Free holiday services at Merrick Chabad Center

Just 6 weeks before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, there are still many Jews who have no plans to attend services.

Some are not affiliated with a synagogue, others are looking for enjoyable, meaningful & inspiring services, while others will be in town visiting their families and loved ones, and a sizable percentage simply don’t feel comfortable in a synagogue setting. There are also some who cannot afford the cost of services.

Whatever the case is, many of these would-be worshippers are feeling the pangs associated with being left out of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar.

Chabad Center for Jewish Life, the local Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh branch of the largest Jewish outreach organization in the world, has presented its own High Holiday services option, providing services at no charge for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in a warm and inclusive setting.

Chabad’s services are “user-friendly,” making it enjoyable and meaningful for both the beginner and the advanced.  Song, commentary and the use of English-Hebrew prayer books, enable those of all levels to become active participants in the services.  Rabbi Shmuel Shneur and Mendel Kramer will be offering commentaries on various selections of the prayers and congregants will enjoy awe-inspiring cantorial renditions by Cantors Avremi Browd and Tzvi Seliger.

“According to Jewish tradition, on the Jewish New Year, the doors of Heaven are open. God accepts prayers from everyone,” Chabad Rabbi Shimon Kramer said. “The least we can do is open our doors as well, to the entire community.  Whether someone can afford to pay or not, whether he or she is familiar with a synagogue or has never been to one, we will do our best to ensure that everyone is made to feel welcome.”

“The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, insisted that Judaism is accessible to all. During the High Holy Days, accessibility can translate into different factors for different people, such as a non-judgmental atmosphere, affordability of the services, or the ability for a beginner to follow along,” Kramer added. “Our goal is to encourage each and every Jew to actively participate in these most holy and introspective days.”

Rosh Hashanah begins this year after sundown on Sept. 25th and extends until nightfall on Sept. 27th. Yom Kippur begins this year at sundown on the eve of Oct. 4th and extends until nightfall on Oct. 5th.  

To reserve a space, register online at ChabadJewishLife.org, or call Chabad Center for Jewish Life at 516-833-3057. There is no charge for services. Upon reservation, location details will be shared.