How to use this page:
If you are interested in an chronological overview of the festivals and holy days that make up the High Holy Day season, scroll down.
But if you would like to go directly to information on a specific festival or holy day, use this table of contents:
✡ The End of the Hebrew Year: Av & Elul
✡ The Days of Awe — Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur
✡ The End of the Hebrew Year: Av & Elul
A listing of Har Zion programming for the months of Av and Elul 5786 is here: Celebrating the End of the Jewish Year
Har Zion celebrates the end of the Hebrew year during the Hebrew months of Av and Elul, which in 5786 is from July 15, 2026, to September 11, 2026. From adult education classes to our yearly Shofar Walk, there is something for everyone.
Jews observe two holidays in the month of Av. First is the solemn Tisha B’Av, the 9th of Av, which begins on the evening of Wednesday, August 22, 2026. Erev Tisha B’Av Jews remember the Destruction of the Second Temple and other tragedies in Jewish history. A week later, on July 29, is a much lighter holiday, Tu B.Av, the 15th of Av, also known as the “Jewish Valentine’s Day.”
The month of Elul is particularly inspirational, as we sound the shofar every day in Elul in our daily minyan.
The climax of the month of Elul is Selichot Program, Dessert, and Musical Service. The 5786/2026 Selichot service is on Saturday, September 5. It is a solemn evening service that marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. Har Zion’s service combines the traditional soulful liturgy of Selichot with the accompaniment of classical musicians to open the themes of the holiday. We will share dessert on the patio (weather permitting).
Selichot is always the last Saturday evening in the last month of the year, Elul. This year it is the 23rd of Elul, Saturday evening, September 5. Selichot’s soulful musical service with a theme of repentance, begins with 7pm talk, then 7:30pm dessert, and finally, at 8pm, the musical service.
Details of the 5786 Selichot musical service at Har Zion and a link to register for dessert are here: Selichot Program, Dessert, and Musical Service
✡ The Days of Awe
The Days of Awe, 1st through 10th of Tishrei
The Days of Awe is the ten day period that begins with Rosh Hashanah day 1, the 1st day of Tishrei, and culminates on Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur, the 10th day of Tishrei
Details of 5787 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services and programming at Har Zion are here: The Days of Awe
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah 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. In 2026/5787, in the diaspora, Rosh Hashanah is observed from sundown on Friday, September 11, though sundown on Sunday, September 13.
Rosh Hashanah, 1st and 2nd of Tishrei, the first two days in the Hebrew year.
- Evening of Friday, September 11, Erev Rosh Hashanah: 6pm Evening Service
- Saturday, September 12, Rosh Hashanah Day 1:
- Main services: 8:45am Shacharit service as part of the Shabbat morning service
- Camp Shana Tovah services for children: 10am service for preschool children and a responsible adult, 11am service for children in grades K through 7, and 12:30pm special programming for teens
- Sunday, September 13, Rosh Hashanah Day 2:
- Main programming: 8:45am Shacharit service; approximately 2:30pm Tashlich at Thatcher Woods Pond
- Camp Shana Tovah services for children: 11am service for children in grades K through 7, and 12:30pm special programming for teens
Information on Rosh Hashanah 5787 at Har Zion are here: Rosh Hashanah: Services and Schedule
Kol Nidre
Our Kol Nidre services are solemn, majestic, and beautiful, creating a moving and profound beginning to the holiest day of the Jewish year. We ask God to forgive us for promises we make in the coming year that we may not be able to keep.
In 5787/2026, Kol Nidre begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20: Erev Yom Kippur: Kol Nidre service, 7pm
Yom Kippur, 10th of Tishrei
The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It marks the end of the 10 days of repentance and is spent in fasting and prayer. Sounding the shofar signals the holiday’s end. Observant Jews do not eat, drink (including water), bathe or wear anything made of leather.
Yom Kippur is observed on Monday, September 21, concluding at sundown. Worshippers are invited to Break the Fast at the temple at the conclusion of the Yom Kippur evening service.
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- Main programming: 8:45am Shacharit service; approximately approximately 12:15pm, Yizkor 4;15pm Q & A with Rabbi Glick 5pm Mincha & Neilah, about 8pm Community Break the Fast
- Camp Shana Tovah services for children: 11am service for children in grades K through 7, and 12:30pm special programming for teens
Information on Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur is here: Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur at Har Zion
After the High Holy Days — Sukkot and Beyond
✡ Sukkot
The week-long harvest festival of Sukkot commemorates the dwelling of the Israelites in tents during their 40-year journey in the Sinai desert. Many families build their own sukkah, in which it is customary to eat meals, sleep and shake the lulav, a palm frond bound together with myrtle and willow branches, and the etrog, a type of citrus. (purchase them here)
Sukkot 5787, 15-21 Tishrei, from Friday evening, September 25, to Sunday, October 4. In the Diaspora, the last two days of Sukkot are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
- Evening of Friday, September 25, Salmon in the Sukkah
- Saturday, September 26, 10am, Sukkot Service as part of the Shabbat service
- Sunday, September 27, 10am, Sukkot Service
Details of 5787 Sukkot services and programming at Har Zion are here: About Sukkot
✡ Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, the last day of Sukkot, marks the end of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of the cycle for the coming year. It is celebrated with singing, dancing, and merry processions of people carrying Torahs and children waving flags.
Simchat Torah 5787 is observed from sundown on Saturday, October 3, to sundown on Sunday, October 4.
In the diaspora, Simchat Torah is preceded by Shemini Atzeret, in 5787 on Saturday, October 3. Shemini Atzeret is one of four times a year when Yizkor, the Jewish memorial service, is observed.
- Shemini Atzeret 22 Tishrei: Friday evening, October 2, 6pm service, Saturday, October 3. 10AM Service as part of the Shabbat service
- Simchat Torah, 23 Tishrei:
- Saturday evening, October 3, Celebration of the last reading in the Torah and going back to read the first one
- Sunday, October 4, 10am Simchat Torah service and continuation of the celebration
Details of 5787 Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah services and programming at Har Zion are here: Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah