High Holy Days 2025/5786

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EHRS Member Tickets

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We are looking forward to a wonderful and meaningful Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. Every member of the Synagogue is entitled, of course, to a ticket and so this year we will mail you your ticket in August together with our High Holy Day Booklet telling you everything that is happening. There is no need to apply for tickets.

The High Holy Days are nearly here and we need your help with Community Care’s
annual Honey Cake Bake and Delivery.

Please let us know at communitycare@ehrs.uk by Friday 5 September if you are able to bake a nut free honey cake or two to be distributed to our more isolated and vulnerable members this Rosh Hashanah. Your cakes must be wrapped in either cling film or tin foil, with a list of ingredients attached and they need to be delivered to EHRS during office hours from Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 September. Cakes will then be collected by volunteers between 10:00-12:00 on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September for delivery before Rosh Hashanah which commences on the evening of Monday 22 September. If these times/dates are not convenient, please contact us to arrange an alternative, if this is possible. Alternatively, you can deliver your cakes directly to members, just let us know if you want to do this. If you do not bake but want to do something, then please consider buying a couple of honey cakes for distribution, this little act of kindness will mean so much to the recipient.

We also need volunteers of all ages to deliver the cakes within the community,
please contact us at communitycare@ehrs.uk if you wish to be involved.

The giving of charity is part of the High Holy Day experience along with prayer and repentance. Each year, our Tzedakah Group made up of people from the community, meets and chooses charities to support for the High Holy Day Appeal which they believe will speak to all interests in the community, in the wider neighbourhood, and in Israel.
We had 26 charities to consider. The charities were divided into 3 categories: – Tikkun Atzmi, Tikkun Ami & Tikkun Olam
The group recommends the following 9 charities for the coming appeal:

Tikkun Atzmi – the repair & improvement of ourselves & our local community
Jewish Child’s Day
Hatzola
Sebby’s Corner

Tikkun Ami – the support of Jews both in the UK and abroad
Meketa Girls Project
Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC)
Anne Frank Trust UK

Tikkun Olam – helping to repair the wider world
Tech2Peace
HIAS-JCORE – JUMP
Leo Baeck—Jewish-Arab Community Garden

To read more about these charities please click here, and to make your donation please click here

Elul is our month of preparation to get us ready for the spiritual work of the High Holy Days. Our Machzor, Seder HaTefillot, includes daily readings to help keep you on the spiritual journey (Rosh Hashanah volume pp15-36).

Bark Mitzvah 
Saturday 23 August, 11:00-12:00
The first day of Elul is traditionally the Jewish new year for animals. Bring your dog to EHRS this morning for our outdoor service with Cantor Tamara which celebrates the role of animals in our lives and our world.

EHRS Student Event
Thursday 4 September, SAVE THE DATE (Early evening)
Together with the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) and other local progressive communities, join our Student Send off Evening. Please see Our Week Ahead for more details.

How Would a Martian Know it’s the High Holy Days?
Saturday 6 September, 9:15
A spaceship from Mars crash-lands in Stonegrove Park, and a very confused alien stumbles towards EHRS. When he hears the sound of our prayers emanating from the Synagogue, he immediately knows that it’s the High Holy Days. How? Join Cantor Tamara to find out. Best in person but also on Zoom. Please email admin@ehrs.uk for Zoom details.

Sunday Morning Craftalong
Sunday 7 September, 10:30
Soul Candles for Elul: Join Rabbi Debbie as we explore a tradition practiced in the Shtetls and reimagined over the last few decades, as we lovingly create bees wax candles with which to remember our loved ones on Yom Kippur or throughout the year.

Cornerstone: EHRS’s Classes in Essential Judaism
9 September (Rosh Hashanah), 16 September (Yom Kippur) & 7 October (Sukkot & Simchat Torah), 20:00-21:30
Join us for a back to basics opportunity to learn about the holidays. Please email rabbi.debbie@ehrs.uk if you’d like to join as we have resources we will send out before the class, which you can join in person or on Zoom.

Shofar Blowing Workshop
Wednesday 10 September, 19:00-19:45
Learn to blow the Shofar with Rabbi Mark, or polish up your technique for Rosh Hashanah. Bring your Shofar or use one from the Synagogue.

Beer and Shiur: A Year of Fear?
Wednesday 10 September, 20:00-21:30
Young adults are invited to come together with Rabbi Mark as we look back on the year and forwards to next year.  Are we a Jewish community living in fear? Do we need to be?

Shabbat Shirah She’ba’lev Service and Dinner
Friday 12 September, 18:30-19:30 (Service), 19:30-21:00 (Dinner)
This is EHRS’s beautiful Friday night service with our acapella choir and Rabbi Mark, singing for Shabbat and this month of Ellul. Our D’var Torah will be given by our two young Israeli guests from the Leo Baeck Center in Haifa, Ayala and Yael. Followed by a bring and share (vegetarian or fish) Friday night dinner and Shabbat sing-a-long. If you are staying for the dinner please click here to book.

Kol Echad Jewish Music Workshop—Music of the High Holy Days
Saturday 13 September, 9:45-10:15
Join Cantor Tamara before the Shabbat morning service for an opportunity to sing our favourite High Holy Day melodies together, and talk about what they mean to us.

Into the Woods – Elul Village Experience
Sunday 14 September, 15:00-17:00 (offsite)
Sarah Koster and Rabbi Mark look forward to leading you into the Stanmore woods to build a village together in a clearing in the forest. This is perfect for outdoorsy families with nursery and primary school children. It includes songs, stories, building shelters and the sound of the shofar! To find out the location and join us for the experience please click here to book.

Reverse Taschlich with EcoJudaism & Repair the Sea  
Sunday 14 September, 10:30-12:00 (offsite)
EHRS will go out this morning to help take the rubbish out of the water (rather than throwing bread into it!) at the River Brent in Brent River Park. Our Clergy & the EHRS Environment Action Team invite all generations to join us to make a difference. To join us meet at the kids’ playground in the park (by the Dollis Valley Greenwalk) NW11 9JY.

10 Tunes for the 10 Days: an EHRS Elul Playlist
Monday 15 September, 19:00-20:30
The 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur will often have us humming our favourite melodies from the High Holy Day liturgy in between these sacred festivals. This year, members of the EHRS team will compile their favourite “10 Tunes for the 10 Days” and explain why they mean so much to them. Come along to listen, learn, sing, and share.

Cookalong—Honey Cake for Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday 17 September, 19:00-21:00
Come and join us in the Synagogue kitchen as we enjoy cooking together and making enough honey cake to feed an EHRS Rosh Hashanah community! Booking is essential. Places are very limited. Please click here to book.

Kuddle Up Tishri
Friday 19 September, 16:15-16:45  
Come and join our Clergy in the Synagogue for songs, stories about this month of festivals and the chance to blow the Shofar, especially for our youngest children and their parents & carers. You are welcome to arrive and play from 15:45.

Bite of Torah: Choose Life
Saturday 20 September 9:15-10:15
On this Shabbat, our Parasha Nitzavim includes the essential philosophy of Judaism – L’chayim – to live. Join Rabbi Mark as we seek to understand why this is such a central principle to Torah and Rosh Hashanah. In person and on Zoom. Please email admin@ehrs.uk for Zoom details.

Selichot Choral Service & Film
Saturday 13 September, 20:00-00:15

Selichot is a beautiful way to bring yourself towards the High Holy Days and to enhance their spiritual impact. We come together on a Saturday evening to hear for the first time the sound of the High Holy Days and the poems which search our souls.

We will start the evening with Havdallah and the hard hitting and tough film ‘The Believer’. This 2001 film, starring a young Ryan Gosling, begins with the words of our Rosh Hashanah Torah portion, the Akedah. It follows a young Jewish man who develops a fiercely anti-semitic philosophy and is based on the factual story of a KKK member in the 1960’s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.

After a break for refreshments, at 23:00 we will begin our beautiful choral service led by Cantor Tamara, the EHRS Choir, and our Rabbis. This service is also available on our Livestream Classic Channel.

Every year EHRS arranges short collective Memorial Services led by our Clergy in the Prayer Halls at the following cemeteries, following which people can visit the graves of family and friends to say a prayer & Kaddish:

Sunday 7 September
Southgate (11:00)
Edgwarebury Lane (11:00)

Sunday 14 September
Cheshunt Western (11:00)
Cheshunt Woodlands (12:00)

We will also hold a service at EHRS on the 14th at 11:00 in person and on the Livestream Classic Channel for those whose relatives were cremated or who are buried elsewhere or who cannot attend in person.

Where Zoom is listed as an option, including for the Kiddush, please refer to your member’s hard copy of the HHD Brochure or email admin@ehrs.uk for details.
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Erev Rosh Hashanah – Monday 22 September

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Erev Rosh Hashanah Service, 18:30-19:40 
We open with the service which brings us into the High Holy Days, led by all of our Clergy. Sermon given by Cantor Tamara. Also Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

How can this be a year of hope?, 19:00-19:30
After a year that has felt difficult for many, what hope can we find in our Jewish texts and traditions to help us move forward into this New Year. Come and learn and discuss with Rabbi Debbie in the Upper Synagogue or on Zoom.

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First Day Rosh Hashanah – Tuesday 23 September

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Shacharit and Musaf Service, 10:00-12:40
The full morning service which includes the reading of Torah, the story of Hagar and Ishmael, and Haftarah. Sermon given by Rabbi Mark (Beit Tefillah) and Rabbi Tanya (Upper Synagogue), followed by the special service for Rosh Hashanah where we hear the haunting and inspiring sound of the Shofar and recognise the significance of the New Year. Also Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

Rosh Hashanah Kiddush, 12:55-13:10
If you are at home, come together as a community for Kiddush on Zoom. With one of our Clergy.

Tashlich in the Park, 17:00-17:30 (offsite)  
Our Clergy are leading outdoors events in three local parks and you are invited to join us for a beautiful feeling of community. Tashlich is the ceremony of throwing bread on the waters to represent washing our sins away on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Please bring breadcrumbs or preferably duck food.
Locations are:
– Lake Grove Recreation Ground (enter opposite 26 Dalkeith Grove) in Edgware with Rabbi Mark
– Aberford Park at the duck pond behind the basketball court in Borehamwood with Rabbi Debbie
– The Windsor Open Space on the Dollis Brook, 50m down from the end of Wickliffe Avenue, past the kids’ playground in Finchley with Cantor Tamara
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*Children & Young People*
Ages are a guideline only and have changed a little from last year in order to ensure there is enough space for everyone. Please feel welcome to attend the service that works best for your family. Most of these events will take place in the Community Centre.

Early Years Service, 9:30-10:15
This active service is created for children aged 3-6 (Key Stage 1) and their families, led by Rabbi Debbie. Enjoy apple and honey to taste the sweetness of the New Year along with songs, stories and Shofar.

Chumash Babies, 9:45-10:15
Taking place in the Nagila Kindergarten, this is a special sensory Rosh Hashanah experience for our very youngest members aged 0-2 led by Sarah Koster

Hannah Hive, 10:00-11:30
A relaxed, welcoming space for teens where we’ll explore the meaning of the High Holy Days through discussion, reflection, and connection. A great way to engage, learn, and prepare together before heading into the main service. We’d love to see you there!

Stay & Schmooze and Youth Tashlich, 10:15-12:00 
We invite you to hang out with other families for a cuppa and conversation for adults, and crafts for the children. Led by Marian Cohen, Sarah Koster and Hannah Weber. There will be the opportunity to perform Tashlich (symbolically throwing our sins on the waters) in the especially created Nagila River.

Primary Years Service, 10:30-11:30     
Our interactive family service for anyone aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2) and their families, led by Rabbi Debbie. With our up close Torah reading using EHRS’s own TorahCam and great music featuring the EHRS Shirah Band. If you would like to join the band please email rabbi.mark@ehrs.uk.

Secondary School Years Youth Service, 11:45-12:45
Especially for people aged 11+ and their families, Rabbi Debbie leads our service that gives the New Year meaning as you step forward on your journey through life, with the EHRS Shirah Band.

Second Day Rosh Hashanah – Wednesday 24 September

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Shacharit and Musaf Service, 10:00-12:15
This service in the Beit Tefillah includes the reading of Torah, the Akedah, with Abraham and Isaac, and Haftarah. Sermon given by Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Co-lead of Progressive Judaism and Chief Executive Officer of Liberal Judaism. Continuing with the special service for Rosh Hashanah where we hear the sound of the Shofar and build upon the significance of the New Year. Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

Rosh Hashanah Youth Club, 10:00-11:00 
Join Hannah Weber in the EHRS Beit Midrash to wake up the world. For young people aged 11+.

Rosh Hashanah Club, 10:00-11:00    
On Rosh Hashanah we celebrate the creation of the world and our place in it! All the family are warmly invited for an hour of fun-filled activities, music and prayer. 4-10 year-olds led by Rabbi Mark and Marian Cohen. 0-3 Baby Club led by Sarah Koster.

Bite of Apple & Honey Torah Study, 11:15-12:00 
The Akedah, binding of Isaac, is the Torah portion for Rosh Hashanah. Join Rabbi Mark and Art Historian Julia Weiner as we study how the portrayal of this great story in art has been a remarkable Midrash on the Torah. In person in the Upper Synagogue and on Zoom.

The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are opportunities for us to prepare ourselves for the extraordinary experience that is Yom Kippur. You can prepare cognitively, spiritually and physically through these experiences. Our Machzor, Seder HaTefillot, includes daily readings to help keep you on a journey of repentance (Rosh Hashanah volume p.397-401).

Ten Tunes for Ten Days
On the EHRS Facebook Page every day
Every day of these ten between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur our Cantor and Rabbis will be sharing an inspiring reflection of the journey between the two High Holy Days together with a song which helps to build the flavour of this special time for us.

Erev Shabbat Shuvah
Friday 26 September, 18:30-19:30
Our intimate Friday night service helps you to rest from the week and to continue your High Holy Days journey. Led by Rabbi Mark in person and Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

Shabbat Shiur with Jonathan Bergwerk
Saturday 27 September, 9:15-10:15
Sleeping on the job, swallowed by a fish – and still God’s chosen prophet? What makes Jonah one of the most relatable (and frustrating) characters in the Bible? In person and on Zoom. Please email admin@ehrs.uk for Zoom details.

Shabbat Shuvah Service
Saturday 27 September, 10:30
Our Classic service in the Beit Tefillah brings you together with the EHRS community in person or on the Livestream Classic Channel, with special readings and a sermon to continue your High Holy Days experience.

Orly Erez-Likhovski – Repairing Israel in our Name
Tuesday 30 September,  19:30-21:00
Orly is the Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Centre, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism’s activist arm. She has been a senior part of the team at IRAC since joining as a lawyer in  2004. IRAC is one of the beneficiaries of our High Holy Days Appeal. They work to ensure that the values of Reform Judaism are woven into the Jewish state, upholding the rights of all her citizens. How have they made a difference this year and what does this teach us about the future of Israel and our place in it? Orly will join us from Jerusalem on Zoom and you can join the evening in person at EHRS with Rabbi Mark or on Zoom. Please email admin@ehrs.uk for Zoom details.

Wednesday 1 October – Fast Begins 18:24

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Kol Nidre Service, 19:30-21:40 
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, opens with the plaintive song of Kol Nidre in this service that sets the tone for the day. Three Torah Scrolls represent our spiritual Beit Din at the opening of the service. Sermon will be given by Rabbi Mark. Our service in the Beit Tefillah (Sanctuary) will have no instrumental music, and the singing will be led by the EHRS High Holy Day Choir.
In the Upper Synagogue, our service will include two pieces played by Cellist Samuel Weinstein. The music will be led by Cantorial Soloist Avi Green and will encourage participation by the congregation. The Sermon with be given by Rabbi Tanya.

Imagine no Religion, wouldn’t we all get along better?, 20:20-21:00
An opportunity to work with Rabbi Mark in the Beit Midrash, as we explore what religion means to us on Yom Kippur, whether or not you consider yourself to be Jewishly religious. A safe space to discuss the spiritual journey that we make in life and the role of religion in the world today.

Where Zoom is mentioned, please refer to your member’s hard copy of the HHD Brochure or email admin@ehrs.uk for details

Thursday 2 October

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Classic Services

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Shacharit, 10:30-13:30 
This service will take us on a journey of Teshuvah and Atonement, which includes the reading of the Torah and Haftarah. It will take place in the Beit Tefillah, with a sermon by Rabbi Debbie, and in the Upper Synagogue, with a sermon by Rabbi Tanya. Also Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

Musaf, 13:45-15:20 
Our Musaf service, in the Beit Tefillah only or on the Classic Channel, is the dramatic service in which we remember the Temple service for Yom Kippur. As part of recognising the development from this ritual, we consider the meaning of  Kiddush HaShem (the sanctification of God’s name) in past times and today.

Yizkor, 17:30-18:15
Our community memorial service to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us including the reading of the names of those we have lost this year. Led by Rabbi Mark & Rabbi Steven Katz in the Beit Tefillah and on the Classic Channel with sermon given by Rabbi Steven.

Neilah, 18:15-19:23
Our concluding service for Yom Kippur in the Beit Tefillah, as the Gates of Repentance draw to a close. Also Livestreamed on the Classic Channel.

Havdallah, 19:24-19:29
At the end of the Yom Kippur fast we all join together in the Beit Tefillah for the short concluding ceremony for Yom Kippur and the very first act of building our Sukkah.

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For Children/Youth

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Early Years Service, 9:30-10:15
Our interactive service in the Community Centre with songs and Shofar is created for children aged 3-6 (Key Stage 1) and their families, led by Rabbi Mark.

Chumash Babies, 9:45-10:15
Taking place in the Nagila Kindergarten, this is a special sensory Yom Kippur experience for our very youngest members aged 0-2 led by Sarah Koster.

Stay and Schmooze, 10:15-12:00  
Hang out in the Community Centre with conversation for adults and craft for the children. Hosted by Marian Cohen, Sarah Koster and Hannah Weber.

Hannah Hive, 10:00-11:30
A relaxed, welcoming space for teens where we’ll explore the meaning of the High Holy Days through discussion, reflection, and connection. A great way to engage, learn, and prepare together before heading into the main service. We’d love to see you there!

Primary Years Service, 10:30-11:30
Our family service in the Community Centre for anyone aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2) and their families, led by Rabbi Mark, which encourages us to take a good look at ourselves as we grow into the New Year.

Secondary School Years Youth Service, 11:45-12:45  
Especially for people aged 11+ and their families, Rabbi Mark will lead this musical Yom Kippur service with real life stories on the theme of forgiveness. In the Community Centre.

Yom Kippur Chill Zone, 12:00-17:15
Hannah Weber & Marian Cohen invite you to drop into the Yom Kippur Tent in the EHRS Courtyard at any time in the afternoon for activities, craft and just being together. Some activities will take place in the Senitt Sensory Room in the Community Centre. Children can bring a nut and meat free packed lunch and we will provide healthy snacks throughout the afternoon. For ages 5+.

Yizkor Space for Young People, 17:30-18:15   
While the Yizkor services take place, we welcome our young people to join a chilled space created just for them. Choose a craft, or relaxation activity, while you reflect, rejuvenate and are together with Hannah Weber and Marian Cohen.  Taking place in the Community Centre, first floor. For primary and up.

Neilah for Young People, 18:15-19:23
Bring Yom Kippur to an end with special time in our Senitt Sensory room finding meaning together at the end of a challenging day. Enjoy discussion, craft and meditation with Hannah & Marian. Following which, we join Havdallah with the whole community at 19:24.

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Parallel for Adults

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No Pimms, Still Poetry, 12:00-12:45
Pimms and Poetry, one of EHRS’s Together Groups, is again creating a special Yom Kippur space to share poems of apologies and forgiveness—either your own or a poem you’ve appreciated. Or just join us to listen. Facilitated by Ewen Goldsobel, this is a space for sharing and appreciating together. In the Beit Midrash.

Neshamah Avodah, 13:45-14:30
Experience a meditative journey through the Yom Kippur Temple service using Yoga and Jewish meditation with Lisa Morris and Rabbi Tanya, taking place in the Upper Synagogue.

No Beer Still a Shiur – The Power of Forgiveness – Can it Really Work?, 14:35-15:25
A chance for our Young Adults (18-40) to come together for Yom Kippur learning and discussion with Rabbi Debbie in the Beit Midrash and on Zoom.

Yom Kippur Walk into the New Year, 14:35-15:25
Join Rabbi Tanya for a gentle local walk and chat to help us to experience the outdoors on this Day of Awe starting at the front door of the Synagogue. Hopefully, no rain this year, but bring an umbrella just in case!

Talmud Study Session, 15:30-16:15 
Rabbi Mark will take you into the discussions of our Rabbis two thousand years ago discussing what they made of Yom Kippur. In the style of EHRS’s fortnightly popular Talmud Class. In person in the Upper Synagogue or on Zoom.

Yom Kippur Discussion – Balancing the Scales, 16:20-17:15
Can we be both merciful and just? Ambitious and compassionate? How do we balance the scales for the year ahead? Led by Rabbi Debbie in person in the Upper Synagogue or on Zoom.

This Year I Am Remembering, 17:30-18:15
A special Yizkor service, led by Rabbi Debbie, in which we will pray and take time to remember those we have lost, whether in the last year or many decades ago. A more personal memorial service and space, taking place in the Upper Synagogue and on Zoom.  If you have made a Soul Candle then this will also be a good opportunity to light it.

Meditative Neilah, 18:20-19:23
Join our Rabbis in the Upper Synagogue for an opportunity to experience the closing of the gates in a quiet space with prayer, poetry, Kabbalistic mystical text and Jewish meditation, enabling us to take the closing hour into our souls.

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*Breaking the Fast Together, 19:30-19:45*

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Would you like to break your Yom Kippur fast with some of your fellow members of the EHRS Community? Come to the Beit Midrash after Havdallah and enjoy a drink and a snack to break the fast together.

‎For a separate breakdown of services & events for young families over the High Holy Days, click here.