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Five Places to Celebrate the Jewish New Year This Weekend

13:00 September 16, 2020
By: Lawrence Bourgeois

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is fast approaching on the calendar. This year, it takes place from this Friday, September 18, until Sunday evening, September 20. As one of the holiest celebrations in Judaism, Rosh Hashanah is a thanksgiving for and commemoration of the genesis of our world. Though the virus has hit every social space hard, those looking to celebrate this holiday with their fellows can take solace in the fact that some houses of worship are at the least allowing services via Zoom congregations. Here are five such institutions, complete with links to their websites for your further research.

Temple Sinai

Having its roots all the way back to 1870, Temple Sinai on Saint Charles Avenue is not only the oldest Reform Jewish congregation in our state, but the largest as well. Zoom links to worship services are available on the front page of the website, but they also offer other services, such as group Torah studies. 6227 St. Charles Ave., (504) 861-3693, TempleSinainola.com

Touro Synagogue

Next up is Touro Synagogue, also located on Saint Charles Avenue. Touro Synagogue prides itself on the diversity of its clergy and congregation, encompassing men and women of all orientations, faiths, races, and backgrounds. Much like Temple Sinai, Touro Synagogue is also offering online streams of worship and Shabbat that can be found on their main web page. 4238 Saint Charles Ave., (504) 895-4843,TouroSynagogue.com

[Amit Lahav/Unsplash]

Gates of Prayer

Gates of Prayer, another Reform Judaism congregation, is located on West Esplanade Avenue in Metairie. Following the trend of many religious houses of worship, livestreams for services and Sabbaths are available on their website. Also available on the front page is a weekly-updated schedule that details events that will actually be held in person alongside livestreams, so make note of that. 4000 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 504-885-2600,GatesofPrayer.org

Chabad

Chabad is a series of Jewish houses of worship, and the site provided here will give you an overview of what they are all about as well as various pertinent current events. You can enter your zip code on their front page to quickly find a center near you. 7037 Freret St., 504-302-1830, Chabad.org

North Shore Synagogue

Finally, we have the North Shore Synagogue. Located in Mandeville on Causeway Boulevard, this Reform congregation hosts online Shabbat services in addition to offering community services such as helping to deliver groceries to high-risk families and the like. Their values are engagement through active worship and diversity. As with these other places of worship, their website will show you the schedule for both Sabbath celebrations and Rosh Hashanah events. 1403 North Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 951-7976, NorthshoreJewish.org



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