The High Holy Days

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High Holy Days HUB

High Holy Days Hub

The High Holy Days at Temple Israel are a celebration of community and an opportunity for spiritual transformation for thousands of Temple members and guests who join us in person and online.

More information coming in September of 2024!

ABOUT ROSH HASHANAH

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It also marks the beginning of the Days of Awe/High Holy Days which is a ten-day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).

During this time, we focus on ways to make the coming year a better one, and ask forgiveness from God and those who we have wronged. Some common customs include eating apples and honey for a sweet new year, and listening to the shofar, or ram’s horn, to “wake us up” for the start of the new year.

ABOUT YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It occurs ten days after Rosh Hashanah. We are commanded on this day to go to those who we have wronged and ask for their forgiveness. Only then may we ask for forgiveness from God.

Many Jews spend the day praying in the synagogue and reflecting on how to be a better person in the new year. Fasting is a common custom and allows one to focus solely on repentance. At the end of the day, many people get together with family to “break the fast.” At the end of Yom Kippur, someone in the synagogue blows the shofar, sounding one long, blast.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENTS & PROGRAMS

If there aren't events showing below, we haven't yet planned this holiday's programming. Please check back soon.

All Events

Wednesday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2024

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Wednesday, Oct 2nd 7:30p to 9:00p
Led by our Rabbis, this service is most appropriate for adults and families with children in grade 3 and above. Because we’ll also be bringing in Shabbat, we’ll say a few special prayers outlined in the High Holy Days siddur, as well as read the names of those listed on the weekly Kaddish list.
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2024

Rosh Hashanah Tot Service
Thursday, Oct 3rd 9:00a to 10:00a
Join us for our highly participatory Rosh Hashanah Tot Service, featuring upbeat songs your children may know and love, and a short story from the Rabbis.
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2024

Rosh Hashanah Intergenerational Morning Service
Thursday, Oct 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
This service, led by our Rabbis, is intergenerational. We welcome adults and families with children who may enjoy attending a traditional-style service, followed by Tashlich at our creek.
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2024

Rosh Hashanah Lunch
Thursday, Oct 3rd 12:00p to 2:00p
Immediately following Rosh Hashanah morning services, the celebration continues! Join us for a special Rosh Hashanah lunch, where you’ll enjoy a buffet-style meal with delicious brunch favorites.
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2024

TIFTY presents: Apple Picking (3rd-12th Grade)
Thursday, Oct 3rd 1:30p to 5:30p
Join us for an apple picking adventure to celebrate a sweet new year! On Rosh Hashanah afternoon, we'll hop on a bus to Eckert's for a round-trip filled with fun and laughter.
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 6 , 2024

Annual Memorial Service at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery
Sunday, Oct 6th 11:00a to 12:00p
Join Temple Israel and Shaare Emeth — co-owners of New Mt. Sinai Cemetery — to honor the loved ones we’ve lost at our 27th annual Memorial Service. This community-wide remembrance will include musical accompaniment by Cantor Seth Warner and classical musicians, as well as remarks from the Rabbis.
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Friday ,
OctOctober 11 , 2024

Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) Evening Service
Friday, Oct 11th 7:30p to 9:00p
Led by our Rabbis, this service is most appropriate for adults and families with children in grade 3 and above.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Yom Kippur Tot Service
Shabbat, Oct 12th 9:00a to 10:00a
Our Tot services are led by our Rabbis and are geared to families with children in Pre-K and younger. This service is highly participatory with upbeat songs your children may know and love and a short story from the Rabbis.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Yom Kippur Intergenerational Morning Service
Shabbat, Oct 12th 10:00a to 12:00p
This service, led by our Rabbis, is intergenerational. We welcome adults and families with children who may enjoy attending a traditional-style service.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Personal Care Item Drive
Shabbat, Oct 12th 11:45a to 12:30p
Every year, we collect personal care items throughout the High Holy Days for the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. All are invited to help us organize, sort, box, and bag these items for donation throughout the hour. Volunteers of all abilities are welcome!
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

A Jewish Roadmap to Christian Nationalism
Shabbat, Oct 12th 12:30p to 1:30p
The class, led by Rabbi Emeritus Mark Shook, will seek to untangle the threads of religion and nationalism and the dangers they pose to Jews and Judaism.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Hands-on service projects to benefit Monroe Elementary School
Shabbat, Oct 12th 1:30p to 2:30p
Join us on Yom Kippur afternoon for meaningful hands-on mitzvah opportunities to support the students and faculty of Monroe Elementary School, TI’s partner school in South St. Louis city.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Create your own Jewish vibe: A Yom Kippur Afternoon Program (3rd-8th Grade)
Shabbat, Oct 12th 2:00p to 3:30p
Live Jewishly out loud through artistic self-expression! Join us on Yom Kippur afternoon to make a piece of jewelry, decorate a mezuzah cover, or personalize a kippah to use at home or wear when you come to TI’s Shabbat services.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

New Mount Sinai: Jewish History Set in Stone
Shabbat, Oct 12th 2:30p to 3:30p
The Jewish experience in St. Louis since 1850 is a beautiful story of creativity, industry and success, occasionally marred by the anti-semitism that still exists today. Join Don Meissner, Director of New Mount Sinai, in a historical review, and feel free to share your family history with the group.
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Saturday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2024

Yom Kippur (Yizkor & Neilah) Concluding Service
Shabbat, Oct 12th 4:00p to 5:30p
At this memorial & concluding service, we’ll read the names of those who have passed away since last Yom Kippur and conclude the High Holy Days with prayers and blessings.
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