Southern Maine High Holiday Services Guide 2023/5784
Do I need to sign up? Can I attend services in-person this year? Most High Holiday services in Southern Maine are happening inside synagogues again, though there are virtual and outdoor options, so a little advanced planning helps! To make things a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list* of where you can go to sign up for services and to find resources for the New Year. Shana Tova from the JCA!
* Did we miss any services or links? Email JCA Marketing Director Jessica Doucette at jdoucette(at)mainejewish.org
Congregation Bet Ha’am
81 Westbrook Street, South Portland. Since its founding in 1985, Bet Ha’am has committed to being a house of worship where all feel welcome. We invite you to join us for any Bet Ha’am service or event, including High Holy Day worship. There is no charge to join us and no tickets. We hope that you–Jewish or non-Jewish, Mainer or guest visiting from away–will join us at this time of community celebration.
- Registration Process for High Holy Days – This year, for safety and security purposes, the High Holy Days committee is asking that every member and non-member adult guest present a photo ID when you come to services. These will be checked at the registration desk. Please help us provide a safe worship space for all attendees.
- Non-members may pre-register here, but sign-in and photo ID will still be required.
- To sign up for Project Shofar (ages 3 to 8) or free childcare on Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur mornings, please click here. Childcare registration is required by September 8 for Rosh Hashanah and September 18 for Yom Kippur.
All 2023/5784 services will be held in-person with an option to join via Zoom, except where noted on the service schedule linked below. Please email admin@bethaam.org or click here for more information on obtaining Zoom service links.
KOL NIDRE***
Kol Nidre Service – Sunday, September 24th at 8:00 PM
YOM KIPPUR***
Children’s Service* – Monday, September 25th at 8:30 AM
Torah Study – Monday, September 25th at 9:00 AM
Worship Service – Monday, September 25th at 10:00 AM
Meditation & Healing Service – Monday, September 25th at 12:45 PM (No Zoom)
Afternoon Study – Monday, September 25th at 2:30 PM
Afternoon Service – Monday, September 25th at 3:30 PM
Yizkor Service – Monday, September 25th at 5:00 PM
Neilah – Monday, September 25th at 6:00 PM
Break the Fast Potluck – 6:30 PM (approximate time after Neilah)
*** ASL interpreting will be provided by congregant Meryl Troop.
Beth Israel Congregation (Bath)
862 Washington Street, Bath. The story of Beth Israel Congregation rests on the energy and dedication of a few Maine Jews and their welcome in Bath by the non-Jewish community in 1886. Today, we are an active congregation serving midcoast Maine and beyond. Please join us; all are welcome!
For more information contact info@bethisraelbath.org
High Holidays 5784 — Beth Israel Congregation (bethisraelbath.org)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
7:00 pm – Kol Nidre Service
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
10:00 am – Yom Kippur Morning Service
1:00 pm – Yizkor Service
3:30 pm – Family Service
4:45 pm – Mincha and Neilah Services
6:00 pm – Shofar Blowing and Havdalah
Followed by Potluck Break-Fast
Congregation Beth Israel (Old Orchard Beach)
49 E Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME – Congregation Beth Israel is an Orthodox Synagogue in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. We exist solely on the generous donations of those willing to give. We are honored to have services led by esteemed Rabbi Lawrence Zierler. Come and join us by the sea for traditional services. Free parking, passes provided. Call 207-934-2973 for more info.
Chabad of Maine
11 Pomeroy Street, Portland, ME – Celebrate the High Holidays among friends and connect with your inner self. No signup necessary. No payment required for a place to pray for the High Holidays. A kippah and prayer book will be provided for you. Services will be interspersed with explanations and page guidance. In short, you will feel at home.
High Holidays – ChabadofMaine.com
Join us on Sept 17th at 4:30 PM for Shofar in the Park – a family-friendly event at Fort Allen Park along the Eastern Promenade. Shofar in the Park – ChabadofMaine.com
YOM KIPPUR
Sunday, September 24 Erev Yom Kippur
Candle Lighting: 6:17pm
Kol Nidrei: 6:20pm
Monday, September 25 Yom Kippur
Morning Services: 10:00am
Children Program: 11:45am
Yizkor: 12:45pm
Neilah: 6:00pm
Fast ends: 7:16pm followed by Break Fast
Congregation Etz Chaim (Biddeford)
36 Bacon St, Biddeford – The High Holidays are almost here! We will be offering all services in person and online via both Zoom & Facebook. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance at all services.
The complete High Holiday service schedule is available on our website: etzchaimme.org. If you have any questions regarding service information, please reach out to mail@etzchaimme.org
YOM KIPPUR:
Sunday, September 24 – Kol Nidre service beginning at 6:15pm
Monday Morning, September 25:
- Preliminary Service: 8:45am
- Morning Service: 9:00am
- Yizkor: 11:00am
- Services Concludes: 12:30pm
- Services Resume: 4:30pm
- Torah Reading: 4:30pm
- Break Fast at conclusion: approx.: 6:30pm
Etz Chaim Synagogue (Portland)
267 Congress Street, Portland – Join us in the synagogue! For details, please view our High Holidays schedule here!
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service – Sept 15, 7-9 PM
Rosh Hashanah Service Day 1 – Sept 16, 9 AM – 1 PM
Rosh Hashanah Service Day 2 – Sept 17, 9 AM – 1 PM
Tashlich – Sept 17, 1-2 PM
YOM KIPPUR:
Sunday, September 24 – Kol Nidre service beginning at 6:15pm
Monday, September 25 – Service begins at 9:00am
Yom Kippur address will be delivered by Judge Kermit Lipez at about 10:45am
Afternoon break
Cantor Nesis Meditative Service at 4:00pm followed by Yizkor
Mincha from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Neilah service from 6:00pm – 6:45pm when the final shofar is heard
Etz Chaim Synagogue – Portland, Maine – Portland, Maine (etzchaim-portland.org)
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: A special Children’s Service will be held on Sunday, Sept 17th from 3-4 PM, led by Cantor Nesis.
Shaarey Tphiloh
Room 4A, 400 Deering Ave, Portland – Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh meets on High Holidays and only special Shabbatot. Join our congregation as we welcome Rabbi Akiva Herzfeld, who led our congregation for many years with warmth, compassion, enthusiasm, Torah knowledge and charisma as he returns from Israel to lead High Holiday services this fall and the Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Don’t miss this opportunity to greet him in person and hear him speak about making aliyah and raising a family in Israel. Tickets are not required, but please let us know if you’ll be joining us! Click the links below for more information.
Kever Avot – Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (mainejewish.org)
