Ways to celebrate Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur in the Tampa Bay area

Kelly A. Stefani, Tampa Bay Times
·4 min read

Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on Friday, Sept. 15, this year and ends at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 17. Translated literally to the “head of the year,” Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. Here are several ways the Tampa Bay area celebrates the High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown on Sept. 24 and ends on Sept. 25.

High Holiday Intensive: “Explore the themes of the Days of Awe” as you study texts in English and Hebrew, and in music. Free. 7-8:15 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 7). Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-381-4900.

High Holiday 5784: Welcome in 5784 with Rabbi Jen and Cantor Bill. Services and activities are as follows: 7 p.m. Sept. 9 (Selichot); 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 (Erev Rosh Hashana); 10 a.m. Sept. 16 (Rosh Hashana Morning); noon Sept. 16 (Apples & Honey); 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 (Tashlich at Crews Lake); 11 a.m. Sept. 17 (Family Service); 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 (Kol Nidre); 10 a.m. Sept. 25 (Yom Kippur Morning); 12:30 p.m. Sept. 25 (Yizkor); 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25 (Closing); and 6:45 p.m. Sept. 25 (Break-the-fast). Free. Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., Spring Hill. 352-686-7034.

Pre-High Holiday Honey Factory: Enjoy a demonstration by a local beekeeper, beeswax candles, honey tasting, crafts, honey cookies and story time. Free. 3 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 10). Chabad of St. Petersburg, 4010 Park St. N. 727-344-4900.

To Laugh, To Laugh, L’Chaim: Celebrate the new year with a night of comedy. Comedian David Glickman presents “To Laugh, To Laugh, L’Chaim.” The musical comedy show celebrates “What’s So Funny About Being Jewish.” It includes more than 40 song parodies, observational humor, funny visuals, and laugh-out-loud stories. $30-$50. 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 10). Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590.

High Holy Days: A number of High Holy Days services and activities including Erev Rosh Hashana (7 p.m. Sept. 15); children’s service (9 a.m. Sept. 16); main service (10:30 a.m. Sept. 16); main service (10:30 a.m. Sept. 17); Kol Nidre main service (7 p.m. Sept. 24); Yom Kippur children’s service (9 a.m. Sept. 25); main service (10:30 a.m. Sept. 25); Yizkor (1 p.m. Sept. 25); Social Justice Forum (2 p.m. Sept. 25); seated yoga (3:15 p.m. Sept. 25); and afternoon service and Neilah (4:30 p.m. Sept. 25). Free (registration required on Eventbrite). Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-347-6136.

High Holidays at Chabad Jewish Center: The first night service and sushi social. Donations or sponsorships appreciated. 7 p.m. Sept. 15. Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-344-4900.

Open the Door for 5784: The following is a schedule of services and activities for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Evening service and dinner (7 p.m. Sept. 15); morning service (9:30 a.m. Sept. 16); Shofar blowing (11 a.m. Sept. 16); morning service (9:30 a.m. Sept. 17); Shofar blowing (11 a.m. Sept. 17); candle lighting and Kol Nidrei Service (7 p.m. Sept. 24); morning service (9:30 a.m. Sept. 25); Yizkor memorial service (11 a.m. Sept. 25); afternoon service and Neilah (6 p.m. Sept. 25); fast ends (7:58 p.m. Sept. 25). Donations and sponsorships appreciated. Chabad of South Tampa, 606 S Tampania Ave. 813-922-1723.

High Holidays at Chabad Jewish Center: Rosh Hashana services are as follows: main service, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 (Rosh Hashana Day I); main service, 10 a.m. Sept. 17 (Rosh Hashana Day II); Tashlich and Shofar Waterfront Service, 5 p.m. Sept. 17 (Rosh Hashana Day II). Yom Kippur services are as follows: Kol Nidrei Services, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 (Yom Kippur Eve); main service, 10 a.m. Sept. 25; Yizkor memorial service, 11:15 a.m. Sept. 25; Mincha service, 5:45 p.m. Sept. 25; Neilah closing services, 6:45 p.m. Sept. 25. Donations or sponsorships appreciated. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, 255 Beach Drive NE. 727-344-4900.

Shofar in the Park: A short, outdoor Shofar blowing and Tashlich service. Free. 5 p.m. Sept. 17. North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-344-4900.