Join Us!
We invite you to experience a variety of offerings during the High Holiday season. Please scroll down to learn everything you need to know and do to fully participate. Programming begins prior to Rosh HaShanah and continues throughout Sukkot. Be sure to read your emails for more details on upcoming events. We look forward to being in community with you!
Read Rabbi Lauren’s High Holiday message
Ensure you’ve completed the High Holiday Checklist
Review our calendar of events and RSVP to the activities and meals that require a prior sign-up
Rabbi Lauren’s High Holiday Message
Zochreinu l’chayim - Remember us for life
What does it look like to embrace life, bacharta bachayim, as we’re instructed in the book of Deuteronomy, in every moment we can? How do we remember to lean into the fullness of life, every single day, and still be able to see the beauty amidst all of the brokenness?
We come together on the high holidays to sing in community and to feel the buzz of our own aliveness, our voices vibrating in sync with each other, the energy spilling over and reviving us, fueling our sense of mission to repair the world around us. We gather to be reminded of our belovedness and to discern for ourselves as individuals and as a shared community who we are called to be in this moment.
I’m thinking of that moment during Rosh Hashanah when we sing Avinu Malkeinu together for the very first time. That classic melody seems to take on a life of its own, tapping into something so deep in each of us and pouring it out like a stream that can nurture everyone around us.
As the high holidays approach, I am acutely aware of how much we are all holding - navigating unexpected health challenges and hardships, major life transitions, and difficult relationships. We are holding so much intensity amidst increasing antisemitism here in the US and ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Throughout Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we recite Zochreinu l’chayim, melech chafetz bachayim: “Remember us for life, Sovereign who desires life.” The God we cry out to during the high holiday prayers is the God who values life above all else and who kindles the life-force inside of each and every one of us. This God sees each one of us and holds us in our unique individuality. This God remembers all that we have done and all that we are capable of doing. This God loves us infinitely, and in that love we sense that each of our lives is of infinite value.
This year, we once again invite you to bring your friends and family and join us for many opportunities to connect during the high holidays. We’ll share the vision for our community that we’ve co-created through our strategic planning process and chart a future together that is resounding with life.
High Holiday Checklist
Ensure you have your High Holiday Tickets
Services will be held at Or Hadash and streamed over YouTube/Zoom. Members in good standing may attend in person by providing a picture ID. As a reminder, family memberships include any children under 25. For non-member tickets, contact the office at 404-250-3338 to make arrangements or fill out the ticket request form.
Sign up to Volunteer
High Holidays cannot happen without all of you amazing volunteers. There are many opportunities to assist during the High Holidays this year including:
Ushers/Welcome Table volunteers
Youth programming helpers
Please volunteer for a shift during one of the days—email volunteer@or-hadash.org
Register your kids for youth & teen programming and childcare
We provide stimulating and creative youth programming for grades K-7. Your children can look forward to an interactive animal experience, a puppet show, escape rooms, mock trials, and lots more! A combination of babysitting and programming will be available for ages 6 months-4 years (including time with the animals and puppets)! For details and to register your children, click here. There is a small charge for youth programming.
Back by popular demand, we will have a designated teen lounge for 8th-12th graders with a mix of teen-centered programming and time and space to hang out. No registration or cost.
Bring your food donations: Tikkun Olam projects
Or Hadash will once again be collecting food for the hungry, leading up to and during the High Holidays. Please drop off your non-perishable items at Or Hadash through Yom Kippur. We will also be joining with the international Jewish community doing a reverse Tashlich waterfront cleanup on 9/28. See details below.
Make your Kol Nidre Pledge
Please help ensure the financial strength and ongoing vibrancy of our community. To make your pledge, please email kol-nidre@or-hadash.org or to make your Kol Nidre Appeal donation click here.
High Holiday Activities and Services:
Rosh HaShanah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot and Simchat Torah
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Join us after Kiddush lunch to warm up our souls and prepare for the High Holidays by singing through beloved songs and prayers of the season, old and new melodies alike. You don’t have to be a brilliant singer, just willing to open your mouth and your heart!
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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This two-session workshop rooted in the Jewish spiritual practices of Mussar and Chassidut will guide you through a process of cheshbon nefesh (inner reflection) involving writing, meditation, text study, and conversation. You'll emerge better prepared to enter into the work of Yom Kippur and supported in developing a spiritual action plan for the year ahead.
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Surround yourself with the sounds and prayers of the High Holy Days with our annual Selichot song circle, a gathering under the stars focused on prayers of forgiveness. This year, members of Congregation Bet Haverim and Gesher L’Torah will join us. All are welcome. Havdalah and dessert to follow.
Free event: RSVP here
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Services will be held at Or Hadash and streamed over YouTube/Zoom. Members in good standing will be able to attend by providing a picture ID.
For non-member tickets, contact the Or Hadash office at 404-250-3338 or complete the ticket request form here.
Location: Or Hadash
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Following services Monday night, we will be joining together for a delicious catered Holiday dinner. RSVP is required. Cost is $36/person. Please provide any food allergies when you register.
Location: Or Hadash
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Join Rabbi Lauren, Dr. Amy, the Davening Team and the Or Hadash community for Rosh HaShanah services. Services will be held at Or Hadash and streamed over YouTube/Zoom. Members in good standing will be able to attend by providing a picture ID.
For non-member tickets, contact Or Hadash at 404-250-3338 or fill out the ticket request form here.
Youth programming will be held from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Location: Or Hadash
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Join Rabbi Lauren, Dr. Amy, the Davening Team and the Or Hadash community for Rosh HaShanah services. Services will be held at Or Hadash and streamed over YouTube/Zoom. Members in good standing will be able to attend by providing a picture ID.
In this service, we’ll let ourselves spend more time with the most meaningful prayers from the liturgy instead of rushing through. There will be singing and chanting, quiet meditation, two options for Torah service (the full Torah reading in the sanctuary as well as a Torah study to wrestle with the stories themselves), and of course, the shofar blasts
Youth programming will be held from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Location: Or Hadash
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The second of this two-session workshop rooted in the Jewish spiritual practices of Mussar and Chassidut will guide you through a process of cheshbon nefesh (inner reflection) involving writing, meditation, text study, and conversation. You'll emerge better prepared to enter into the work of Yom Kippur and supported in developing a spiritual action plan for the year ahead.
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Join Rabbi Lauren and your Or Hadash family for a visitation to Arlington Cemetery.
Location: Arlington Cemetery
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Join us for Tashlich followed by a community-wide Reverse Tashlich river cleanup.
Tashlich is a Rosh Hashanah ritual in which Jews begin the new year by symbolically casting off last year's sins by tossing pebbles or bread crumbs into a body of water.
In 2016, the college division of Repair the Sea (Scubi Jew®) at Eckerd College conceived the idea of hosting a Reverse Tashlich: a beach cleanup to remove human "sins" from the water.
Every year since, Reverse Tashlich has expanded as new communities have joined and removed thousands of pounds of debris from waterfront locations around the world as part of their High Holiday observance. Last year over 3000 participants from 245 communities in 12 countries joined the initiative. Or Hadash will participate this year by cleaning up as part of the Chattahoochee RiverKeepers.
details on where to meet and what to bring will be provided later. Great for all ages and stages!
Location: TBD
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Bringing the beauty and spirituality of the traditional service, this abbreviated service is designed for our members with earlier bedtimes or who prefer a shorter service.
RSVP here.
Location: Or Hadash sanctuary/Zoom
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Join our Or Hadash community for a beautiful, meaningful start to Yom Kippur.
Fill out the ticket request form here.
Location: Or Hadash and Zoom/YouTube
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Join the Or Hadash community for Yom Kippur services\
Services begin at 8:30 AM
Yizkor will be at approximately 11:00 am.
Youth programming 10 am-1 pm.
Fill out the ticket request form.
Location: Or Hadash and Zoom/YouTube
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Stay at OH all day and participate in educational and spiritual programming. Details to follow.
Location: Or Hadash
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Don’t miss our Or Hadash Youth performance of Jonah—a highlight of our Yom Kippur day.
Location: Or Hadash sanctuary
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Join us for the beautiful final services for Yom Kippur as the “gates close.” Havdalah is at 7:57 PM.
Stay for our community Break Fast immediately following Havdalah.
Location: Or Hadash sanctuary
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Join our congregation for a catered Break Fast in the courtyard immediately following services. RSVP is required. $18/person, discounts for families. Please register and provide any food allergies.
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Join us for services in the sukkah followed by kiddush lunch
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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As we shake off the stress of the day, join Dr. Amy to discuss different responses to Qohelet’s big question: what’s all this hustle for anyway? What’s really worth doing with our limited days on this earth?
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Enjoy special single malt scotch and sizzling steaks with OH Men’s Club. Space is limited to 40 participants so please RSVP.
Cost: $40 for Men’s Club Members/$50 non-members.
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Bring your lunch to the Sukkah for an environmental text study program with Adamah Atlanta! We'll gather to dive into the role of water in our tradition, connection with land, and how Sukkot is a crucial time, both in our ancient tradition and today.
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Join us for Shabbat services followed by a catered dinner in the Sukkah.
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Join us for our 5th annual Movie in the Sukkah. We will be screening “Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella”
Come at 7 PM for a light nosh and Havdalah. The movie starts at 8:15 PM.
Location: Or Hadash
Free to attend. RSVP requested here.
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Calling all families with kids, ages pre-school through elementary school. Come spend the morning in the sukkah and join in fun, creative activities.
Please RSVP.
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Join the women of Or Nashim for conversation, games, nosh and libations in the sukkah. Bring your favorite games or pick from the ones others bring. A great opportunity to meet new people and connect with long-time friends.
Free for Or Nashim members/$5 non-members
Location: Or Hadash Courtyard
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Come dance with the book our rabbis say has no beginning and no end. Nosh provided before the service.
6 PM Nosh
6:30 PM Services
Great for all ages and stages!
Location: Or Hadash
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Join us for Simchat Torah/ Yizkor/Shemini Atzeret Services followed by Kiddush lunch.
Location: Or Hadash
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Youth Programming & Childcare
Please register your K-7th grade kids to participate in stimulating and creative activities during High Holidays. Childcare available for under 4 yrs.
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Yizkor Book -B’Sefer Hayim
We combine our traditional Yizkor Book with a Book of Life. Remember and honor loved ones who have passed and share messages of gratitude.
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Yom Tov Dinner: Erev Rosh HaShanah
Following services Monday night, September 22, join together for a lovely catered dinner. RSVP is required. $36/person, discounts for families.
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Kol Nidre Appeal
Please make your Kol Nidre contribution now and help ensure the financial strength and ongoing vibrancy of our community. To make a pledge, please email kol-nidre@or-hadash.org.
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Break Fast after Neilah
Join us in the Courtyard for a catered , community Break Fast, immediately after Yom Kippur Neilah services. RSVP required. $18/person, discounts for families.
