L'Shana Tova from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven

 

Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and t'shuvah. We review our actions during the past year, and we look for ways to improve ourselves, our communities, and our world in the year to come. The holiday marks the beginning of a 10-day period, known as the Yamim Nora-im (“Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”), ushered in by Rosh HaShanah and culminating with Yom Kippur (the “Day of Atonement”). Rosh HaShanah is widely observed by Jews throughout the world, often with prayer and reflection in a synagogue. There also are several holiday rituals observed at home.

 

Rosh HaShanah is celebrated on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which – because of differences in the solar and lunar calendar – corresponds to September or October on the Gregorian or secular calendar. Customs associated with the holiday include sounding the shofar, eating a round challah, and tasting apples and honey to represent a sweet New Year.

 

To help you make the most of your High Holidays, we've curated these resources, below, from listings of local observances to holiday-themed recipes to messages from area rabbis and more! We hope that you make use of these resources to have a sweet, happy and healthy new year.

 

L'Shana Tova u'Metuka from our Federation family to yours!

A Guide to High Holiday Services in Greater New Haven

 

Chabad of Shelton


7 Rosedale Cir, Shelton 
(203) 364-4149 | jewishshelton.com

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah services
Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Community Holiday Dinner
Sept. 26, 10 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah morning service
Sept. 26, 11 a.m., Children’s program
Sept. 26, 11:30 a.m., Shofar blowing
Sept. 26, 5 p.m., Shofar in the Park
Sept. 27, 10 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah morning service
Sept. 27, 11 a.m., Children’s program
Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m., Shofar blowing

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Evening service
Oct. 5, 10 a.m., Morning services
Oct. 5, 11:15 a.m., Children’s program
Oct. 5, 12 p.m., Yizkor service
Oct. 5, 5:45 p.m., Mincha/Ne’ila
Oct. 5, 7:08 p.m. Yom Kippur ends

Chabad of the Shoreline


800 Village Walk #327, Guliford 
(203) 645-4635 | JewishShoreline.org


Reservations required; all welcome.

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 9 .m., Erev Rosh Hashanah morning services
Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Mincha & Evening Services followed by holiday dinner
Sep. 26, 9:30 a.m., First Day of Rosh Hashanah services, with children’s program at 11 a.m.
Sept. 26, 11:30 a.m., Shofar sounding
Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m., Mincha & Tashlich service
Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., Ma’ariv followed by holiday dinner
Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m., Shacharit, with children’s program 11 a.m.
Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m., Shofar sounding
Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m., Kiddush lunch

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 6:15 p.m., Kol Nidrei services
Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m., Shacharit, followed by children’s program at 11 a.m.
Oct. 5, 12:15 p.m., Yizkor Memorial service
Oct. 5, 4:45 p.m., Mincha & Neilah services
Oct. 5, 7:07 p.m., Fast end, followed by Break-Fast Meal (RSVP)

 

Sukkot

To purchase a Sukkah or a Lulav/Etrog set, call (203) 533- 7495 or email chabad@snet.net
Oct. 9, 9 a.m., First Day of Sukkot, Shacharit with Tefillin
Oct. 9, 6 p.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv followed by holiday dinner in the Sukkah
Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m. Second Day Sukkot, Shachrit
Oct. 10, 12 noon, Kiddush lunch in the Sukkah
Oct. 10, 6:15 p.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv, followed by holiday dinner in the Sukkah
Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m., Shacharit
Oct. 11, 12 noon, Kiddush lunch in the Sukkah
Oct. 11, 6:57, holiday ends

Hoshana Rabbah
Oct. 16, 9 a.m., Shacharit; the marching of the lulavim followed by breakfast in the Sukkah

 

Simchat Torah

Oct. 16, 5:45 p.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv services and Hakafot, followed by holiday dinner in the
Sukkah
Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m., Shacharit
Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m., Yizkor Memorial Service
Oct. 17, 12 noon, Kiddush lunch in the Sukkah
Oct. 17, 6:15 p.m., Mincha/ Ma’ariv services followed by Simchat Torah celebration; And buffet dinner 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 18, 10 a.m., Shacharit followed by Kiddish and Hakafot

Congregation B’nai Jacob


75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge 
(203) 389-2111 | bnaijacob.org

 

Selichot

Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., Film
Sept. 17, 9:15 p.m., Dessert reception
Sept. 17, 9:30 p.m., Service


Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 5 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah ‘Apples & Honey’ Young Family Service
Sept. 25, 6 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah service
Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah Service; with children programs, 10:30 a.m.-
12 noon
Sept. 26, 12 noon, Outdoor Shofar service
Sept. 26, 5 p.m, Tashlich, followed by Erev RH2 service
Sept. 27, 9 a.m., Second Day Rosh Hashanah service

 

Cemetery Service

Oct. 2, 12:30 p.m., B’nai Jacob Memorial Park, Wintergreen Ave.
(in case of rain, service at B’nai Jacob)
 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 6 p.m., Kol NIdre and Ma’ariv
Oct. 5, 9 a.m., Yom Kippur Service, with children’s programs at 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 5, 4:45 p.m., Mincha
Oct. 5, 6:15 p.m., Ne’ilah Under the Stars
Oct. 5, 7:08, Final Shofar blast

 

Sukkot

Oct. 9, 6 p.m., Erev Sukkot service
Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m., Shachrit (morning service)
Oct 10, 6 p.m. Ma’ariv (evening service) (Zoom only)
Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m., Shachrit
 

Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret

Oct. 16, 6 p.m., Ma’ariv (Zoom only)
Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m., Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah service
Oct. 17, 6 p.m., Simchat Torah Family service
Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m., Shacharit

Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI)


85 Harrison Street, New Haven 
(203) 389-2108 x114 | beki.org

Guests and visitors are welcome, but reservations are required for most services. Free admission can be arranged for full time students, active-duty military and police personnel.

 

Selichot
Sept. 17, 9 p.m. Selichot service

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 6 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah service
Sept. 26, 9 a.m. First Day Rosh Hashanah services; children’s services, 10:45 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Sept. 26, 5 p.m. Tashlich at Whitney Covered Museum Bridge
Sept. 26, 5 p.m. Tashlich at Edgewood Bridge (followed by Mincha/Maariv)
Sept. 27, 9 a.m. Second Day Rosh Hashanah Day service, with children’s services 10:45
a.m. and 12 p.m. .
Sept. 27, 5:45 p.m. Mincha

 

Shabbat Shuvah
Sept. 30, 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Oct. 1, 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Shuvah service, followed by children’s services at 10:45 .am.

Cemetery Services
Oct. 2, 10 a.m. Warner Street cemetery
Oct. 2, 11 a.m. Farwell Street cemetery

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 5:45 p.m. Erev Yom Kippur service (Kol Nidre)
Oct. 5, 9 a.m. Yom Kippur service; with children’s services at 10:45 a.m. & 12 p.m.; study
sessions 2:30 & 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 5, 5 p.m. Mincha, followed by Ne’ilah

 

Sukkot

Oct. 9, 5:45 Erev Sukkot Minchah/Maariv
Oct. 10, 9:15 a.m., First Day Sukkot services, followed by Sukkah Hop
Oct. 10, 5:45 p.m. Sukkah Hop Minchah & Ma’ariv
Oct. 11, 9:15 a.m. Second Day Sukkot Service
Oct. 11, 5:45 p.m. Mincha/Ma’ariv
Oct. 16, 9:15 a.m. Hoshanah Rabbah Shacharit

 

Simchat Torah

Oct. 16, 5:45 p.m. Mincha & Erev Shmini Atzeret
Oct. 17, 9:15 a.m. Shmini Atzeret services, including Yizkor
Oct. 17, 6 p.m. Mincha
Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. Erev Simchat Torah festivities
Oct. 18, 9:15 a.m. Simchat Torah Service
Oct. 18, Mincha 5:45 pm

Congregation Mishkan Israel


785 Ridge Road, Hamden 
(203) 288-3877 | cmihamden.org

 

Selichot
Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Selichot service - A joint URJ service with Temple Emanuel, held at Mishkan Israel

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 5 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah contemporary service
Sept. 25, 8 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah traditional service
Sept. 26, 9:15 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah, Young Family Service
Sept. 26, 10 a.m., Shacharit
Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. Youth Program/Service
Sept. 26, 2 p.m., Family Service
Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m., Second Day Rosh Hashanah service
Sept. 27, 12:30 p.m., Tashlich & picnic at bridge behind Eli Whitney Museum
 

Yom Kippur

Oct 4, 8 p.m., Kol Nidre Service
Oct. 5, 9:15 a.m., Young Family Service
Oct. 5, 10 a.m., Morning Service Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m., Tough Program/Service
Oct. 5, 1 p.m., Reflection Service
Oct. 5, 2 p.m., Family Service
Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m., Mincha
Oct. 5, 5:15 p.m., Yizkor
Oct. 5, 6 p.m., Ne’ilah & Havdalah

 

Sukkot

Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m., Sukkot services

 

Simchat Torah

Oct. 16, 6 p.m., Simchat Torah services
Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m, Simchat Torah with Yizkor services

Congregation Or Shalom


205 Old Grassy Hill Road, Orange
(203) 799-2341 | orshalomct.org


No tickets are needed for Erev Rosh Hashanah, Alternative Services held at High Plains
Community Center (525 Orange Center Road, Orange @ the Gazebo- Rain or Shine) or Kol Nidre. Tickets needed for all other services. (Bring your own chair to HPCC).

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah evening service
Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah, Shacharit
Sept. 26, 9 a.m., Torah service
Sept 26, 10 a.m., Rabbi Wainhaus’ sermon
Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m., Shofar sounding in synagogue and at High Plains Gazebo
Sept. 26, 11 a.m., Outdoor Alternative Service at High Plains Gazebo
Sept. 26, 12 noon, Tashlich, meet at Wright’s Pond
Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv service in sanctuary
Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m.,Second Day of Rosh Hashanah, ShacharitsService
Sept. 27, 9 a.m., Torah Service

Sept. 27, 10 a.m., Sermon by Rabbi James
Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m., Service at Synagogue ends
Sept. 27, 11 a.m., Service at High Plains
Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m., Mincha/Ma’ariv service in Sanctuary

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 6 p.m., “Operation
Isaiah” collection of non-perishable
food for the needy
Oct. 4, 6:16. p.m., Kol Nidre
service
Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m. Shacharit
Oct. 5, 9:15 a.m. Torah Service
Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m. Rabbi meets
children for retelling of the Story
of Jonah (location TBD)
Oct. 5, 10 a.m. Sermon by
Rabbi Wainhaus
Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m. Yizkor service
Oct. 5, 4 p.m., Community Yizkor service
Oct. 5, 5 p.m. Mincha service followed by Neilah service
Oct. 5, 7:15 p.m., Shofar Sounding, ending Yom Kippur (in lieu of a break fast there will be a grab and go snack and drink.)

Temple Beth David


3 Main St. Cheshire 
(203) 272-0037 | tbdchester.org

 

Services will be in person (call for COVID protocols) and on Zoom at zoom.tbdcheshire.org.

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah Services
Sept. 26, 10 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah services
Sept. 27, 10 a.m., Second Day Rosh Hashanah services

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 7 p.m., Erev Yom Kippur services, Kol Nidre
Oct. 5, 10:00 a.m. Yom Kippur services
Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m, Yom Kippur Family Services
Oct. 5, 2:30 p.m., Yom Kippur Study Session
Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m., Mincha
Oct. 5, 4:30 p.m.,· Yizkor
Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m., Neilah
Oct. 5, 6. p.m., Shofar blowing

Temple Beth Sholom


1809 Whitney Ave., Hamden 
(203) 288-7748 | tbshamden.org


Services are in-person and virtual services.

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah services
Sept. 26, 9 a.m., First Day Rosh Hashanah services
Sept. 27, 6:45 p.m., Second Night services
Sept. 8, 9 a.m., Second Day services

 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 6:15 p.m., Kol Nidre
Oct. 5, 9 a.m., Morning services
Oct. 5, 4:15 p.m., Mincha/Yizkor/Ne’ilah

Temple Emanuel


150 Derby Ave., Orange 
(203) 397-3000 | tegnh.org


Children’s Services for grades preK-5. Younger children welcome if accompanied by adult. Reservations needed.

 

Rosh Hashana

Sept. 25, 8 p.m., Erev Rosh Hashanah. Oneg following servs.
Sept. 26, 10 a.m., First Day Rosh Shashanah service and Children’s service; kiddish followed by Tashlich after services.
Sept. 27, 10 a.m., Second Day Rosh Hashanah, Kiddish to follow
 

Yom Kippur

Oct. 4, 8 p.m., Kol Nidrei/Erev Yom Kippur Service
Oct. 5, 10 a.m. Yom Kippur Morning service and Children’s Service*
Oct. 5, 4:15 p.m., Mincha/Afternoon Service
Oct. 5, 5:45 p.m. Yizkor/Memorial Service, Neilah/Service follows by break fast

 

Sukkot

Oct. 9, 9:30 p.m., Sukkot family program, Sukkah building & potluck lunch in the Sukkah
Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. Erev Sukkot Service
Oct. 15, 6 p.m., Erev Simchat Torah/Consecration Service

 

Simchat Torah

Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Erev Simchat Torah services.

High Holy Days Recipes

Ophra’s Mushroom Soup
(Dairy, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free) | Serves 6
Longtime home cook Ophra Kimberg generously shared this recipe with us.

 

COOK’S TIPS:
*Cauliflower is the soup thickener.
*Chopped onions are available fresh or frozen.
*Buy canned mushrooms, pieces and stems.
*Cauliflower should be soft before adding to onions and mushrooms.
*When doubling the recipe, freeze in two batches.
*For a pareve dish, substitute olive oil for butter.
*For a dairy dish, top with a spoonful of sour cream or plain yogurt.

 

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cauliflower florets
3 tablespoons butter
½ cup diced onions
1 can (14 oz.), plus 1 (7 oz.) can mushrooms, stems and pieces, drained
2 teaspoons bottled chopped garlic
⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons pareve bouillon powder
3 cups vegetarian broth
white pepper and salt to taste

 

DIRECTIONS: Place cauliflower in a microwave-safe dish with 1 to 2 tablespoons
water. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave 4 minutes or until very soft. Drain.
Set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the cauliflower,
onions, mushrooms, garlic, thyme and bouillon powder. Cook over medium heat until
onion is transparent. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often. Cool slightly before
transferring to food processor. Add the broth and process until slightly grainy (longer if a smoother mixture is preferred). Season to taste with white pepper and salt. Cool before pouring into a container. Cover tightly, label and freeze.

Rich Banana Dessert Kugel
(Dairy) | Serves 8-10

COOK’S TIPS:
*Leave butter and cream cheese at room temperature for several hours to soften.
*May use overripe bananas.

INGREDIENTS:
About half an 8-oz. package of fine egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 bananas, thinly sliced
1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon-sugar

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking dish
with nonstick vegetable spray. Spread cooked noodles over bottom of baking dish.
Spread bananas over to cover. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whip the butter, cream cheese and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 1
to 2 min. Beat in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Pour over bananas. Sprinkle with cinnamon-
sugar. Bake in preheated oven 50 minutes or until almost firm to touch in center.
Cool completely before sealing with aluminum foil, labeling and popping into freezer.

Ginger-Spiked Fruit Soup
(Pareve, Vegetarian) | Serves 6

Super-easy: Just place all ingredients, except the ginger, in blender and whirl. Serve chilled.

COOK’S TIPS:
*Use fresh squeezed lemon juice, not bottled.
*Ginger root, not powdered ginger, should be used.
*May substitute apple juice for orange juice.
*For a dairy soup, stir ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt into thawed soup.
*If too thick, add a little more orange juice.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 oz.) can pitted cherries, drained
1 cup whole cranberry sauce
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 large lemons)
1 cup orange juice
½ cup water
1 slice (½-inch thick) challah or white bread, crumbled
2-3 tablespoons coarsely grated ginger root to taste

DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients, except ginger root in blender jar or food
processor. Whirl until smooth. Stir in grated ginger root to taste. Pour into freezer
container, cover tightly, label and freeze.

Easy Vegetable Lasagna for a Crowd
(Dairy) | Serves 24

COOK’S TIPS:
*Don’t be intimidated by the long ingredient list
or directions. Ingredients are all ready to use.
*May divide ingredients into two containers each that serves 10 to 12.
*Full-fat ricotta, sour cream and milk may be used, if desired.
*Dry thawed chopped spinach by rolling tightly in clean tea towel.
*Reheat, thawed, at 325 degrees, for 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 oz.) package skim-milk ricotta cheese
1 (16 oz.) package low-fat sour cream
½ cup skim milk
1¼ teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 (16 oz.) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
1 (10.5 oz.) “no cook” lasagna noodles
1 (12 oz.) jar roasted sliced red peppers, drained
1 (12 oz.) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1½ cups frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup water

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.. Spray a 13×9-inch lasagna pan with
nonstick vegetable spray.. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, sour cream, skim milk and
pepper. Set aside.
Spread half the spaghetti sauce over the bottom of prepared pan. Cover with 3 lasagna
noodles and top with about 1/3 cheese mixture. Cover with roasted pepper and half the
artichokes. Repeat with 3 lasagna noodles and half the remaining cheese mixture.
Cover with remaining artichokes and the spinach. Top with remaining cheese mixture.
Sprinkle with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Pour ¾ cup water into one corner of
pan, tilting to distribute water to other corners. Cover tightly to seal with heavy-duty foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.
Cool completely before sealing with foil. Label and freeze.

Kid's Corner


This beautiful new PJ Library guide explores ways for your family to celebrate the three-week Jewish holiday season that begins with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year).

 

You can download the guide in English, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish below. Printed copies of the guide are available for purchase at Amazon.com.

 

And visit PjLibrary.com for a digital companion to A Time to Grow: A PJ Library Family Guide for Starting the Jewish New Year, including holiday-themed songs, crafts and activities for children and families.