Jewish in Seattle: When and Where to Celebrate the New Year
The Jewish New Year is upon us. Wednesday at sundown, we usher in the Hebrew year of 5772 -- some of us quietly at home with our family and friends, others of us at synagogue, and many of us without even realizing it. Seattle is a melting pot of diversity in ways that sometimes make it difficult to seek out communities that make us "feel" our cultural holidays and celebrations.
As a young adult that grew up in Los Angeles (aka "Little Israel"), moving up to Seattle was culture shock in a different way than it is for many others. "Where are all the Jews?" I thought to myself when I first arrived here. In LA, you cannot but be bombarded by the Jewish holiday (as boxes of matza line the grocery store isles and Hanukkah candles are free when you buy $50 worth of groceries at Von's or Ralph's) Here, there are small pockets hidden in and around Seattle. You have to know where to look. Once you know the "Jewish neighborhoods," you can certainly find ways to feel included and experience the High Holidays whether you are a Seattle native or a recent transplant.
If you are new to the community, I highly recommend checking out the Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur services held over at the University of Washington Hillel. For 20 and 30-somethings, this is a comfortable, welcoming environment where you don't necessarily have to worry about a 70-year-old bubby coming up to you and asking you about what you're planning on cooking for the yuntov, oh and when are you and what's-his-name gonna settle down and have some kinder? Also, if you're looking for a brisket, check GFC -- they tend to have brisket on hand and will cut you any size piece you like. For fresh made round (traditional) Rosh Hashanah hallahs, check your nearby bakeries (I'm getting mine from North Hill).
For other locations to enjoy some High Holiday services, there are a number of options. These include:
Temple Beth Am
2632 N.E. 80th Street
Seattle, WA
206.525.0915
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 28
Early Service 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Late Service 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Rosh Hashanah Services
Thursday, September 29
Early Service 8:30 AM - 11 AM
Late Service 11:45 AM - 2:15 PM
Children’s Service 2:30 - 3:45 PM
Tashlich Program 4 PM
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
Seattle Temple
1511 East Pike
Seattle, WA 98122
206.323.8486
Bellevue Temple
3850 156th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
425.454.5085
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Wednesday, September 28
7:30pm - 9:00pm in Seattle and Bellevue
Rosh Hashanah Services
Thursday, September 29
10:00AM - 12:00PM Service - Bellevue and Seattle
10:00AM - 12:00PM Rosh Hashanah Kids’ Kehillah - Bellevue and Seattle
1:30PM - 2:30PM Rosh Hashanah Family Service - Bellevue and Seattle
3:00PM - 4:00PM Tashlich Service - Luther Burbank Park Mercer Island
Congregation Beth Shalom
6800 35TH Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206.524.0075
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Wednesday, September 28
6:30pm - 7:15pm
Bet Chaverim
25701 14th Place South
Des Moines, WA 98198
206.577.0403
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Wednesday, September 28
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Services
Thursday, September 29
10:00am - 1:00pm
Temple B’nai Torah
15727 NE 4th Street
Bellevue, WA 98008
425.603.9677
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Wednesday, September 28
Rosh Hashanah Eve Contemporary Service - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Rosh Hashanah Eve - Traditional Service - 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Rosh Hashanah Services
Thursday, September 29
Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service- 9:00am - 10:00am
Rosh Hashanah - Teen Service - 9:00am - 10:00am
Rosh Hashanah - Youth Service - 9:00am - 10:00am
Contemporary Service - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Children’s and Family service - 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Shar’arei Tikvah Rosh Hashanah Service - 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Temple Beth El
5975 S. 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
253.564.7101
Erev Rosh Hashanah Services
Wednesday, September 28
Erev Rosh HaShanah family service - 5:00pm
Erev Rosh HaShanah tot service - 6:00pm
Erev Rosh HaShanah service - 8:00pm
Rosh Hashana Services
Thursday, September 29
Rosh HaShanah family service - 9:00am
Rosh HaShanah morning service - 10:30am
Tashlich service—Owen Beach, Point Defiance - 1:45pm
Second Day Service
Friday, September 30
Rosh Hashanah morning service - 10:00am
Temple Beth Or
3215 Lombard Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
425.259.7125
Erev Rosh Hashanah Services
Wednesday, September 28
7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Services
Thursday, September 29
Morning Service 10:00am
Dairy Lunch 12:30pm
Children’s Service 2:30pm
Tashlich Service 3:45pm
