Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah

Schedule of Services

Erev Rosh Hashanah

Erev Rosh Hashanah, Monday, September 22, 6:30-7:30 pm

Join us to welcome the New Year in prayer and song, led by Rabbi Rosalind Glazer and Cantorial Soloist Sam Tygiel. Attend in person in the historic Sanctuary or over Zoom.

Rosh Hashanah Day 1

Tuesday, September 23

Sanctuary Service and Zoom 9:00 am – 12:15 pm

Services will be led by Rabbi Rosalind Glazer and Cantorial Soloist Sam Tygiel.

Schedule of service:
Services begin: 9 am
Torah Service: 10:25 am
Sermon: 11:10 am

Shofar: 11:25 am
End: 12:30 pm

The zoom link will be sent via email, or contact the office.

Resources for Rosh Hashanah

Babysitting, Youth, Teen & Family Programming

Family Programming – Rosh Hashanah Day 1
We’re excited to offer a vibrant morning of High Holiday experiences for children and teens:

  • Babysitting for ages 2½–5 is available from 9 am through the end of services in the Preschool Classroom.

  • At 9:30 am, teens (ages 14–18) can join “The Book of Life: Escape Room Adventure” in the Library—a 60-minute, team-based challenge full of clues, puzzles, and High Holiday meaning. Please come on time!
  • A joyful, musical Family Service led by Ilene Kanoff takes place 9:30–10:30 am in the Social Hall. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • From 10:30 to 11:30 am, children and preteens can join engaging, age-specific Youth Programs, including crafts, games, and holiday-themed fun in various classrooms.

  • Children in all youth programs except for babysitting will return to the sanctuary in time for the shofar service.

Registration is required for all youth programming.

See our Family Programming page for more details about High Holiday activities for each age group and other resources for families!

Yes! I want to register for babysitting, family or youth programming

Tashlich

Tuesday afternoon, September 23

During tashlich, we continue the theme of starting anew by casting our sins into the water, then listen to a dramatic blast of shofar. All are invited to this family-friendly event. Choose among the three locations and times below. We will provide bird seed to toss into the water.

1:00 pm, or immediately following services in Prescott Park, Portsmouth
3:30 pm, Swasey Park (Boat Launch), Exeter
3:30 pm, Henry Law Park, Dover (Tot story time will follow tashlich in Dover’s Henry Law Park, led by Dinah Birch.)

*Tashlich does not require registration. Please come to whichever location is most convenient for you!

Resources for Tashlich

Rosh Hashanah Day 2

Wednesday, September 24
Sanctuary Service and Zoom 9 am – 12:15 pm

Service schedule:
Services begin: 9 am
Torah: 10:20 am
Sermon: 11:10 am
Shofar: 11:25 am
End: 12:15 pm

Family Programming
There is no family service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Instead we’re offering kids and teens a joyful morning of creative, age-appropriate High Holiday experiences for kids and teens:

  • Babysitting for ages 2½–5 is available from 9 am through the end of services in the Preschool Classroom.
  • From 10:30 to 11:30 am, children and preteens will explore the season through hands-on Youth Programs like the Apple Relay Race, Middot Match-Up, Teshuva River Run, and more.
  • Teens (ages 14–18) are invited to “The Path Forward: A Journey Through Values”  10:30–11:30 am in the Board Room—an interactive, movement-based exploration of Jewish middot.

Registration is required for all youth programming.

See our Family Programming page for more details about High Holiday activities for each age group and other resources for families!

Yes! I want to register for babysitting, family or youth programming

Rosh Hashanah for Families

We warmly welcome your family to join us for Rosh Hashanah! Changing tables are available in both the womens’ and mens’ bathrooms. Busy bags and High Holiday-related children’s books are available in the main sanctuary and the library. Ask an usher to point them out!

Baby sitting, story time, youth services and a teen program are part of our holiday observance. Registration and information are included in the main High Holiday registration form. Questions? Contact Dinah Berch, webmaster@templeisraelnh.org.

Blog: Celebrating High Holidays with Kids