High Holidays

In 2009, Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of Friday, September 18. Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Sunday, September 27.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and begins a period of 10 days of repentance which leads up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).

Scroll down for lots of other Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur materials!

Click here for Streaming Services: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Broadcasts

Here’s a three minute overview of Rosh Hashanah.


Rosh Hashanah 101 and Yom Kippur 101:

Rosh Hashanah Background Information

Yom Kippur Background Information

Video Streamed Services:

Our 2009 services can be found here.

Our 2008 services can be found here.

Sermons/Essays:

Read Rabbi Robert Barr’s thoughts on Why I Don’t Read the Binding of Isaac on Rosh Hashanah

Read Rabbi Robert Barr’s thoughts on Reading the Sodom and Gomorrah Story

Children’s Stories for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:

The Mona Lisa: A High Holiday Children’s Story (pdf format)

The Messiest Torah story: A High Holiday Children’s Story (pdf format)

Midrashim (Creative Stories For Adults) with Discussion Questions:

Abraham and the Idols: A Modern Midrash

Smashing of the Idols Part II: A Modern Midrash

Barr’s Banter (Brief Podcast on Contemporary Jewish Thought):

Why (not) Two Days of Rosh Hashanah

Sounding the Shofar on the Sabbath

High Holidays - Early or Late?

Congress, The Economic Bailout, and Rosh Hashanah (originally posted October 7, 2008)

For Families with Children:

High Holiday Activities for Children - Art and edible projects for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur include honey cups, apple stamping, New Year’s cards, cookies, and resolutions.  Check them out!

High Holiday Discussion Ideas for Families with Children

Audio Files:

Check out our audio files of sermons, midrashim, Kol Nidrei chanted, and Torah portions from our High Holiday services from previous years.