The Jewish new year starts this month with Rosh Hashana services and celebrations, continues with a 10-day period of repentance and forgiveness, and culminates on the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The public is invited to participate in these observances:
>> Chabad of Hawaii: Rosh Hashana carnival, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Activity and game booths, and the baking of traditional challah bread.
Services at the Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive; for a detailed schedule, visit chabadofhawaii.com. Call 735-8161 or email info@chabadofhawaii.com. Pre-paid reservations for dinners are required.
>> Congregation Sof Ma’arav: Rosh Hashana, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 13, with dessert potluck after services; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15, with apples and honey after services. Yom Kippur, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22 (Kol Nidre); 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23, with a potluck to break the fast.
Services at First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Highway. Email sandrazarmstrong@gmail.com. Cost varies from $50 to $250 for nonmembers.
>> Oahu Jewish Ohana: Erev Rosh Hashana, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13; Rosh Hashana Day, 9 a.m. Sept. 14, followed by potluck, and Tashlich, 2:30 p.m. at Ala Wai Park, meet at pavilion parking lot. Yom Kippur, 6 p.m. Sept. 22 (Kol Nidre); 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 23, followed by light refreshments to break the fast.
Services at Moiliili Hongwanji, 902 University Ave. Email oahujewishohana@gmail.com. Holiday services are free to ohana members; donation of $175 requested of nonmembers. Rabbi Peter Schaktman will be joined by Associate Cantor Deborah Johnson of Providence, R.I., a former soprano with the internationally acclaimed Zamir chorale of Boston.
>> Temple Emanu-el: Erev Rosh Hashana, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, child care available. Rosh Hashana Day, 10 a.m. Sept. 14, child care available; “A Birthday Party for the World,” 3 p.m. at Magic Island Park (for families with children ages 2-12); Tashlich and potluck, 4 p.m. at Magic Island. Erev Yom Kippur, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 (Kol Nidre), with no late admittance until chanting is complete, child care available. Yom Kippur, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sept. 23; “Being a Better Me” ( for families with children ages 2-12), 3 p.m.; Torah and haftarah readings, 4 p.m.; “Break the Fast,” 7 p.m. The temple is at 2550 Pali Highway. Call 595-7521 or email executivedirector@shaloha.com. Make reservations and buy tickets at bit.ly/1PHVkXo. A suggested donation of $250 covers all four days of services, though that amount is flexible. Active-duty, enlisted military members and college students are admitted free.
