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The Jewish community across the Tri-Valley is gearing up for the start of a new year with High Holy Days observances.Â
“It’s a time wherein new energy and new blessing is palpable and Jews around the world come together to invoke blessings and to ask God that we all be blessed with a year of happiness, health, prosperity and peace,” said Rabbi Raleigh Resnick of Chabad of the Tri-Valley in Pleasanton.
“This year, in particular, we are deeply concerned about the welfare of Israelis who have been held hostage in Gaza for two years,” said Rabbi Dr. Laurence Milder of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton. “We pray for a swift end to the war in Gaza, for the immediate release of the hostages, for relief to the suffering of Palestinians and security for all.”
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, runs from Monday evening (Sept. 22) until Wednesday evening (Sept. 24). Central to Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar, a hollowed ram’s horn, according to Resnick.
The call of the shofar is meant to awaken the listener’s soul and bring them closer to God, Resnick explained. It is also meant to drive listeners to make resolutions for the new year, he added.
Following Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, which runs from the evening of Oct. 1 to the evening of Oct. 2. Meaning the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, according to the Chabad of the Tri-Valley website.
Across the region, local organizations hosting high holiday events include Chabad of the Tri-Valley, Chabad of Danville & San Ramon, Congregation Beth Emek, Beth Chaim Congregation as well as Tri-Valley Cultural Jews.
At Chabad of the Tri-Valley, Rosh Hashanah service is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, followed by a community dinner. Rosh Hashanah observance is set to continue Tuesday and Wednesday, with both days including morning services at 10 a.m., followed by Torah readings, shofar, Mussaf, lunch and shofar in the park.
In observance of Yom Kippur, Chabad of the Tri-Valley is scheduled to host a Kol Nidrei service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The following day, Chabad is holding a morning service beginning at 10 a.m., followed by a Torah reading, Yizkor memorial service, Mincha and Neilah closing service and breakfast.Â
“It’s a very special time for the entire Jewish community and we believe it’s a very special time for the entire universe, for the whole world,” Resnick told the Pleasanton Weekly. “We will be asking almighty God to be able to bless all of humanity with a year of joy, peace, prosperity and health.”
For more information about the high holidays schedule at Chabad of the Tri-Valley visit, jewishtrivalley.com.
Rosh Hashanah is also observed at Reform synagogue Congregation Beth Emek. Evening services are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday with morning services at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by family services at 2:30 p.m.
“This is the beginning of the year 5786 on the Jewish calendar,” Milder said in a statement. “For Jews, the New Year is a time of reflection, a time to consider our deeds, and to resolve to live up to our highest ideals in the coming year.”
Congregation Beth Emek is also set to observe Yom Kippur with an evening service at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1, followed by a day of programs Oct. 2.
For more information about upcoming services at Congregation Beth Emek, visit bethemek.org
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews is also set to welcome the new year with its annual Rosh Hashanah celebration in Livermore.Â
TVCJ will kick off the evening of Monday with a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m., including symbolic holiday foods such as apples and honey. Next, TVCJ is set to host a musical, English-language ceremony rooted in the values of Secular, Humanistic Judaism.Â
“Through thoughtful readings, music and moments of reflection we’ll honor the themes of renewal, connection and cultural identity in a way that’s meaningful for Jews from many different backgrounds as well as friends and family from other traditions,” TVCJ representative Jazz Salwen-Grabowski said.
“Whether Rosh Hashanah has been a longtime part of your life, or something you’re just beginning to explore, you’ll find a warm welcome and a space to reflect, connect and start the new year off with intention,” Salwen-Grabowski added.
TVCJ is also scheduled to host its annual Kol Nidrei ceremony at 7 p.m. Oct. 1, marking the beginning of Yom Kippur. Rooted in Jewish tradition, but free of religious ritual, the gathering is set to follow a secular and cultural approach.Â
“The program is designed to resonate with the humanistic values of reflection, responsibility, and hope,” Salwen-Grabowski said. “Together we’ll create space to honor the past, consider who we are and who we strive to be and strengthen our sense of community through thoughtful readings and stirring music.”
While the program is not considered a service for children, there will be quiet activities available to families.
“At TVCJ we embrace the diversity of our Jewish community and warmly welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds,” Salwen-Grabowski said. For more information, visit trivalleyculturaljews.org.
Chabad of Danville & San Ramon is also scheduled to host high holidays observances.
“It’s a spiritual reset of sorts, a time to reflect, to seek forgiveness, renew committment, to live with higher purpose,” said Rabbi Shmuli Raitman of Chabad of Danville & San Ramon.
Rosh Hashanah evening service and a kids program is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. on Monday in Danville, followed by a community dinner, according to the organization website. Rosh Hashanah observation continues Tuesday and Wednesday with morning service beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by a children’s program, shofar sounding and lastly Tashlich and shofar in the plaza.Â
Yom Kippur celebrations at Chabad of Danville & San Ramon begin with a candle-lighting and fast kick-off at 6:32 p.m. Oct. 1, followed by Kol Nidrei service at 6:45 p.m. On Oct. 2, the day begins with a morning service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a children’s program, Yizkor memorial service, Mincha service, Neilah closing service and a break-fast.
For more information about Chabad of Danville & San Ramon, visit jewishdanville.com.
Also in Danville, Beth Chaim Congregation is set to host services for Rosh Hashanah on Monday through Wednesday and Yom Kippur Oct. 1-2.Â
“As we step into the High Holy Days together, I invite you to consider both the fragility and the gift of your life,” Rabbi Dave Spinrad of Beth Chaim Congregation wrote in a community newsletter. “This is the spiritual work of the season: to stand honestly before the truth of our mortality, and to choose, again and again, to live with purpose and love.”
On Monday at 7 p.m., Beth Chaim Congregation is scheduled to hold a Rosh Hashanah evening service. The following day, Beth Chaim Congregation will hold a morning service at 10 a.m., followed by a lunch, family and children’s service and Tashlich service at Sycamore Valley Park. A morning service at 10 a.m. will also be held on Wednesday.
Yom Kippur observance at Beth Chaim Congregation will begin with a Yahrzeit candle-lighting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1, followed by an evening service at 7 p.m. The next day, observances include a morning service at 10 a.m., a learning session with a Rabbi, family service, children’s service, Yizkor, Neilah concluding service and break-fast.Â
For more information about High Holy Days observances at Beth Chaim Congregation, visit bethchaim.com.
