Are you still looking for a place to worship on Rosh Hashanah?
Are you on a budget?
Are you all of the above?
Luckily, there are many area shuls that are offering free or deeply discounted entry for those seeking to welcome the New Year.
Here is a sampling of a few area congregations across all denominations offering free or discounted tickets for the High Holidays. More can be found at jewishphilly.org/get-involved/high-holiday-open-services.
Beware of registration deadlines; some may have passed.
Mishkan Shalom
The synagogue is continuing its tradition of going ticketless for the High Holidays, and asks instead for a donation. An erev Rosh Hashanah service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland Ave., Philadelphia. Rosh Hashanah services will be held on Sept. 10 and 11 at 9 a.m. at Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford.
Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
The Center City synagogue will kick off the New Year with its annual RH²: Rosh Hashanah in Rittenhouse Square on Sept. 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will begin with a musical performance, followed by a traditional, family-friendly service that is free and open to the public. Find more information at bzbi.org.
Area Chabads and Community Centers
Society Hill’s B’nai Abraham Chabad will offer free services (registration required at phillyshul.com), as will Chabad Lubavitch of Chester County, Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center in Rydal, Chabad of Lafayette Hill, Lubavitch of Montgomery County, Chabad of the Main Line, Chabad of Penn Wynne and Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center.
Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel
“The Little Shul” in South Philly will offer free services for both days of the holiday, starting at 9 a.m. Stick around later for apples and honey during kiddush. 215-839-6018. 2015 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia.
Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City
The Reconstructionist shul doesn’t require tickets to be bought; however, for security, registration is requested at leyvhair.org. Services are at 10 a.m. at Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.
Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Members and prospective members are invited to services at 3 p.m. on Sept. 10. 215-627-6747. 615 N. Broad St., Philadelphia.
KleinLife
The Northeast community center will offer services that are in Russian, Hebrew and some English. 215-698-7300. 10100 Jamison Ave., Philadelphia.
Congregation Dibrot Eliyahu
The newest addition to Northeast Philly shuls, the Sephardi congregation will kick things off with free Rosh Hashanah services. 20118 Solly Ave., Philadelphia.
Germantown Jewish Centre
For the cash-poor students out there, the GJC is asking for a suggested donation of $36 for students (undergraduate or graduate) seeking tickets. 400 W. Ellet St. Philadelphia.
Jewish Children’s Folkshul
Families welcome for High Holidays services held at Germantown Friends Meeting House. No RSVP or reservations required. The suggested contribution is $50 per person/per program. 47 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia.
Ohev Shalom of Bucks County
Services are open to the community on the second day of Rosh Hashanah at 8:30 a.m. and Yom Kippur for the Yizkor service around 1 p.m. You can also attend remotely via Live Stream. Visit ohev.org for more information. 215-322-9595. 944 Second Street Pike, Richboro.
Beth David Reform Congregation
The shul offers free High Holiday services to all college and grad students holding college ID. (Your ID acts as your ticket.) 610-896-7485. 1130 Vaughan Lane, Gladwyne.
Beth Am Israel
Free intergenerational family services from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Geared for families with young kids and open to all ages. Registration is required. 610-667-1651. 1301 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley.
Beth Chaim Reform Congregation
Beth Chaim invites you for its free High Holidays services. Interfaith families, guests and non-members are welcome, but reservations are needed. 389 Conestoga Road, Malvern.
[email protected]; 215-832-0740
