Rosh Hashanah 2013 Local Worship Guide

Rosh Hashanah is set to happen at the end of this week, and local Jewish community centers and temples are preparing for the High Holiday.

The holiday, which celebrates the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown Wednesday and ends at nightfall Friday.

The Chabad Jewish Center in Franklin Lakes is holding multiple services to celebrate, it announced in recent releases.

First, it is offering traditional services for the community beginning Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Services throughout the morning and afternoon Thursday and Friday will be followed by a Kiddush Luncheon at 1 p.m.

The Chabad is also offering a free family service for children 7 and under and their parents at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The service is directed by Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan and includes traditional holidays songs and prayers, blowing of the shofar, stories and refreshments. 

There will also be an abridged Russian service at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Click here for the Chabad’s entire schedule of High Holiday events, and for links to RSVP.

Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff is hosting services and a candle-lighting ceremony starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The schedule of events for Thursday and Friday is full. Both days include services, a youth program, and a candle lighting.

Thursday’s service line-up at Beth Rishon includes a family service, Tashlich, and Mincha. Check out the full calendar of events here.

In Mahwah, Temple Beth Haverim Shir Shalom posted on its website the following worship schedule:

Wednesday, September 4 – 7:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah services
Thursday, September 5 – 8:15 am Rosh Hashanah early morning service (by ticket only)
11:45 am Rosh Hashanah mid-morning service (by ticket only)
2:45 pm Rosh Hashanah Family Service
4:15 pm Tashlich (at the corner of Airmount and Airmont, Mahwah)

Friday, September 6 – 9:15 am Rosh Hashanah morning service

And, the temple prompted locals to attend Wednesday night’s service in particular, as it will include an unusual element.

“Rabbi [Joel] Mosbacher serves on a committee of rabbis who have been developing a new machzor (prayerbook) for the High Holidays,” the temple explained on its website. “[T]his year, we’re introducing a draft of the Erev Rosh Hashanha service on September 4 at 7:30. Please make an extra effort to be with us as the holiday begins; our feedback will help determine the direction of the new machzor.”