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Free High Holy Days services

Free High Holy Days services in the L.A. area
[additional-authors]
September 17, 2014

Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sept. 24

Rosh Hashanah, first day: Sept. 25

Rosh Hashanah, second day: Sept. 26

Kol Nidre: Oct. 3 

Yom Kippur: Oct. 4

CHABAD

Los Angeles-area Chabads offering free services to the public during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur include Chabad of Beverlywood: (310) 836-6770; Chabad of Century City: (310) 505-2168; Chabad of Miracle Mile: (323) 852-6907; Chabad of Simcha Monica: (310) 829-5620; Chabad of Woodland Hills: (818) 348-5898; Chabad of Studio City: (818) 508-6633; and Chabad of Greater Los Feliz: (323) 660-5177. For more venues, visit chabad.org.

SAN FERNANDO AND CONEJO VALLEYS

ADAT ARI EL

A Conservative congregation in Valley Village, Adat Ari El holds a free Young Family Service (for preschoolers to second-graders and their parents) as well as a free Tekiah Family Service (for elementary school age children and their parents). Rosh Hashanah, first day: 8:45 a.m.-9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Young Family Service), 11 a.m.-noon (Tekiah Family Service); Yom Kippur: 8:45-9:30 a.m., 9:45-10:30 a.m. (Young Family Service), 11 a.m.-noon (Tekiah Family Service). Reservations required. David Familian Chapel, Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.

SHOMREI TORAH SYNAGOGUE

For families with third- to seventh-graders, these free services feature a full band, interactive stories, high-energy music and inclusive participation. Led by Rabbi Erez Sherman. Babysitting available for children ages 2 to 5. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Reservations required. Pomelo Elementary School, 7633 March Ave., West Hills. (818) 346-0811. stsonline.org.

TEMPLE ADAT ELOHIM

For parents who want to attend services with their young children (preschoolers to second-graders; older siblings permitted), these free 30-minute Reform services are for you. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 4:15 p.m. Yom Kippur: 3:30 p.m. No reservations necessary. Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-7101. adatelohim.org.

TEMPLE AHAVAT SHALOM

Geared toward families with young children (8 and under), these free, hour-long services offer opportunities for children and adults alike to join in both traditional and contemporary song and prayer while sharing in stories and special Torah readings reflecting the mood of the season. Erev Rosh Hashanah: 6 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah, first day: 8:30 a.m.; Kol Nidre: 6 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 8:30 a.m. No reservations necessary. Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258. tasnorthridge.org.

TEMPLE ALIYAH

College students and military personnel are welcome to attend these Conservative services for free. Please contact the synagogue for a list of service times and tickets. Student or military ID required. 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland  Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.

TEMPLE JUDEA

The Reform community opens its doors to children and their families for Tot High Holy Days services on both Rosh Hashanah, first day, and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 4 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 3:30 p.m. No reservations necessary. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800. templejudea.com.

TEMPLE KOL TIKVAH

The Reform community holds free family services on Rosh Hashanah, first day, and on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 2:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 2:30 p.m. Temple Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670. koltikvah.org.

VENTURA TOWNEHOUSE AND CHABAD OF VENTURA

For seniors. An array of High Holy Days programs for Jewish seniors include a Rosh Hashanah luncheon on Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah, first day, shofar blowing ceremony: noon; Yom Kippur service: noon. Free. RSVP. Services: Wyndham Garden Ventura Pierpont Inn, 550 San Jon Road, Ventura; Luncheon: The Chabad Jewish Center, 5040 Telegraph Road, Ventura. (805) 658-7441. chabadventura.com.


WEST HOLLYWOOD, HOLLYWOOD AND EAST SIDE

BETH SHIRAH CONGREGATION

These free services for the unaffiliated feature music, poetry, reflection, memorial candle-lighting services and more. Please bring canned food to donate. Led by Cantor Estherleon Schwartz. Erev Rosh Hashanah: 7:30 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah, first day: 10:30 a.m.; Kol Nidre: 7:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 10:30 a.m. No reservations necessary (limited seating). Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 653-7420. estherleon.com.

CONGREGATION KOL AMI 

The LGBT congregation welcomes the general public on Rosh Hashanah, second day only. 10 a.m. No reservations necessary. Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996. kol-ami.org.

JEWISH LEARING EXCHANGE

The education center holds an abridged, beginners Rosh Hashanah service, open to everyone. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 5 p.m. Reservations required. Jewish Learning Exchange, 512 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 857-0923. jlela.com.

LAUGH FACTORY

The venerable Sunset Strip comedy club holds services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur. Everyone welcome. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 11 a.m., refreshments follow; Kol Nidre: 5:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 11 a.m., a break-the-fast follows. Reservations recommended. Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 656-1336. laughfactory.com.

NASHUVA

Rabbi Naomi Levy and the Nashuva Band’s spiritual community is back at its larger location, the historic Founder’s Church of Religious Science in Koreatown, for this year’s services, and everyone’s invited. A Rosh Hashanah second-day hike and service will be held in Temescal Park. Erev Rosh Hashanah: 6:30 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah, first day: 9:30 a.m.; Rosh Hashanah, second day: 9 a.m. (hike), 10 a.m. (service); Kol Nidre: 6:45 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 9:30 a.m. Reservations required (suggested donation $350 per person). Childcare program available with reservation. Founder’s Church of Religious Science, 3281 W. Sixth  St., Los Angeles. Temescal Park, 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. nashuva.com.

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD 

The historic Reform congregation holds free family services (toddlers through second-graders) on Rosh Hashanah, first day and Yom Kippur, and opens its doors to the general public on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 8:30 a.m.; Rosh Hashanah, second day: 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur: 8:30 a.m. No reservations necessary. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. tioh.org.


WESTSIDE

BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM 

Rabbi Heather Miller leads the LGBT congregation’s free family services on both the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur in Temple Isaiah’s Social Hall (Temple Isaiah is moving to UCLA’s Royce Hall). These services are for families with children ages 1-12. Rabbi Lisa Edwards and Cantor Juval Porat lead a free service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah at BCC’s Pico Boulevard synagogue. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 10:30 a.m.; Rosh Hashanah, second day: 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur: 10:30 a.m. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

BETH SHIR SHALOM

The progressive Reform synagogue in Santa Monica holds free afternoon children’s services for families with children up to age 7. Led by Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels and Cantor Diane Rose. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 1:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 2 p.m. No reservations necessary. Santa Monica High School, Barnum Hall, 601 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361. bethshirshalom.org.

CHAI CENTER

These free services are in English, with meaning, melody and humor by Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz (aka Schwartzie). All ages welcome. Erev Rosh Hashanah: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Kol Nidre: 6:15-8:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 3-5:30 p.m. (“Stump the Rabbi” program). No reservations necessary. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 391-7995. chaicenter.org.

HILLEL AT UCLA

Free to all students with a valid school ID. There are a variety of services: traditional, liberal egalitarian and Orthodox. No reservations necessary. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-3081. ucla.hillel.org.

IKAR

Pray for free with the progressive egalitarian community on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Erev Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur from Yizkor through Neilah. Rosh Hashanah, second day: 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration and ID required. Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org.

LEO BAECK TEMPLE

These free and lively family services feature music and storytelling for children (ages 7 and under) and their parents and grandparents. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 2 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 2 p.m. Reservations required. Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org.

OHR HATORAH

The independent community’s free services feature eclectic music performances reflecting on themes of the human condition and commentary by Rabbi Mordecai Finley. Second day Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur only. Rosh Hashanah, second day: 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur: 2 p.m. No reservations necessary. Rosh Hashanah service: Ohr HaTorah, 11827 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. Yom Kippur: Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles. (310) 915-5200. ohrhatorah.org.

SHOLEM COMMUNITY 

The secular humanistic community holds a free family picnic and celebration with readings and songs on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, and a discussion about ethics in our daily lives on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Yom Kippur: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No reservations necessary. Rancho Park-Cheviot Hills picnic area No. 1, 2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles. (818) 760-6625. sholem.org.

SHTIBL MINYAN

The traditional, egalitarian, lay-led minyan welcomes the general public to services. Erev Rosh Hashanah: 6:35 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah, first day: 8:30 a.m.; Rosh Hashanah, second day: 8:30 a.m.; Kol Nidre: 6:10 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 8 a.m. RSVP requested (donations encouraged). Workmen’s Circle, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 916-9820. shtibl.com.

SINAI TEMPLE

Rabbi David Wolpe leads Rosh Hashanah Live, a free musical celebration combined with a service on Erev Rosh Hashanah. There is also a more traditional service offered. On Yom Kippur, the Yizkor service is open to the public. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah Live: 8 p.m., Ziegler Sanctuary; Erev Rosh Hashanah, traditional service: 8 p.m., Barad Hall; Yom Kippur, Yizkor service: 3 p.m. No reservations necessary (space is limited, arrive early). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org

TEMPLE EMANUEL 

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, the Reform congregation offers free half-hour services for toddlers and preschoolers and their families, including lots of singing, dancing, stories and activities. A combination of Hebrew and English readings, a sermon from one of Emanuel’s rabbis, and a mix of classic High Holy Days choral music balanced with traditional and contemporary melodies highlight the congregation’s free service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 11:30 a.m.-noon; Rosh Hashanah, second day: 9 a.m.-noon; Yom Kippur: 11:30 a.m.-noon. No reservations necessary. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Bess P. Maltz Center, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 274-6388. tebh.org.

UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE

Music- and story-filled, these free, one-hour family services are a kid-friendly introduction to the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah, first day: 1:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur: 1:30 p.m. Reservations required. University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. (310) 472-1255. unisyn.org.


TASHLICH

SAN FERNANDO AND CONEJO VALLEYS

ZUMA BEACH, LIFEGUARD STATION 12

Temple Adat Elohim. Sept. 26. 5 p.m. Zuma Beach, 30050 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. (805) 497-7101. adatelohim.org.

LAKE BALBOA

Temple Judea. Sept. 26. Approximately 11:30 a.m. Lake Balboa, 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys. (818) 758-3800. templejudea.com.

CALABASAS LAKE

Temple Aliyah. Sept. 28. 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Park Sienna grass area entrance of Calabasas Lake, Calabasas. templealiyah.org.

HANSEN DAM

Temple Ahavat Shalom. Sept. 27. 11 a.m.  Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (picnic bench area). Bring a picnic lunch. 11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. tasnorthridge.org.

MALIBU PIER

Shomrei Torah Synagogue. Sept. 28. 6:30 p.m. 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. (818) 346-0811.shomreitorahsynagogue.org.


WEST HOLLYWOOD, HOLLYWOOD, EAST SIDE

MARSH PARK

East Side Jews. Down to the river we go. Be a part of the High Holy Days transformative experience. Sept. 27. $40 (includes ritual, food and drink). 6:30-9:30 p.m. Marsh Park in Elysian Valley, 2960 Marsh St., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255.eastsidejews.com.


WESTSIDE

SANTA MONICA BEACH

Beth Shir Shalom. Sept. 25. 3 p.m. Beach at the end of Pico Boulevard. (310) 453-3361. bethshirshalom.org.

Temple Isaiah. Sept. 25. 4 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner. 2030 Ocean Park Ave., parking at Lot 4 South. (310) 277-2772. templeisaiah.com.

Temple Israel of Hollywood. Sept. 25. 4 p.m. Meet at lifeguard station 12 (parking at Lot 3 North). (323) 876-8330. tioh.org.

IKAR. Sept. 28. 4:30 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and meet at lifeguard station 26 (where Ocean Park Boulevard meets the beach). (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org.

VENICE BEACH

Nashuva. Please dress casually in white and consider a sweater. Bring a percussion instrument and bread for throwing. Sept. 25. 5:15 p.m. Venice Beach (where Venice Boulevard meets the sand; approximate address: 1 N. Venice Blvd., Venice). nashuva.com.

Beth Chayim Chadashim. Sept. 26. 5 p.m. 2856 Ocean Front Walk (Santa Monica/ Venice border). (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

WILL ROGERS STATE BEACH

Leo Baeck Temple. Sept. 25. 5 p.m. Will Rogers State Beach (intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Temescal Canyon Road). Between lifeguard towers 5 and 6. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. Sept. 25. 5 p.m. Will Rogers State Beach (intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Temescal Canyon Road) Lifeguard tower 8. (310) 276-9776. tebh.org

MARINA DEL REY

Temple Akiba. Bike ride to Culver beach. Sept. 28. 1 p.m.  Meet at Temple Akiba: 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783. templeakiba.net.


KEVER AVOT | SUNDAY SEPT. 28

EDEN MEMORIAL PARK

All are welcome — especially Jewish war veterans. Please bring a canned food item (peanut butter, tuna, meats, stews, soups, dried beans), nonperishable food, personal hygiene item or children’s book to be donated to Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles’ SOVA Community Food and Resource Program. 10 a.m. Free. Eden Memorial Park, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills. (818) 361-7161. eden-memorialpark.com.  

HILLSIDE MEMORIAL PARK AND MORTUARY 

Service led by Rabbi John Rosove and Chazzan Danny Maseng of Temple Israel of Hollywood. They are joined by Rabbi Avivah Erlick (Jewish Burial Society of SoCal), Rabbi Sheldon Pennes (Temple B’nai Emet), Cantor Linda Kates (Leo Baeck Temple), and Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot (Temple Judea). Complimentary yahrzeit candles will be available. There will be a shomer to assist with Kaddish. 10 a.m. Free. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, 6001 W.Centinela Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 641-0707. hillsidememorial.org.

HOME OF PEACE

Led by Rabbi Robert Elias. 11 a.m. Home of Peace, Chapel, 4334 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 261-6135. homeofpeacememorialpark.com.  

MOUNT SINAI MEMORIAL PARKS AND MORTUARIES

Services will be led at two sites. There will be interpreters for the hearing impaired at both services. Donations to SOVA Food Pantry will be gratefully accepted. 10 a.m. Free. Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles; 1 p.m. Free. Mount Sinai Simi Valley, 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley. (866) 717-4624. mountsinaiparks.org.

SHOLOM MEMORIAL PARK

Led by Rabbi Alan Kalinsky and Cantor Jance Weberman. Refreshments served at 9 a.m. 10 a.m. (service). 13017 Lopez Canyon Road, Sylmar. (310) 659-3055. sholomchapels.com

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