The past year has been especially challenging for Jews worldwide, with antisemitism on the rise and global unrest spreading.
But with the High Holy Days nearing, Palm Beach’s Jewish community is holding hope for a year of peace, resilience, and healing.
“This past year has continued to be one of challenge and complexity for the Jewish people in particular as well as for America and the world in general,” Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue told the Daily News.
“Yet, in the face of adversity, we have witnessed extraordinary unity, strength and faith. Rosh Hashanah marks the creation of the world and therefore the season of reflection, repentance and renewal. We pray that it will bring health, happiness and peace to us and all of mankind.”
Rabbi Zalman Levitin of Chabad House of Palm Beach agreed that the Jewish High Holy Days mark a season of joy, reflection, and fresh beginnings.
“As we approach Rosh Hashanah and a brand new year, it’s a time to reflect on the past year and consider how we can improve in the coming year,” he said. “The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, taught that on a personal level, we can make resolutions for spiritual growth which has an immediate impact on all areas of our lives, and that on a universal level, Rosh Hashanah marks the birthday of Adam and Eve, the ancestors of all humanity.
“So when Jews gather in the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, we tap into the level of our souls where we’re all connected and we’re all created in God’s image and deserving of loving kindness and respect, not just in thought, but in practical action.”
The Jewish New Year festival of Rosh Hashanah is scheduled for Sept. 22-24. It is marked by the blowing of the shofar, and begins 10 days of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur on Oct. 1 and 2.
Eliza Tizabgar and Ella Levitin, 3, pack candles into boxes to be included with packages of honey and honey cake along with a High Holy Days handbook for members of the community Sept. 18 at the Chabad House in Palm Beach.
Chabad House
The Chabad House will hold High Holy Days celebrations at The Colony Hotel, 155 Hammon Ave., with reservations required for services and meals. To reserve a seat for services or for Rosh Hashanah meals, visit palmbeachjewish.com/highholidays or call 561-659-3884. The cost for the meals is $125 per adult and $75 per child; nonmembers are $150 per adult and $85 per child. To reserve a hotel room, contact the hotel directly at (561) 655-5430.
For Rosh Hashanah:
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On Sept. 22, there will be a candle lighting at 6:58 p.m., followed by a service and dinner at 7 p.m. A children’s program runs from 7-8 p.m.
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On Sept. 23, morning services begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a sermon and shofar at noon. A kiddush lunch will follow services. A children’s program runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Shofar and tashlich will be held at the Worth Avenue Clock Tower at 5 p.m., followed by evening services and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Candle lighting is scheduled for 7:49 p.m. Children’s programming runs from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
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On Sept. 24, morning services begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a sermon and shofar at noon. A kiddush lunch will follow services. A children’s program runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The holiday ends at 7:48 p.m.
For Yom Kippur:
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On Oct. 1, a pre-fast meal will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a candle lighting. Reservations are required for the meal. Fast begins at 6:48 p.m., and Kol Nidre services start at 7 p.m. Children’s programming runs from 7-8 p.m.
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On Oct. 2, morning services start at 9:30 a.m., followed by a sermon and yizkor at 12:30 p.m. Children’s programming runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Neilah and a concluding service start at 5:30 p.m. They will be followed by a complimentary break-the-fast. Children’s programming begins at 6 p.m. The holiday and fasting end at 7:39 p.m.
The Chabad House pm Sept. 18 packed 400 boxes of honey, honey cake and candles along with a High Holy Days handbook for members of the community.
Palm Beach Synagogue
Palm Beach Synagogue at 120 N. County Road will host a series of High Holy Days events that include adult services, holiday meals and youth and teen programming. Reservations are required for all meals and services. Space is limited. For information or to register, visit https://members.palmbeachsynagogue.org/form/high-holidays-5786.html.
For Rosh Hashanah:
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On Sept. 22, there will be a candle lighting at 6:58 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. service and dinner.
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On Sept. 23, there will be a morning service at 8:30 a.m., followed by toddler and youth groups at 10:30 a.m., teen lounge at 10:30 a.m., and a sermon, shofar and Musaf at 11 a.m. A holiday lunch will follow. At 5 p.m., the shofar will be blown at CityPlace in West Palm Beach, followed by tashlich and shofar on the beach at 6:30 p.m. Evening services begin at 7 p.m., followed by a candle lighting at 7:49 p.m.
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On Sept. 24, there will be a morning service at 8:30 a.m., followed by toddler and youth groups at 10:30 a.m., teen lounge at 10:30 a.m., and a sermon, shofar and musaf at 11 a.m. A holiday lunch will follow. Evening services will be held at 7 p.m. The holiday ends at 7:48 p.m.
For Yom Kippur:
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On Oct. 1, there will be a mincha service at 5 p.m., followed by a pre-fast meal. A candle lighting is scheduled for 6:48 p.m. Toddler and youth groups and Kol Nidre begin at 6:45 p.m.
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On Oct. 2, morning services begin at 9 a.m., followed by toddler and youth groups and teen lounge at 10:30 a.m.; a sermon and yizkor at 1:30 p.m.; mincha and neilah services at 5:30 p.m.; and shofar blowing at 7:29 p.m. A complimentary break-the-fast meal will follow.
Hindy Krasnianski, left, leads a Palm Beach Synagogue Rosh Hashanah Honey Bee Mommy and Me event Sept. 2 at a private home in Palm Beach to commemorate the Jewish New Year.
Temple Emanu-El
Tickets are required for Rosh Hashanah services Sept. 22-24, and Yom Kippur services Oct. 1-2 at Temple Emanu-El, 190 N. County Road. Complimentary kiddush/meals will be provided after Day 1 and 2 of Rosh Hashanah, and break-the-fast after the conclusion of Yom Kippur. For information or to register, visit www.tepb.org/services/high-holidays/ or call 561-832-0804.
For Rosh Hashanah:
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On Sept. 22, dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. RSVP is required. Evening services begin at 7 p.m.
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On Sept. 23, morning services start at 9 a.m. A family service will be held at 10 a.m., followed by snack time at 11 a.m. and children’s programming at 11:30 a.m. A tween/teen service will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a walk down to the water for tashlich at 11 a.m., a snack at 11:45 a.m. and an activity at noon. Tashlich will follow at 2 p.m.
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On Sept. 24, morning services start at 9 a.m.
For Yom Kippur:
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On Oct. 1, Dinner will be served at 4:45 p.m. RSVP is required. Kol Nidre services are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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On Oct. 2, morning services will begin at 9 a.m., followed by yizkor at 11 a.m., a study session with Rabbi Resnick at 3 p.m., mincha at 4:15 p.m., neilah at 6:30 p.m., and break-the-fast at 7:30 p.m. A family service will be held at 10 a.m., followed by snack time at 11 a.m. children’s programming at 11:30 a.m. A tween/teen service will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a snack at 11:45 a.m. and an activity at noon.
New Synagogue
Cantor Alex Kalb and Rabbi Benyamin Bortz will join New Synagogue for the High Holy Days. Membership is not required to attend any services. To register, visit https://www.newsynagogue.org/2025-high-holidays-registration/. For information, call 561-514-4064. New Synagogue is at 235 Sunrise Ave.
For Rosh Hashanah:
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On Sept. 22, a candle lighting will be held at 6:58 p.m., followed by evening services at 7 p.m.
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On Sept. 23, morning services will take place at 8:30 a.m. A children’s service led by Dr. Wendy Weiner starts at 10 a.m. Shofar blowing and rabbi’s message begin at 10:15 a.m. Kiddush lunch follows services. Tashlich is scheduled for 5:50 p.m., and will be followed by mincha and ma’ariv at 7 p.m. Candle lighting is at 7:50 p.m.
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On Sept. 24, morning services begin at 8:30 a.m. Rabbi’s message and shofar blowing start at 10:15 a.m. A kiddush lunch will follow. Mincha starts at 6:45, and will be followed by ma’ariv and havdalah a 7:49 p.m.
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On Sept. 25, New Synagogue will observe the Feast of Gedaliah. Fasting begins at 6:01 a.m. and ends at 7:48 p.m.
For Yom Kippur:
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On Oct. 1, a pre-fast meal (reservation required) will begin at 4:20 p.m., followed by Mincha services. Candle lighting is at 6:48 p.m., followed by Kol Nidre at 6:50 p.m.
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On Oct. 2, morning services will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a sermon and Yizkor at 10:30 am. Mincha starts at 5 p.m, followed by neilah at 6:25 p.m. The shofar will be sounded at 7:40 p.m., followed by ma’ariv and havdalah services. The evening will conclude with a break-the-fast meal (reservation required).
Palm Beach County School District-operated schools, including Palm Beach Public Elementary School, will be closed Sept. 23. Palm Beach Day Academy also will be closed.
The town’s Architectural Commission, which typically meets on the last Wednesday of the month, has pushed its meeting from Sept. 24 to Sept. 25. The board will meet at 9 a.m. at Town Hall.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach temples preparing for upcoming Jewish High Holy Days
