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The High Holy Days

High Holy Days HUB

TEXT: 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.

Click here to watch our 2024 High Holy Days services and programs.

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
  • Sunday ,
    SepSeptember  21 , 2025
     
     
    Family Apple Picking Trip to Eckert's
    Sunday, Sep 21st 2:00p to 5:30p
    Prepare for a sweet new year with an apple-picking adventure to Eckert's Farm! Join other Temple Israel families for a fun-filled day of hand-choosing the perfect apples, enjoying delicious food, and exploring fun fall activities.

    MORE INFO

  • Monday ,
    SepSeptember  22 , 2025
     
     
    Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
    Monday, Sep 22nd 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. Monday, September 22 | 7:30 pm | Gall Family Sanctuary and live streamed
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Tuesday ,
    SepSeptember  23 , 2025
     
     
    Rosh Hashanah Tot Service
    Tuesday, Sep 23rd 9:00a to 10:00a
    Our Tot services are led by our Rabbis and Megan "Miss Megan" Sturdevant 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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Tuesday ,
    SepSeptember  23 , 2025
     
     
    Rosh Hashanah Intergenerational Morning Service
    Tuesday, Sep 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p
    At this intergenerational service led by our Rabbis, we welcome adults and families with children who may enjoy attending a traditional-style service, followed by Tashlich at our creek. For families with younger children (ages 6 months through grade 2), we also offer childcare with advance registration.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Tuesday ,
    SepSeptember  23 , 2025
     
     
    Rosh Hashanah Lunch
    Tuesday, Sep 23rd 12:00p to 1:30p
    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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Sunday ,
    SepSeptember  28 , 2025
     
     
    Annual Memorial Service at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery
    Sunday, Sep 28th 11:00a to 12:30p
    Join Temple Israel and Shaare Emeth — co-owners of New Mt. Sinai Cemetery — to honor the loved ones we’ve lost at our 28th annual Memorial Service. This community-wide remembrance will include musical accompaniment by classical musicians, as well as remarks from our Rabbis.

    MORE INFO

  • Wednesday ,
    OctOctober  1 , 2025
     
     
    Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) Service
    Wednesday, Oct 1st 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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Yom Kippur Tot Service
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 9:00a to 10:00a
    Our Tot services are led by our Rabbis and Megan "Miss Megan" Sturdevant 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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Yom Kippur Intergenerational Morning Service
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 10:00a to 12:00p
    At this intergenerational service led by our Rabbis, we welcome adults and families with children who may enjoy attending a traditional-style service. For families with younger children (ages 6 months through grade 2), we also offer childcare with advance registration.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Personal Care Item Drive Sorting
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 12:00p 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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Yom Kippur Afternoon Study Session led by Rabbi Emeritus Mark L. Shook
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 12:30p to 2:00p
    This unique study session with Rabbi Shook opens three challenging labels to Yom Kippur scrutiny: Jew, Zionist, and Antisemite.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Create Your Own Jewish Vibe: A Yom Kippur Afternoon Program (for Grades 3rd – 12th)
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 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, personalize a kippah, or create a decoration for your sukkah while bonding with friends.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Hands-on Service Projects to Benefit Monroe Elementary School
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 2:30p to 3:30p
    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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

  • Thursday ,
    OctOctober  2 , 2025
     
     
    Yom Kippur (Yizkor & Neilah) Afternoon Service
    Thursday, Oct 2nd 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.
    Register Now

    MORE INFO

 

Mon, September 15 2025 22 Elul 5785