“Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, a time in which we're called to reflection and introspection. And it's a time during which we measure how successfully we are functioning in our relationships to other people and also to God,” said Rabbi Aaron D. Benson,who has returned to the valley to lead Beth Meier Congregation in Studio City after a three-year sojourn in the east.
In preparation for the holidays, during the current Hebrew month of Elul, Jews traditionally begin the process of reflection and transformation by apologizing to their families, friends and colleagues for any betrayals or slights, whether done consciously or unawares. We are directed to seek forgiveness diligently, asking three times for exoneration if it is not readily granted.
Toward the end of the month, the last Saturday before Rosh Hashana, we observe the service of Selichot where we begin to ask God (or the universe or the inner voice) to absolve us for the “sins,” misdirection, or errors of the last year. “This work of reflection and improvement [is what] in Hebrew we call teshuva,” Benson explained.
“If Selichot is the real beginning of the process in earnest,” Benson continued, “then Rosh Hashana is the day on which we are called do the serious work of correcting and improving—or at least determining how we're going to correct and improve—our relationships.”
Rosh Hashana is considered the birthday of the world. Benson says this is an opportunity for Jews to acknowledge and be grateful to be part of this creation and that we have obligations to everyone else and everything with whom we share the world.
(See my related about how Project MOT is making sure deployed members of the armed forces get to celebrate too.)
“And then Yom Kippur is understood as the Day of Atonement and also the Day of Judgment, and so it serves as the final deadline for having done this period of teshuva. Of course, we can do this all year ‘round but human beings being human beings, it's good to have some deadlines on the calendar to work towards,” he said.
“On Rosh Hashana it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed,” goes the traditional liturgy. We aspire to being metaphorically inscribed for life in the Book of Life, as a result of our actions during the previous year and our earnest efforts to correct mistakes. And even the worst of us have the opportunity for a reprieve:
(Based on the U'Netaneh Tokef prayer)
On Rosh Hashana it is inscribed and on Yom Kippur it is sealed,
How many shall pass away and how many shall be born,
Who shall live and who shall die,
Who shall reach the end of his days and who shall not,
Who shall perish by water and who by fire,
Who by sword and who by wild beast,
Who by famine and who by thirst,
Who by earthquake and who by plague,
Who by strangulation and who by stoning,
Who shall have rest and who shall wander,
Who shall be at peace and who shall be pursued,
Who shall be at rest and who shall be tormented,
Who shall be exalted and who shall be brought low,
Who shall become rich and who shall be impoverished.
But repentance, prayer and righteousness avert the severe decree.
Those of you who are not members of the tribe and want to know how to express a holiday greeting, wish your friends of the Mosaic persuasion “L'shana tovah” (Happy New Year) or, even hipper, “L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu,” (May you be inscribed for a good year).
High Holy Day services in Sherman Oaks, Studio City and North Hollywood/Toluca Lake:
Ticket prices, when listed, are for seats at Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur only. Other services cost nothing, unless otherwise noted. Call synagogues or check their websites for Sukkot, Shmini Atzerit and Simchat Torah services, if they’re not listed here.
ORTHODOX
Chabad Jewish Center of North Hollywood
3079 Chandler Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-989-9539
Tickets: $180 for adults, $90 for children
Rosh Hashanah (at Chabad of North Hollywood )
Sept. 28
Light candles 6:25 p.m.
Evening services 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
Morning services 9:30 a.m.
Junior Congregation 10:30 a.m.
Blowing of the Shofar 11 a.m.
Evening services followed by Tashlich 6:10 p.m.
Light candles after 7:19 p.m.
Sept. 30
Morning services 9:30 a.m.
Junior Congregation 10:30 a.m.
Blowing of the Shofar 11 a.m.
Evening services 6:30 p.m.
Light candles by 6:22 p.m.
Yom Kippur (at Valley College–Monarch Hall)
Oct. 7
Light Candles 6:13 p.m.
Fast begins 6:13 p.m.
Kol Nidrei Services 6:15 p.m.
Congregation 7 p.m.
Oct. 8
Morning services 10 a.m.
Junior Congregation 10:30 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial Service 11:30 a.m.
Mincha and Ne'ilah 5:15 p.m.
Fast ends and shofar blowing 7:07 p.m.
Light break-fast following Ne'ilah 7:07 p.m.
14960 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oak, 818-789-0850
(all services are at this location)
Tickets: Adults, $180; children (under bar/bat mitzvah), $90
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
Morning service 9:30 a.m.
Shofar Blowing 12 p.m.
Children’s service and program 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mincha and Tashlich Service 6 p.m.
Sept. 30
Morning Service 9:30 a.m.
Shofar Blowing 12 p.m.
Children’s service and program 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mincha and Maariv Service 6:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7.
Fast begins 6:30 p.m.
Kol Nidrei 6:45 p.m.
Children’s service and program 7–9 p.m.
Oct. 8
Morning Service 9:30 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial Service 12:30 p.m.
Children’s service and program 11a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mincha and Ne'ilah Services at 5 p.m.
Followed by Shofar Blowing and Breaking of the Fast
Fast ends 7:06 p.m.
Sukkot
Oct. 13.
Morning service 10 a.m.
Followed by Kiddush and Lunch in the Sukkah
Children’s service and program 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 14
Morning Service 10 a.m.
Followed by Kiddush and lunch in the Sukkah
Children’s service and program 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 15
Morning Service 10 a.m.
Followed by Kiddush and lunch in the Sukkah
Children’s Service and Program 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 16
Sukkah Family Party 11:00 a.m. - Pizza, pasta, entertainment and lots of kosher fun. Tickets: $5 per person.
Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Oct. 20
Morning Service 10 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial Service 12 p.m.
Kiddush and lunch in the Sukkah 1 p.m.
Children’s service and program 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grand Simchat Torah Family Celebration
Evening service 7 p.m.
Children's Hakafot 7:30 p.m.
Kiddush for adults 7:30 p.m. in the back of the shul, followed by Hakafot at 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Simchat Torah Day)
Morning Service 10 a.m.
Kiddush and brunch 11:30 a.m. followed by Hakafot, Torah reading (everyone gets called to the Torah, even children.)
Grand Lunch 2 p.m.
11927 Ventura Blvd., 818-508-6633
Visit Chabad’s website for holiday study guides, stories and recipes. This year Rabbi Yossi Rimler returns as Cantor for the High Holidays. Tickets are $200 (children $100).
Selichot at Chabad of Studio City
Sept. 24, 11 p.m.
High Holidays at CBS Studio Center: 4024 Radford St., Studio City
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
Morning service 10 a.m.
Shofar Blowing 11 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Mincha and Tashlich
Sept. 30
Morning service 10 a.m.
Shofar Blowing 11 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1
Morning service 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7
Fast begins 6:13 p.m.
Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 8
Morning service 10 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial Service 12:30 p.m.
Mincha and Ne’ilah Services 5:30 pm, followed by Shofar blowing and Breaking the Fast
Fast ends 7:41 p.m.
Sukkot at Chabad of Studio City
Oct. 13
Morning service 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush and refreshments in the Sukkah
Oct. 14
Morning service 10 a.m.
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 15
Morning Service 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments in the Sukkah
Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah at Chabad of Studio City
Oct. 20
Morning service 10 a.m.
Yizkor memorial service 11 a.m.
Grand Simchat Torah Family Celebration 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 21
Morning service 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush, lunch and dancing with the Torah
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22
Morning service 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Chabad Jewish Center of Toluca Lake
(see my story featuring Rabbi Moishe and Mrs. Michal Carlebach)
10660 Riverside Dr., Suite F (upstairs), Toluca Lake
"Features traditional services blended with contemporary, meaningful insights and messages. Hebrew/English prayer books provided." There's no charge but donations are accepted. Each High Holiday reservation includes a seat at the Gourmet Traditional Rosh Hashana Dinner on the first night of Rosh Hashana, Sept. 28.
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Community dinner 7:45 p.m. following services
Sept. 29
Morning service 9:30 a.m.
Shofar Sounding 11:15 a.m. followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Tashlich service 5:30 p.m.
Evening service 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 30
Morning services 9:30 a.m.
Shofar Sounding 11:15 a.m., followed by Kiddush and refreshments
Shabbat candle lighting 6:22 p.m.
Oct. 1
Shabbat services 10 a.m.
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7
Fast begins 6:12 p.m.
Kol Nidre service 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 8
Morning service 10 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial service 12:15 p.m.
Study of the Book of Jonah 4 p.m.
Mincha Afternoon Service 4:30 p.m.
Ne’ilah Closing Service 5:30 p.m.
Sounding of the Shofar and End of Fast 7:06 p.m.
Followed by light refreshment buffet break-fast
12800 Chandler Blvd., Valley Village, 818-763-0560
Yom Kippur schedule was not available when this story went to press.
Tickets for non-members $385. Call for more information or to make financial arrangements.
Selichot
Sept. 25
Mincha/Maariv 6:30 p.m.
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Selichos/Shacharis, 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Candlelighting preceded by eruv
Tavshilin, 6:24 p.m.
Mincha, 6:20 p.m.
Maariv, 7:19 p.m.
Sept. 29
Shacharis, 8 a.m.
Shofar, 10:15 a.m.
Mincha, 6:10 p.m.
Maariv, 7:18 p.m.
Candlelighting and preparation not before 7:23 p.m.
Sept. 30
Shacharis, 8 a.m.
Shofar, 10:15 a.m.
Mincha, 6:10 p.m.
Candlelighting, 6:21 p.m.
CONSERVATIVE
2020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village, 818-766-9426
Selichot Under the Stars (see the pdf)
Sept. 24
Wine and Cheese reception, 8 p.m.
Forgive Me, Pardon Me, Grant Me Atonement, a personal approach to the Al Chet, 9 p.m.
Havdallah, 9:45 p.m.
Service in the Lebow Outdoor Chapel 10 p.m.
Adat Ari El offers a menu of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services to meet the needs of its large community. Check the link or the pdf on this page for the complete schedule. Non-member ticket price is $300, “but this can be adjusted for those in difficult financial circumstances.”
Special features of the community observance include:
Sept. 30, Tashlich in Franklin Canyon
Study Session, “How Can I Become a Better Person,” 3 p.m.
Meditative walk around the grounds or guided nature hike, 3:45 p.m.
Ritual casting of sins (written on fallen leaves) into the water, 4:30 p.m.
The Sanctuary Service. “Early” and “Late” services are led by the cantor and choir, accompanied by the organ. The role of the choir is not only for the recitation of prayers but also to encourage congregational singing.
The Auditorium Service has no organ or choir. It is led by the associate cantor. This service is more participatory, as the spirit is set by the cantor and the congregation.
The Tekiah Family Services With song, story and prayer, this service is a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate High Holy Day experience for elementary school age children and their parents. Nursery school age siblings are welcome.
The Young Family Services are for children pre-school age through second grade and their parents.
Children's Program is available for children in kindergarten through sixth grade on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Advance registration is required. Services and programs on Kol Nidre are for 5- to 12-year-olds and will include special siddurim, drama, games, story telling.
Valley Ruach Young Professionals Services are guitar-accompanied, contemporary services geared toward ages 21-39, and, for the first time, open to their family and friends of all ages. Lay-led by song leaders, rabbinic students, and the general community, these services will be fully participatory and abbreviated.
Child care will be offered for nursery school children ages 2 1/2 and older throughout the High Holy Days. Registration is required in advance. Please check the child-care schedule, as it may not be available during all services.
Yom Kippur Study Sessions will begin at 1 p.m. and end before Mincha/Ne’ilah.
11725 Moorpark St., Studio City, 818-769-0515
Tickets are $195 for non-members, $125 for members
Beth Meier Congregation welcomes back spiritual leader Rabbi Aaron Benson who will be joined by Cantor Kerry Katz. The congregation will be collecting for SOVA both at the shul and at the Beverly Garland Hotel during the holidays. “There is a greater need now than ever. They are in need of toiletries. If you go on a vacation and can bring in the little soaps and shampoo you will be doing a great Mitzvah. ”
Selichot celebrated at Beth Meier
Sept. 24, 9:30 p.m., preceded at 8 p.m. by a Havdallah service and then diner for $10.
High Holiday
Celebrated at Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., Studio City
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, 8:30 a.m.
Sept. 30, 8:30 a.m.
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7
Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8
Morning service 8:15 a.m.
Yizkor, Blessing of the Children, Ne’ilah and Break-Fast, 5:15 pm
4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-788-4664
Tickets $375. "If someone has financial needs we will negotiate."
Selichot
Sept. 24, led by Rabbi Beryl Padorr and the temple’s new cantor, Cory Winter, 7:30 p.m. “A service filled with hopefulness as we approach God in this season of repentence.”
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Apples and Honey Family service 6 p.m., abbreviated service for families with children.
Erev Rosh Hashana service 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29
Traditional service 9 a.m.
Tashlich at Los Encinos Park 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 30
Alternative service 9 a.m.
Shabbat service 7:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7
Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m. sharp!
Oct. 8
Yom Kippur Service 9 a.m.
Yizkor 12 p.m. (approximately)
Mincha 4 p.m.
Shofar 7:15 p.m.
REFORM
12326 Riverside Dr., Valley Village, 818-763-9148
Non-member tickets: $250 for adults and students, $200 seniors. Special pricing for immediate family of members.
Selichot
Sept. 24 Service of Prayer and Preparation for the Holy Days
Study with the rabbis 8-9:30 p.m.
Coffee and dessert, 9:30 p.m.
S’lichot Service led by Rabbi Hronsky, Rabbi Samuels, Cantor Leon and Adult Choir 10-11 p.m.
Rosh Hashana
Sept. 28
Erev Rosh Hashana service followed by a small oneg 7:30–9:15 p.m.
Sept. 29
Morning service 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Afternoon youth services 2:45–3:30 p.m.
Tashlich at the Beach
Oct. 1 at Zuma Beach, Tower #2, 10 a.m.
Fun for the whole family, sounding of the shofar and family picnic
Yom Kippur
Oct. 7
Kol Nidre
Early service with Rabbi Samuels and Cantor Leon, 6–7:45 p.m.
Late Service with Rabbi Hronsky and Cantor Leon, 8:45–10:30 p.m.
Oct. 8
Early service, Rabbi Hronsky and Cantor Leon, 8:30–11 a.m.
Late service, Rabbi Samuels and Cantor Leon, 11:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m.
12-Step service, Choose Life, 10–11:30 a.m. in the Feldman Horn Mercaz
Community Memorial Services for non-members led by Chaplain Barbara Singer and Song Leader Leah Finkelstein in the Feldman Horn Mercaz, 12:15 p.m.
Guided Jewish Meditation with Howard Blumenfeld in Room 24-25, 2:15–2:45 p.m.
High Holy Day study and discussion in Room 22-23 with Chaplain Barbara Singer, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Youth afternoon services, 2:45–3:30 p.m.
Memorial Yizkor service, 4–4:45 p.m.
Afternoon and Ne’ilah concluding service, 4:45–7:15 p.m.
Break Fast, challah, juice, apples and honey 7:15 p.m.
More upcoming holiday celebrations at Temple Beth Hillel:
Sukkot
Oct. 12
Family Sukkot Picnic on the TBH Lawn 5:30 p.m.
Adult Service in the Sukkah 7 p.m.
Oct. 20
Sukkot Yizkor service in the Bauman Sanctuary 9 a.m.
Simchat Torah and Consecration Service in the Bauman Sanctuary 7 p.m.
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