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On Rosh HaShanah...
בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יִכָּתֵבוּן
The Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah, begins at nightfall on Friday 11 September 2026. It marks the new year of 5787, the new month of Tishri, and the cycle begins again of our introspection, reflection and determination to live a full and meaningful life.
We imagine all our deeds from the past year being written down. The image of weighing scales looms large; did my good deeds outweigh the bad ones? Will I be written into the Book of Life, to live another year?
...Ten Days...
The ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are our chance to make amends. We must go deep into ourselves and acknowledge where we went wrong, who we hurt, what we missed, what we misjudged.
We reflect and determine to do and be better this year.
and on Yom Kippur...
וּבְיוֹם צוֹם כִּפּוּר יֵחָתֵמוּן
The 25 hour fast of Yom Kippur, the Shabbat of all Shabbats, the holiest of days, is not about the abstaining of food, but more about the intensity of prayer throughout the day, with no distractions, not even food. It marks our final attempts to acknowledge our faults, and to seek forgiveness.
Yom Kippur starts on the evening of Sunday 20 September 2026,
and ends at the end of daylight on Monday 21 September.
When the shofar blasts at the end of Yom Kippur, our fate for the year ahead is sealed.
We have gone on a truly immense journey, and return to day to day life with a clean slate, feeling refreshed and reinvigorated for life,
This year with Nefesh Leeds:
Selichot:
Saturday 5 September, Selichot Poetry Slam: a late evening gathering,
sharing a gentle, creative, reflective space to get into the High Holy Day spirit.
The evening will be a combination of reading others', and creating our own, thoughts on this season.
Rosh HaShanah:
Friday 11 September, Friday Night Together Rosh HaShanah special:
an informal gathering where we'll welcome in the new year together with song and prayer, and food of course!
It will be a bring - and - share vegetarian buffet, likely in someone's house,
or, if there are a lot of us and we have the funds - a hired venue.
Saturday 12 September, morning gathering with prayer, singing, reflection and Torah reading
for FIRST DAY ROSH HASHANAH ONLY
Within the Ten Days:
Tuesday 15 September evening at Harrogate Turkish Baths including ritual water immersion
(not included in the High Holy Day ticket - book independently here)
Yom Kippur:
Sunday 20 September, KOL NIDRE service: we'll begin our Yom Kippur journey together with the themes of Kol Nidre
weaving together traditions from throughout our many Jewish legacies.
Monday 21 September, travelling YOM KIPPUR: throughout the day, combining tradition and innovation.
It will be a whole day's journey, over multiple locations through the Yom Kippur day,
with elements of prayer, study, song, reflection, fresh air and conversation.
We will hold space for remembering loved ones who have passed, in the Yizkor service, time tbc.
The day will culminate with the closing of the heavenly gates at Ne'ila, and the shofar blast.
We will then break the fast together and enjoy a catered meal together.
Join us at any stage of the journey, or all of it!
Tickets:
If you can, please pay £120 for a standard adult, or £55 for a standard child’s / budget-friendly adult ticket.
If you are able and willing to pay more, please purchase the £200 ticket. Your additional donation will be welcome and put to good use to ensure we can offer the best experience we are able, for as many people as possible..
If none of these options are suitable for you, please know that you are very welcome.
Please contact Anna directly and in confidence.
High Holy Days 5787Membership Offer