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 seventh 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, Oct. 2 and Yom Kippur begins at nightfall on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Be sure to contact your preferred place of worship in advance to reserve your spot!
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 Days; while there is no charge for tickets, a voluntary donation of any amount will certainly be appreciated and helps us continue to offer this and many other programs to the community. Also, as an RSVP helps us plan properly, please contact Liz Bodell or call 952-426-6644 and she will help welcome you and provide what you need to join us for services and other programs at Bet Shalom. Please click here for the 2016/5777 schedule of services at Bet Shalom.
- 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. Anyone can receive complimentary High Holy Day tickets by attending an open house for prospective members on Sunday, Sept. 11, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. RSVP here. Otherwise you may sign up just for the tickets at http://mzion.nirsham.com/form/high-holy-day-tickets-5777 (there is a request for a contribution; you may give anything over $1).
- 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 childrens’ programming. High Holy Day Services are held at the First Universalist Church (“the old Adath”), 3400 Dupont Ave. S. Click here for the High Holy Days schedule and more info including information about our Tot and Youth services. Shir Tikvah is a progressive Reform congregation that would like to welcome you into our community. Meet Rabbi Latz and Rabbi Rappaport 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 mailto:[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. 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 is also an Erev Rosh Hashanah “Blessing of the Children” at 5 p.m. for a brief and festive service as we bless newborns, welcoming them into our Jewish community, and bless kindergarteners, welcoming them on the next step of their learning. All family members, all ages and stages, are welcome to mark these sacred transitions. Check out our High Holy Days guide for more information. Please let us know you are going to join us. Call the office at 952-545-2424 by 23.
- 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 our executive director Linda Goldberg and she can help welcome you to our synagogue for services, programs or even a holiday meal. E-mail Linda at or call 952-873-7300. 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. Please join us for High Holy Days services; we do not use tickets. For anyone. Ever. Our members are eager to welcome you into their homes for High Holy Day meals and Shabbat, and we host a Yom Kippur break fast – open to everyone. We have a vibrant family service, children’s programming, and a welcoming community for young adults. At Beth Jacob, everyone has an equal opportunity to be part of our community, regardless of ability, special needs, or financial status. We look forward to having you join us! If you call our office (651-452-2226) or e-mail [email protected], we will know to look for you and greet you when you arrive!
- 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.
- Temple of Aaron in St. Paul. Shanah Tovah! You are always welcome at Temple of Aaron! This year, we’ll be entering deeply into the spirit of the holidays and focusing on the theme “Say Little Do Much” with an emphasis on the importance of action and acts of kindness. If you’re looking for something different or if you prefer to stick with the traditional, this year we’re offering three different services for Day 2 of Rosh Hashanah, one with traditional liturgy, one focusing on music and melody, while a third will offer a chance for learning and reflection. On Yom Kippur, if you’re looking for a place to channel your early afternoon hunger, we’ll have three different learning opportunities to take us into the evening: “The Legends of Una Tana Tokef,” “A Social Justice Perspective on Isaiah,” and “The Goat That Took The Fall.” We issue free tickets to all college students who call in advance, and to 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] or651-698-8874,ext 106) to explore free tickets, service options, or purchasing tickets. For more info, check out: www.templeofaaron.org.
Orthodox/Traditional
- 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. For more information, call 952-929-9922 or visit www.chabadminneapolis.com.
Reconstructionist
- 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 org. We are offering programs in addition to services, to connect to the spirit of the holiday season. Rabbi Stiefel will teach a class on Going Deeper into the High Holiday Prayers; Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7-8:30 PM. High Holiday Services will be led by Rabbi Sharon Stiefel and congregants. For Rosh Hashanah, we will gather on Sunday Oct. 2, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and again on Monday, Oct. 3. High Holiday Meditation will be available at 8 a.m. Services will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a light catered lunch. Services for the second day of Rosh Hashanah are Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Yom Kippur begins on Tuesday, Oct. 11, Kol Nidre from 6-8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, includes services beginning at 10 a.m., a 4 p.m. study session, a 5:15 p.m. closing service, and a dairy potluck break-fast meal after the sun sets, at 7:15 p.m. There is free childcare available throughout the morning services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 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 2015 High Holidays as follows: Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2; Kol Nidre at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11; Yom Kippur at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12. All services will be at the Sabes Jewish Community Center 4330 South Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park. Everyone is welcome; no tickets needed. 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
- Jewish Family Service of St. Paul offers non-denominational 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.
- Sholom is pleased to announce that High Holiday Services and programs are scheduled at both campuses. Residents, their families and the community are invited to attend. High Holiday services and programs at the Shaller Family Sholom East Campus will be held in the Newman Chapel/Mains Auditorium led by Rabbi Nemiroff. Sunday, Oct. 2, evening service begins at 4 p.m., followed by a festive dinner at 5 p.m. (RSVP/Payment Required). Monday, Oct. 3, morning service begins at 10 a.m. and evening service begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, morning service begins at 10 a.m. Kol Nidre services for Yom Kippur are on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, morning service begins at 10 a.m.; Yizkor (Memorial Service) is at 11 a.m.; Mincha (afternoon service) and Neilah (concluding service) are at 5:30 p.m. The Break Fast will occur at 7:30 p.m. High Holiday Services and programs at the Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus will take place in the Sholom Home West Chapel/Auditorium led by Rabbi Shalom Reznik-Bell. Sunday, Oct. 2, evening service begins at 4 p.m., followed by a festive dinner at 5 p.m. (RSVP/Payment Required). Monday, Oct. 3, morning service begins at 9:30 a.m. and evening service begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, morning service begins at 10 a.m. Kol Nidre services for Yom Kippur are on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, morning service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Yizkor (Memorial Service) is at 10:30 a.m.; Mincha (afternoon service) and Neilah (concluding service) are at 5:30 p.m. The Break Fast will occur at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 952-935-6311
- 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., Minneapolis. Rosh Hashanah: Services at 7 p.m. Oct. 3rd, Dinner at 8. Services 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4th, Dinner at 8:30. Yom Kippur: Pre Fast 6 p.m. Kol Nidrei, 7 p.m. Morning Services, 10 a.m., Neilah 6:50 p.m. Break-fast, 7:16 p.m.
- AISH Minnesota: GET OUT OF SERVICES FREE! Do you dread going to a long High Holiday service?!? Then join up with Aish Minnesota’s dynamic speaker Dr. David Lieberman who will inspire, engage and entertain you over Rosh Hashanah. This promises to be another memorable New Year with a fantastic speaker for classes and all the amenities of synagogue service nearby. As in past years: Aish will offer a Rosh Hashanah dinner on Oct. 3, as well as lunchtime on Oct. 4. Also join up for Rabbi David Fredman, M.Ed., MFT for our Yom Kippur alternative option. For more details contact [email protected] or Giti at 952-484-5191.
- Minnesota Hillel is the Hillel chapter on the University of Minnesota campus. Please visit their Facebook page for High Holy Days updates and contact their Jewish Educator, Shira Lavintman at [email protected] with questions. Find your home at Hillel for the Holy Days! Erev Rosh Hashanah services led by rabbinical student, Justin Held, start at 6 followed by dinner. Days 1 and 2, services will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Hillel and both will follow with a lunch and learn starting after services. Services on Oct. 11 will begin at 6 p.m., and on the 12th, at 11 a.m.
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.
