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Home > Services > High Holy Days

High Holy Days

The High Holy Days are a period of personal and collective renewal. We gather to reflect on our lives and the directions we’re headed, both personally and as a people. Enveloped in music, thoughtful spiritual direction, prayer, and the warmth of our broad and diverse community, you will be able to experience your process of renewal, inspiration, and prayer for a sweet New Year!

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Services Livestream

Rabbi Joshua Katzan  Senior Rabbi
A native Los Angelino, Rabbi Katzan brings profound love of Judaism’s spirituality, intellectuality, and aspiration to the community for the High Holy Days. His love of music, Judaism, wisdom, people, and Israel inspire his Torah of seeking meaning and fulfillment in life. 
 
Rachel Shapiro  Cantorial Soloist
Mishkon is delighted to welcome back Rachel Shapiro as our cantorial soloist for the High Holy Days! Rachel and Rabbi Katzan worked together for five years in New York. Rachel describes her style as weaving traditional liturgy and music with congregational melodies that inspire participation. The most important part of the holidays to her is coming together as a community to make beautiful music that enhances prayer and reflection.

 

   

Rosh Hashanah  The Jewish New Year
 
S'lichot Film Screening and Service Saturday, September 13  8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
We begin our celebration with Havdallah followed by a service of reflection and supplication, reintroducing the soulful melodies of the High Holy Days. We will show a movie that raise the questions of the Holy Days, setting a personal tone for the season. Learn more and RSVP here.
 
Erev Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 22  6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
 
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Tuesday, September 23  9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    Family Service 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Musaf/Spiritual Sidetrips 12 p.m. 
 
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Wednesday, September 24  9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
 
Tashlich Sunday, September 28  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tashlich is a ceremonial casting away of our mistakes from the previous year to make room for hope, as we toss crumbs from our pockets into the sea (or more environmentally friendly seaweed gathered from the beach). It is a joyous event so bring your friends and family and a picnic lunch to the gathering at Lifeguard Station 28.
 

Yom Kippur  The Day of Atonement
Atonement is a heartfelt desire for forgiveness, to clear the slate, take responsibility for what we can, and course-correct toward a more fruitful and meaningful life. Mishkon’s distinctive Yom Kippur services begin with the grandeur of Kol Nidre and crest with our soul-stirring Ne’ilah (concluding service). View the full schedule here.
 
Kol Nidre Wednesday, October 1  6:10 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The epic music of this service inspires our observance of Judaism's most profound day of reflection.
 
Yom Kippur Thursday, October 2  9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. - 7:26 p.m.
    Family Service 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    Musaf Spiritual Sidetrip 12 p.m. 
    Yom Kippur Break 2:30 p.m.
 

Yom Kippur Spiritual Side-Trips
 
Jewish Meditation 101
Thursday, October 2  12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
In Mishkon's Social Hall, Susan Goland and Michele Prince will lead us in an introduction to Jewish Meditation — the why and how, with an opportunity to practice.
 
Sounds of the Soul
Thursday, October 2  12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Experience how the vibration of sound and singing together help open our hearts on this Day of Atonement. This program will be led by Jeffrey Prince in the Small Chapel.
 
Gentle Flow, Sacred Song  Yom Kippur Break
Thursday, October 2  approximately 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
In South Beach Park, on the grass next to Marine/Barnard Way, 
Michele and Jeffrey Prince will led gentle stretching and niggunim (melodies) on the grass overlooking the Pacific. It's a lovely way to spend the break with fresh ocean air and dear friends. Better than a nap. Everyone attending will walk together from Mishkon after Musaf ends.
 

Sukkot
 
Erev Sukkot Monday, October 6  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sukkot is the end-of-harvest festival at which we celebrate in gratitude the bounty and blessings in our lives. Join us to sit together in the sukkah and enjoy a delicious dinner with the community. Services at 6 p.m., with dinner following at 6:40 p.m. in the sukkah. 
 
Sukkot Day 1 Tuesday, October 7 at Mishkon  9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
 
Sukkot Day 2 Wednesday, October 8 at Kehillat Ma'arav  9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mishkon will join Kehillat Ma'arav for services on the second day of Sukkot. 
 
Sukkot at Home Friday, October 10  Start time will be determined by host
Join your community to celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot in each other's homes. Sign up to host or be a guest, and we’ll match you with fellow Mishkonians for a shared dinner and conversation. This is a chance to meet new people, enjoy delicious food, and spend a relaxed evening experiencing the joy of Shabbat together.

Simchat Torah
The finale of the High Holy Days is celebrated by concluding the reading of the Torah, then immediately starting the cycle over with the first words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God created ..." We will dance and sing to celebrate the Torah, our Book of Teachings, and then gather for a celebratory luncheon. It's a great way to bring the season to a joyous conclusion. 
 
Shmini Atzeret Tuesday, October 14  9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
This festival is the Eighth Day from Sukkot and is elevated by the special Yizkor memorial service.
 
Erev Simchat Torah Tuesday, October 14  7:10 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
 
Simchat Torah Wednesday, October 15  9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
BBQ lunch under Mishkon's Sukkah will follow the service from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Registration required.
 

Family Services
Family Services place our little ones at the heart of the experience. Through music, song, and story, we’ll introduce the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in a way children can connect with and enjoy. This is not a drop-off, but rather a whole family experience we hope will be meaningful for the whole family.
 
All children enrolled in child care can attend family services. Learn more and register your little ones for child care here. Families with High Holy Days tickets but are not enrolled in childcare may attend family services accompanied by a parent or guardian.
 
Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 23  During Torah Service (approximately 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
Yom Kippur Thursday, October 2  During Torah Service (approximately 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
 
 
Family-Friendly Services 
Tashlich on the Beach Sunday, September 28  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tashlich with Mishkon's community is a joyous event so bring your friends, family, and a picnic lunch to the gathering at Lifeguard Station 28. We will toss crumbs from our pockets into the sea (or more environmentally friendly seaweed gathered from the beach).
 
Simchat Torah Service and BBQ Wednesday, October 15  10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
All are welcome to our Family and Community Hakafot services at 10 a.m. We will dance and sing to celebrate the Torah, our Book of Teachings, and then gather for a celebratory luncheon. It's a great way to bring the season to a joyous conclusion.
A BBQ lunch under Mishkon's Sukkah will follow the service from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Registration is required here. Children younger than 12 eat free.

 

 

 

 

  Child care is available by prepaid reservation only. NO DROP-INS!
  Children 2 - 7 years old
  Offered for Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur morning from 8:45 a.m. - end of service
         Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Tuesday, September 23
         Yom Kippur Thursday, October 2
  Child care does NOT include naptime for any children, regardless of age
  Child care is $50 for members, $75 for non-members (per child, per service)
  We schedule staff based on registrations, so we cannot accommodate drop-ins
  All childcare fees and forms MUST be received no later than Wednesday, September 17.
 
 

Yizkor, meaning remembrance, is a communally shared memorial service to remember and honor the people in our lives who have departed this world. It is a custom to contribute to have the names of our remembered loved ones counted in our printed Yizkor Book, helping to make their memory a blessing.

 

 

 

2024-2025 Book of Remembrance

 

The Galim (Hebrew for "waves") is our Mishkon magazine, in which you can express your good wishes or announce your joyous simchas to the entire Mishkon community. The Galim is distributed to all who attend High Holy Day services and digitally to our mailing list.

Everyone is invited to contribute to this year's Galim edition! 

You may write about a Mishkon event you loved, about a Mishkon committee that you’re on, about a Mishkon program you’re involved in, or about something else Jewish. We want people to learn about how wonderful Mishkon is. For more information and to submit your  articles, email crgoldstein1@verizon.net.

Watch the highlights from Mishkon's Yom Kippur and Kol Nidre services on our YouTube page.

Thank-You Letter From Our 2024 Cantorial Soloist Rachel Shapiro
 
Dearest Mishkon, 
 
I want to extend my deepest gratitude and that of my family for allowing me the privilege of being your Shaliach Tzibur for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  I have witnessed, have been part of, and have led several congregations over the years and was so moved by your kavanah and your ruach.  You filled the yamim noraim with warmth, love, and your beautiful voices, and it gave me chills. 
 
I also want to thank you for welcoming me and my family with such warmth and joy.  Sometimes, being a visiting Cantorial Soloist can feel like being an outsider – but not at Miskhon.  At mincha on Yom Kippur, we read Vayikra Chapter 19 Verse 18 – the verse that Rabbi Akiva touted as the essence of the entire Torah – V’ahavta l’re-acha kamocha – Love your neighbor as yourself.  Further on in the chapter, Verse 34 states, “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your own citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”  These verses represent one of the most important tenets of Judaism – the building and nurturing of community.  My family and I felt so at home at Mishkon.  You welcomed us with open arms and open homes and fulfilled these mitzvot for us.  You made us feel part of your community – a community that is so obviously built on a love for learning, compassion, and one another – and for that, we are extremely grateful. 
 
A few specific words of thanks: thank you to Fleming for the administration and coordination that made my job so easy; thank you to Melissa and Brian Tarsky for your hospitality; thank you to Andy Bender for leading the choir so effortlessly; and thank you to the entire choir for enhancing our tefilot.  Finally, a huge thank you to Rabbi Josh for the invitation and opportunity, for your wisdom and your friendship.  
 
May this year bring blessings of health and joy to you all, may we find peace and security at home and abroad, and may your lives continue to be enriched by the community that you have built. 
 
B’ahava, 
 
Rachel

Rabbi Katzan reminds us of the source of our Tikkun Olam duty: "As we read on Yom Kippur, Isaiah teaches us what God really wants from us is that we 'feed the hungry and clothe the naked.' By doing so, Isaiah says, we give of ourselves and become beings of God’s blessing, strength and light. This is your opportunity to shine on others and do good. Thank you for donating what you can when you come to services!’"

Clothing Drive  St. Joseph Center
 
St. Joseph Center’s mission is to provide working poor families as well as unhoused men, women, and children of all ages with the inner resources and tools to become productive, stable, and self-supporting members of the community.
 
Donation bins are located in our lobby on Main Street and in the lobby at the Hampton Dr entrance. Donations will be accepted between September 9 and October 9. Please DO NOT donate any red clothing.
 
We will only be accepting:
  New and packaged men's large and extra large t-shirts, underwear, and socks.
  New and packaged women's large and extra large briefs, bras, and underwear.

Food Drive  Westside Food Bank
 
Make a difference in local hunger this year by donating food to the Westside Food Bank. The foodbank provides nutritious food for 72,000 households, which equates to 153,000 people in need, with the help of more than 60 member agencies throughout their service area. Their mission is to end hunger in our communities by providing access to free nutritious food through food acquisition and distribution and by engaging the community and advocating for a strong food assistance network.
 
Donation bins are located in our lobby on Main Street and in the lobby at the Hampton Dr. entrance. Donations will be accepted between September 9 and October 9.
 
The Westside Food Bank is looking for the following: peanut butter and other nut butters, pasta and noodles, cereal (hot and cold), canned soups, canned meats and fish, beans (dry and canned), canned stews, chili, canned pasta, canned vegetables, canned or dried fruits, canned tomatoes, pasta sauces (no glass, please), protein, energy, or granola bars, lentils, baby foods and formula, shelf-stable milk or nondairy substitutes, cooking oil, flour and baking mixes, nuts, and rice.
 
High Holy Days Parking Options
We are grateful to our local officials and neighbors for helping make parking more accessible during the High Holy Days. Please review the following options for services on October 1 and 2, 2025.
1. Beach/Rose Avenue Parking Lot – Pass Required
    Thanks to Supervisor Lindsay Horvath’s office, parking fees are reduced to $5/day.
 
  • Location: 300 Ocean Front Walk (Beach/Rose Ave lot)
  • Rate: $5 per day
  • Payment: On-site with Gate Attendant
  • Pass: Show the attached flyer (printed or on your phone)
    • Be sure to present your pass to the attendant. You’ll receive a receipt to display on your dashboard.
2. Main Street Plaza – Across from Mishkon (3110 Main St.)
Special rate of $8/day available October 1 and October 2 only.
 
  • Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Entrance: Off Marine Street
  • Instructions: Tell the attendant you are with the synagogue to receive a ticket and validation sticker.
  • Exit: Present ticket and validation to the attendant.
3. Relaxed Local Street Parking
Thanks to Councilmember Traci Park’s office, parking and street sweeping restrictions will not be enforced in the following areas:
 
  • Hampton Dr. (Rose → Dewey Alley, 200 S block)
  • 3rd St. (Rose → St. Clements Church driveway, 200 S block)
  • Rose Ave. (3rd St. → Speedway, 300E–00E blocks)
  • Main St. (Rose → Dewey Alley)
⚠ Note: Do not cross Dewey Alley into Santa Monica. Parking relief applies only within the City of Los Angeles.
 
 
Sorry, we do not provide parking validation. 
 
Mishkon is the Jewish historic heart of West LA. Located in Venice, a few blocks from the sea, Mishkon has been servinga the Jewish community of Los Angeles since 1917.

Fri, October 17 2025 25 Tishrei 5786