Chabad Offers High Holidays Services for Adults and Children

Chabad Offers Services Geared for Jews of All Backgrounds and Ages with Pre-registered Online Reservation

With just a few weeks before the onset of the Jewish New Year, the question of where to attend services is high on the list for many Jewish families and singles. Recognizing the often high price tag attached to the experience, the Chabad Center of Natick is offering their friendly and welcoming services for individuals of all ages in the MetroWest Jewish community.
While some may not be affiliated with a synagogue, others may find the cost to attend unaffordable, particularly in light of today's economy. The Chabad Center is dedicated to removing entry barriers and ensuring that all who wish to participate in a meaningful celebration of the Jewish New Year may do so.
By providing “Contribute as You Wish” Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in a warm and inclusive setting, the Chabad Center hopes to accommodate those who may otherwise not be celebrating the holiday. Chabad's "user-friendly" services make for an enjoyable and meaningful experience for both the beginner and the advanced. Song, commentary and the use of English-Hebrew prayer-books invite individuals of all levels to become active participants in the service.

Children’s Services
Children will enjoy fun and educational programs while parents attend services during the High Holidays. There will we be games, stories, discussions, prayers and songs.

Register Online and Security
"According to Jewish tradition, the gates of Heaven are open on the New Year, and G-d accepts prayers from everyone," said Rabbi Levi Fogelman of the Chabad Center, “That serves as our inspiration to keep our doors open as well to the entire community."
At the same time that we strive to be a welcoming community, however, Synagogue security is of primary importance, especially for the purpose of proper prayer.
“A synagogue needs to be a warm safe haven where one can strengthen one’s self from within, without distractions from the outside,” said Rabbi Fogelman. “So yes, we now have a wonderful Security team
who carefully plan and continuously update new measures. They are attentive, unassuming and have had professional security training “We are now also requiring that everyone pre-register online. We want everyone attending to feel safe and secure.”

Accessible to all Jews
Rabbi Fogelman continued, "The Lubavitcher Rebbe — Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory — insisted that Judaism be made accessible to all Jews. During the High Holidays, accessibility can translate into different factors for different people, such as a nonjudgmental atmosphere, affordability of the services or the ability for a beginner to follow along. Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and encourage each and every Jew to actively participate in these most holy and introspective days."
For decades, Chabad-Lubavitch — an international Jewish organization that firmly believes Jewish traditions and customs are the birthright of every Jew, and that every Jew should have access to them — has made High Holiday services available free of charge, a model other synagogues and organizations around the world are aiming to replicate.

Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sundown on Sunday, September 29, and extends until nightfall on Tuesday, October 1. Yom Kippur begins Tuesday, October 8 at sundown and extends until nightfall on Wednesday, October 9.

For more information about the Chabad Center of Natick’s services or to reserve a space, visit www.ChabadNatick.com or call 508-650-1499.
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Event Recap:
What: High Holidays Services Where: Chabad Center, 159 Boden Lane, Natick

When: September 29th, 30th, October 1st, 8th and 9th

Cost: None

How: Online Reservations Required at ChabadNatick.com

About the High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is observed this year beginning at sundown on September 29 through nightfall on October 1. Literally meaning “head of the year,” the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday.
Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Beginning this year on the evening of October 8 until after nightfall on October 9, it marks the culmination of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, G-d decides each person’s fate on this day, so Jews mark the day by
making amends and asking forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed by fasting and prayers.

For more information about the High Holidays visit www.ChabadNatick.com/HighHolidays.

About the Sponsoring Organization
Chabad Center of Natick offers Jewish education, outreach and social-service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations.
For more information, contact the Chabad Center of Natick at 508-650-1499, or email Rabbi@ChabadNatick.com or visit www.ChabadNatick.com.