DMV High Holiday Guide 2024 / 5785

Updated 10:01 a.m. on Monday, September 16th

Dear DMV friends,

Welcome to GatherDC’s 2024 / 5785 DMV High Holiday Guide, a one-stop-shop for everything you need to usher in the new year. There are dozens of amazing DMV Jewish organizations putting together incredible High Holiday experiences — but there’s only one place to find them all together, and that’s right here.

This year, the High Holidays hold particularly profound weight as we reflect on the events of the past year and approach the anniversary of October 7th. These next few weeks and months may be times of joy and sorrow both. Jewish tradition is full of duality; the sweetness of apples and honey that are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah linger on our tongues as we recite liturgy that confronts our mortality. These moments do not oppose one another, but inform one another.

We hope this guide can be a useful tool as you craft the just-right-for-you combination of recipes, readings, services, classes, social gatherings, and much, much more that will make this High Holiday season deeply meaningful. When you see us out and about in the next couple months, say hello! We can’t wait for the next chance to gather with you.

Chag Sameach – Wishing you a good, sweet New Year,

The GatherDC Team

PS: Not sure where to start? Check out the table of contents in the drop down menu at the top of the screen! And, if we’re missing something, please let us know by submitting your event to our online calendar or by emailing us. We’ll be updating the guide just about every day, so check back early and often!

Getting Ready for the High Holidays!

Ongoing classes, events, and more!

• Elul Project 5784 with Temple Micah
  • Daily study and reflection over email in preparation for the High Holidays
• High Holiday Deep Dive with GatherDC
  • Meeting September 24th, October 1st, October 9th, and October 15th
  • Apply before September 12th!
• Meditations and Reflection on Elul: Preparing for the High Holy Days with Adas Israel Congregation
  • Meeting on September 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th on Facebook Live

Sunday, August 25th

• 1:00 p.m. — Hesed Honey Cake Baking Event with Adas Israel Congregation

Monday, September 2nd

• 7:00 p.m. — First Meeting of Elul Book Club: “On Repentance and Repair” with Based-In DC
  • Learn more about Based-In DC here!

Tuesday, September 3rd

• 7:30 p.m. — Rosh Hodesh Elul Rising Song Gathering with Hadar DC

Wednesday, September 4th

• 7:45 a.m. — Rosh Hodesh Elul Minyan with Hadar DC

Saturday, September 7th

• 11:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Cider Brunch with Moishe House Columbia Heights

Tuesday, September 10th

• 7:00 p.m. — An Evening with Rav James from Or HaLev with Adas Israel Congregation
• 7:00 p.m. — Confronting Death, So We Know How to Live with the Den Collective

Wednesday, September 11th

• 7:00 p.m. — What It Takes: Making the High Holidays Meaningful with Sixth & I
• 7:00 p.m. — The Only Constant Is Change: Learning and Reflection on Change with the Den Collective

Sunday, September 15th

• 10:00 a.m. — HiHo Hike: Adventures in Nature with the Den Collective

Wednesday, September 18th

• 7:00 p.m. — Cultivating Hope in Troubling Times: Challah Bake + Study with the Den Collective

Thursday, September 19th

• 7:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Gluten Free Challah Making with Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia

Friday, September 20th

• 6:45 p.m. — Elul Shabbat with Tikkun Leil Shabbat

Saturday, September 21st

• 10:00 a.m. — Lessening Our Suffering: Shabbat Morning Meditation + Learning with the Den Collective
• 5:15 p.m. — Yomim Noraim Class with Rabbi Shafner: Understanding Kol Nidrey on a Deeper Level with Kesher Israel

Sunday, September 22nd

• 10:00 a.m. — HiHo Hike: Adventures in Nature with the Den Collective
• 12:00 p.m. — Shofar on the Roof with Kol Shalom
• 1:00 p.m. — Apple Picking with Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia

Monday, September 23rd

• 7:00 p.m. — God As a Four-Letter Word? Connecting + Disconnecting to God During the High Holy Day Season with the Den Collective

Wednesday, September 25th

• 7:00 p.m. — High Holiday Meditation with Mick Neustadt with Adas Israel Congregation

Thursday, September 26th

• 7:00 p.m. — Great Big Challah Bake with the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
  • Register by September 19th

Friday, September 27th

• 6:30 p.m. — 5785 Shabbat with JWI’s Young Women’s Impact Network

Saturday, September 28th

• 10:00 a.m. — Heartwork: A One-Day High Holiday Preparation Retreat with At the Well
• 5:15 p.m. — Yomim Noraim Class with Rabbi Shafner: Understanding Ne’elah, Yom Kippur’s End, On a Deeper Level with Kesher Israel
• 7:00 p.m. — Selichot: Havdalah and Singing Circle with the Den Collective
• 7:30 p.m. — Havdalah & Selichot Service with Hill Havurah
• 8:00 p.m. — S’lichot: Gateway to the High Holy Days with Bet Mishpachah
• 8:30 p.m. — Outdoor Selichot Service with Adas Israel Congregation
• 9:00 p.m. — Selichot Program with Tifereth Israel Congregation
• 10:00 p.m. — Selichot Services with Tifereth Israel Congregation

Rosh Hashanah

Wednesday, October 2nd

• 6:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner with Rodef 2100
• 6:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Service with Hill Havurah
• 6:15 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 6:30 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah with Kol Shalom
• 6:30 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 6:30 p.m. — Festival Evening Service with Congregation Beth El
• 6:45 p.m. — Community Sunset Service with Adas Israel Congregation
• 7:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Evening Services with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 7:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashana Eve 1 with Mesorah DC
• 7:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah with GW Hillel
• 7:30 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Service with Fabrangen Havurah
• 7:30 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Service with Reston Shoreshim Jewish Community
• 7:30 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Service with Temple Emanuel
• 7:30 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Dinner on Capitol Hill with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 8:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh Hashanah Service with Temple Rodef Shalom
• 8:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Evening Service with Am Kolel
• 8:00 p.m. — Erev Rosh HaShanah with 2239

Thursday, October 3rd

• 8:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day One with Kol Shalom
• 9:00 a.m. — Festival Morning Service with Congregation Beth El
• 9:00 a.m. — First Day Rosh Hashanah Services with Fabrangen Havurah
• 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Services with Tifereth Israel Congregation
• 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Services with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 9:15 a.m. — Torah Service with Adas Israel Congregation
• 9:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Service with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 9:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Morning Service with Am Kolel
• 9:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Morning Service with Hill Havurah
• 10:00 a.m. — Conservative / Reform Rosh Hashanah Services with GW Hillel
• 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day Service with Reston Shoreshim Jewish Community
• 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah – Full Service with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 10:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Service with Temple Emanuel
• 10:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day 1 with Mesorah DC
• 10:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Esther Lederman with Sixth & I
• 11:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Adult High Holiday Services 2024 with Beth Chai
• 3:00 p.m. — Tashlich / Yizkor Service with GW Hillel
• 4:00 p.m. — Tashlich Service with Congregation Beth El
• 4:00 p.m. — Tashlich with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 4:00 p.m. — Tashlich with Kol Shalom
• 4:30 p.m. — Tashlich and Second Day Maariv Services with Fabrangen Havurah
• 5:15 p.m. — Shofar in the Park with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 5:30 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Express with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 5:30 p.m. — Tashlich with Hill Havurah
• 6:00 p.m. — Mincha / Maariv with Adas Israel Congregation
• 7:00 p.m. — Rosh Hashana Eve 2 with Mesorah DC
• 7:10 p.m. — Mincha / Maariv with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 7:30 p.m. — Rosh Hashanah Dinner on Capitol Hill with Chabad East DC Jewish Center

Friday, October 4th

• 8:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day Two with Kol Shalom
• 9:00 a.m. — Festival Morning Service with Congregation Beth El
• 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Services with Tifereth Israel Congregation
• 9:00 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Services with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 9:00 a.m. — Second Day Rosh Hashanah Services with Fabrangen Havurah
• 9:00 a.m. — Torah Service with Adas Israel Congregation
• 9:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashana Morning Service with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 10:00 a.m. — 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Services and Potluck Kiddush Lunch with Am Kolel
• 10:30 a.m. — Rosh Hashanah Day 2 with Mesorah DC
• 10:45 a.m. — Shofar & Musaf with Adas Israel Congregation
• 1:30 p.m. — Tashlich with Am Kolel
• 2:00 p.m. — Community Tashlich with Adas Israel Congregation
• 6:00 p.m. — Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat with Adas Israel Congregation
• 6:15 p.m. — Late Shofar Blowing with Mesorah DC

Saturday, October 5th

• 4:45 p.m. — Rabbi Shafner’s Shabbat Shuvah Drasha: Fasting as a Jewish and Universal Path to Enlightenment and Repentance with Kesher Israel

Sunday, October 6th

• 10:30 a.m. — Kayaking Tashlich on the Potomac River with the Den Collective
• 5:30 p.m. — DC Tashlich with GatherDC

Tuesday, October 8th

• 5:45 p.m. — NoVA Tashlich with Rodef 2100 and GatherDC

Yom Kippur

Friday, October 11th

• 5:45 p.m. — Kol Nidrei with Congregation Etz Hayim
• 6:00 p.m. — Kol Nidre and Maariv Services with Fabrangen Havurah
• 6:15 p.m. — Kol Nidrei and Maariv with Rosh Pina
• 6:15 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Mesorah DC
• 6:30 p.m. — Kol Haneshama Kol Nidre Service with Congregation Beth El
• 6:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre Service with Temple Emanuel
• 6:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Adas Israel Congregation
• 6:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Kol Shalom
• 6:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 6:45 p.m. — Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 7:00 p.m. — Kol Nidre with Hill Havurah
• 7:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre High Holiday Services 2024 with Beth Chai
• 7:30 p.m. — Kol Nidre Service with Reston Shoreshim Jewish Community
• 7:30 p.m. — Outdoor Soulful Kol Nidre with Adas Israel Congregation
• 8:00 p.m. — Kol Nidrei with 2239
• 8:00 p.m. — Late Erev Yom Kippur Service with Temple Rodef Shalom

Saturday, October 12th

• 9:00 a.m. — Pesukei D’Zimrah and Shacharit with Rosh Pina
• 9:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Services with Tifereth Israel Congregation
• 9:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Services with Yizkor with Fabrangen Havurah
• 9:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur Morning Service with Am Kolel
• 9:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur Morning Service with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 9:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur Morning Service with Hill Havurah
• 10:00 a.m. — Alternative Yom Kippur Morning Services with GatherDC
• 10:00 a.m. — Outdoor High Holidays (at Seneca Creek State Park) with Congregation Beth El
• 10:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Day Service with Reston Shoreshim Jewish Community
• 10:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 10:30 a.m. — Torah Service & Yizkor with Adas Israel Congregation
• 10:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur Day Services with Mesorah DC
• 10:30 a.m. — Yom Kippur with Rabbi Esther Lederman with Sixth & I
• 11:00 a.m. — Yom Kippur Adult High Holiday Services with Beth Chai
• 12:30 p.m. — Afternoon Workshops with GatherDC
• 12:30 p.m. — Lunchtime Community Gathering for Those Who Cannot Fast with GatherDC
• 1:30 p.m. — Musaf & Martyrology Service with Adas Israel Congregation
• 3:45 p.m. — Afternoon Discussion with Lin Manuel Miranda with Adas Israel Congregation
• 5:00 p.m. — Mincha and Torah Service with Am Kolel
• 5:30 p.m. — Neilah with Rabbi Aaron with Sixth & I
• 5:30 p.m. — Yizkor, Ne’ilah, then Break-Fast with Hill Havurah
• 6:00 p.m. — Break the Fast with Reston Shoreshim Jewish Community
• 6:00 p.m. — N’eelah with Adas Israel Congregation
  • Followed by Shofar at 7:40 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m. — Yom Kippur Neilah with Mesorah DC
  • Followed by Break Fast
• 6:30 p.m. — Neilah Service and Break the Fast with Chabad East DC Jewish Center
• 6:30 p.m. — Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast with Beth Chai
• 7:00 p.m. — Evening Break-the-Fast with GatherDC
• 7:13 p.m. — Yom Kippur Ends and Maariv with Rosh Pina

Sukkot

Wednesday, October 16th

• 6:30 p.m. — Erev Sukkot Services with Temple Micah

Tuesday, October 22nd

• 7:30 p.m. — Politics and Beer in the Sukkah: 14 Days from the 2024 Election with Tifereth Israel Congregation

More to come, as we update the Guide daily through the holidays!

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Wednesday, October 23rd

• 5:30 p.m. — Erev Simchat Torah Services with Temple Micah

Thursday, October 24th

• 10:15 a.m. — Simchat Torah with Temple Micah
• 7:00 p.m. — Simchat Torah Services with Tifereth Israel Congregation

More to come, as we update the Guide daily through the holidays!

Food for the High Holidays

Other Readings and Resources

• A First-Timer’s Guide to Hosting Rosh Hashanah Dinner by Sonya Sanford at Hey Alma
• High Holiday Grief and Yizkor from Recustom
• High Holiday Rituals and Guidebooks from Recustom
• High Holidays Rituals from Ritualwell
• High Holy Day Blessings + Ritual Guide from the Den Collective
• High Holy Days Sermons from Temple Rodef Shalom
• How To Lead A Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Seder from My Jewish Learning
• Must-Know Rosh Hashanah Words and Phrases from My Jewish Learning
• Prayers and Rituals for those Who Need to Eat on Yom Kippur from A Mitzvah to Eat
• Prayers for Peace from Recustom
• Requesting Time Off for the High Holidays Helped Me Define My Jewishness by Abi Winer at Hey Alma
• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Readings and Rituals from American Jewish World Service
• Rosh Hashanah Guide from 18 Doors
• Rosh HaShanah Haggadah from Schusterman Family Philanthropies
  • Includes English, Spanish, Russian, and Hebrew translations
• Simchat Torah Guide from Jewtina
• Six Ways to Celebrate Rosh Hashana with Your Friends by Vanessa Pamela Friedman at Hey Alma
• Sorry, Not Sorry: The Real Path to an Apology by Hanna Perlberger from At the Well
• Sukkot Guide from Jewtina
• The Art of Dwelling: Creative Prompts for Sukkot by Jewish Studio Project
• The Joys of a Mizrahi Rosh Hashanah Seder by Donna Maher at Hey Alma
• The Mystical Resonance of the Shofar by Nili Salem from At the Well
• The Rosh Hashanah Seder: Latinx Edition from Jewtina
• The 18 Best Jewish High Holiday Movies and TV Episodes by Evelyn Frick at Hey Alma
• Wash My Soul Tashlich Ceremony from Recustom
• Yom Kippur Guidebook from BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change
• Yom Kippur Workbook from Jewtina
• 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosh Hashanah from My Jewish Learning
• 10 Things the Shofar Symbolizes from My Jewish Learning
• 10Q
  • “10Q emails you a question a day for 10 days. Afterwards, you send your answers to the secure online vault. One year later, your answers are unlocked and returned and the process begins anew.”

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