 per meal.

Note: If you’re a community leader and would like to be added to this listing, please email [email protected] with the information and any relevant links.