Rosh Hashanah & Youth Programming at Temple Israel

Temple Israel of Alameda Welcomes Community to High Holy Day Services

Alameda, CA — Temple Israel of Alameda invites the community to join in the observance of the Jewish High Holy Days, a sacred season of reflection, renewal, and hope. Services are free and will be available both in-person and online, with advance registration required. Rosh Hashanah services will be led by Rabbi Zoe McCoon with soloist Audrey Babcock. Rabbi Elizheva Hurvich will lead Selichot and Yom Kippur services, with soloist Nathan Savant joining her for Yom Kippur. 

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown on Friday, September 11th, ushering in a time for reflection on the past year and aspirations for the year ahead. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20th, with services and presentations throughout the day on Monday, September 21st. Visit the website for the complete schedule and details about the special educational programming for youth. 

Rabbi Zoe McCoon returns to Temple Israel with her musical and fun approach to services that resonates with worshippers across the generations. Ordained in 2021, she is also the Community Educator for Shalom Bayit, the Bay Area's center for Domestic Violence prevention in the Jewish Community. Rabbi Elizheva Hurvich is a popular Bay Area Jewish educator and ordained rabbi who blends Renewal, Reform, and Conservative traditions into services for a unique worship experience. Soloist Audrey Babcock joins Temple Israel for the first time, participating in the Rosh Hashanah services. She is an accomplished, award-winning mezzo-soprano who has served as a soloist at congregations for over twenty years. Bay Area native Nathan Savant is a bass-baritone returning to Temple Israel as the soloist for Yom Kippur.  Together, their experiences with sacred music and languages will deeply enhance the services. 

For children in Pre-K through 5th grade, Temple Israel is offering a new approach this year to observing these most important holidays. For Rosh Hashanah, children will have the opportunity to attend a special morning of holiday activities and programming with the Director of Education, Dr. Jenn Levine, on Saturday, September 12. For Yom Kippur, youth (K - 7th grade) will be able to register for a “Day of Learning” on Sunday, September 20, followed by a short service and the “Reading of Jonah.” More information is on the website. 

Families with young children are invited to a special Sukkot experience in Temple Israel’s Sukkah on Sunday, September 27, at 10:00 am, before the Annual Sukkah Hop. More details to come. 

Visit www.templeisraelalameda.org/high-holy-days for the complete schedule, service leader bios, and the registration form. Registration is required for security purposes. Donations are accepted during the registration process to help underwrite the increased costs of these very special services, including making donations per child who may need childcare. Parking is free. 

About Temple Israel of Alameda

Temple Israel, founded in 1920, is a Reform congregation serving Alameda and the surrounding East Bay communities, located at 3183 Mecartney Road. The temple fosters community, celebrates Judaism, promotes lifelong learning, and welcomes friends of all backgrounds who wish to connect with Jewish traditions, values, and community.
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