Free High Holiday services
Still need a place to go for the High Holidays but don't have the budget for tickets? There are many local synagogues that offer free services; here are some that I received information about. Although these services are free, some ask to call for tickets for security reasons and/or to ensure that there's enough space so be sure to do that. And remember, if you are able to make a contribution, I'm sure the congregations wouldn't mind! No comments yet. You can be the first!
L'Shana Tova!
Chabad
Chabad is well known for its "no pay to pray" services open to all and there are several centers to choose from in the Valley. Areas include Anthem, Arizona State University, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, North Phoenix, Phoenix and Scottsdale. New this year, Chabad will offer High Holiday services in Fountain Hills – with a full-time center projected to open in January, according to Rabbi Zalman Levertov, regional director of Chabad of Arizona. Chabad centers elsewhere in the state are in Flagstaff and Tucson. Visit chabadaz.com for details.
College students and military personnel
Beth El Congregation in Phoenix invites Jewish military personnel and college students away from home to all High Holiday services. In addition, several Beth El congregants will open their homes for Army, Navy and Air Force men and women to have lunch with congregant families after services on the first day of Rosh Hashana. For more details about this Conservative synagogue, visit bethelphoenix.com or call Executive Director Anne Schafer, 602-944-3359, ext. 109.
College students and military personnel can also receive free admission – with student I.D. or active military I.D. - to services at the Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University. E-mail erin@hillelasu.org.
Other synagogues might have the same arrangements - if you are a college student or in the military and there's a specific synagogue that has services you want to attend, it's worth a call. For a list of Valley synagogues, see the community directory at jewishaz.com.
Other
Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale is hosting free afternoon family services. Rosh Hashana services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Goldsmith Sanctuary at the synagogue. A Yom Kippur service will be held 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Chaparral Christian Church, located on Shea Boulevard, just east of N. 64th Street. The services will be led by all three clergy and members of CBI's senior youth group BITY. In addition, the Reform congregation's afternoon Yom Kippur services – including Yizkor and Neilah – are open to the community. Visit cbiaz.org for details.
Temple Chai's 10 a.m. service on the second day of Rosh Hashana is open to the community as well as its Tashlich service at Roadrunner park at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. The Reform congregation is in Phoenix. Visit templechai.com.
Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism will hold a free High Holiday service for children 9:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, Sept. 20, at Phoenix Country Day School, 3901 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. Visit oradam.org.
Beth Emeth Congregation, a Conservative congregation in Sun City West, is hosting two free community services: Rosh Hashana: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept 19, and a Yizkor service, 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28. All services require a ticket and a photo ID for entrance. Tickets must be obtained by Sept. 16. Call 623 584-7210, e-mail bethemeth1@juno.com or visit bethemethaz.org.
Rabbi Leo Abrami (who offered free services for the unaffiliated for the past two years through his Jewish Fellowship) had planned to hold free services this year in the West Valley but it was too close for comfort for two synagogues in the area so he canceled after leaders there expressed their concerns.
ShabbatLuck, a program for Jewish adults ages 21-39, is working with several synagogues in the Phoenix area for its Cool Shul Campaign. The synagogues are providing complimentary High Holiday tickets with a minimum donation. For more details, visit shabbatluck.com/coolshul.php.
15 Sep, 2009 >