Rosh Hashana begins the solemn observance of the Jewish New Year at sunset Wednesday and concludes with Yom Kippur on Sept. 14, a period of deep self-examination and making things right with one’s fellow man and God. The 10 days — so sacred they are called the "Days of Awe" or the "High Holy Days" — are marked by ancient rituals and traditions to be carried out by four Honolulu synagogues, including:
CHABAD OF HAWAII
Located at 410 Atkinson Drive, 735-8161. Led by Rabbi Itchel and Pearl Krasnjansky. Dinners served after evening services by prepaid reservation only at chabadofhawaii.com.
Rosh Hashana
» Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. service, dinner and candle-lighting (follows all evening services).
» Thursday: 10 a.m. Shacharit (morning) service; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. children’s service; noon and throughoutthe day, shofar (ram’s horn) blowing, Kiddush (blessing of wine) lunch; 4 p.m. family Tashlich service (casting away of sins) at Ala Moana Beach Park; 7:15 p.m. service, dinner follows.
» Friday: 10 a.m Shacharit service; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. children’s service; noon and throughout day, shofar, Kiddush lunch; 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Sabbath) evening service and dinner.
For Sept. 7 and 8 service schedules, visit www.chabadofhawaii.com/holidays.
Yom Kippur
» Sept. 13: 6:30 p.m., Kol Nidrei (prayer recited on the Day of Atonement) service and fast begin.
» Sept.14: 9:30 a.m. Shacharit service; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. children’s service; 1:30 p.m. Yizkor (memorial) service; 5 p.m. Mincha (afternoon) service; 5:45 p.m. Neilah (last service of Yom Kippur); 7:15 p.m., fast ends with a meal and shofar blowing.
CONGREGATION SOF MA’ARAV
All services will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu,2500 Pali Highway, 595-3678. Led by Don (president) and Sandra Armstrong.
Rosh Hashana
» Wednesday: 8 to 9:30 p.m. service.
» Thursday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
» Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
» Saturday: 9:50 a.m. to noon, shabbat shuvah (repentance) services
Yom Kippur
» Sept. 13: 6:30 to 9 p.m. (Kol Nidre)
» Sept. 14: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and 5 to 7 p.m.with a potluck to break the fast.
OAHU JEWISH OHANA
All services will be held at the Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, 902 University Ave. Email oahujewishohana@gmail.com. Led by Rabbi Peter Schaktman and cantorial soloist David Harris.
Selichot
» Today: 7 p.m., Woody Allen’s "Crimes & Misdemeanors" will be shown, followed by discussion; 9:30 p.m.service.
Rosh Hashana
» Wednesday: 7 p.m. service.
» Thursday: 9 a.m. service, followed by potluck luncheon; 2:30 p.m.Tashlich service at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park.
Yom Kippur
» Sept. 13:6 p.m. service.
» Sept. 14:10 a.m. service; 4:30 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah, followed by a light break-the-fast nosh.
Send your family’s yartzheit names (those who have passed in the last year) for the Yizkor to Vanessa Buchthal at opalb@hawaii.edu; to volunteer, contact Hannah Hall at 398-4127 orhannaloha@yahoo.com; to help with the potluck, contact Pat Roth at rothpatty22@gmail.com.
Thesuggested annual contribution to the Oahu Jewish Ohana is $500 per family unit, which covers participation in High Holy Day services and other activities throughout the year. For nonmembers, $350 is the recommended donation, which will be regarded as a down payment for possible membership.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL
Located at 2550 Pali Highway, 595-7521. Guest Rabbi Steven E. Foster, rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu-El Denver and a Honolulu native, will lead High Holy Day services with cantorial soloist Ken Aronowitz. The High Holy Day Choir, comprising more than 40 members under the direction of Sangeet Gellhorn, choir director at Central Union Church, will also perform.
Rosh Hashana
» Wednesday:7:30 p.m. service.
» Thursday:9:30 a.m. service; 3:30 p.m. children’s service on the Ewa side of Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park (bring your own seat; in the event of rain, the service will be held at the temple); 4 p.m. Tashlich service.
Yom Kippur
» Sept. 13:7:30 p.m. service.
» Sept. 14:9:30 a.m.; 2 p.m. children’s service; 3 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah; 7 p.m., break-the-fast meal provided by the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood.
Email Richard Field at executivedirector@shaloha.com or visit www.shaloha.com.