Return. Renew. Rejoice.
High Holy Days 2025/5786
This sacred season of teshuvah (returning) invites us to come back: to ourselves, to one another, and to what matters most. It marks the start of a journey toward deeper reflection, connection, and renewal. Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the Piaseczner Rebbe and author of the Aish Kodesh (Holy Fire) sermons given during the Holocaust, offers a profound understanding of this journey. He teaches that teshuvah is not merely a return to who we once were, but a creative and hopeful process of re-creating ourselves anew—a spiritual act of renewal and transformation even amid the greatest challenges.
In a time when the world feels uncertain and heavy, both at home and abroad, this season invites us to lean into that process together. With this guiding spirit, we’ve curated this dynamic and interactive lineup of classes, services, gatherings, and resources to support you as you navigate Elul and the High Holy Day season.
May this season be one of heartfelt return, joyful renewal, and collective rejoicing.
Shana Tova! Here’s to a more joyous, healthy, and peace-filled 5786.
Elul: Pre-High Holy Day Warm Up
The Hebrew month of Elul (Aug 25 - Sept 22), the month preceding the Jewish High Holy Days, is a traditional period for spiritual reflection, introspection, and caring for our relationships through conversation and repair. We look forward to gathering with you as we prepare for this High Holy Day season with the following offerings:
HiHo Hikes & Learning
Sundays - September 7, 14, 21 • 10:00am-12:00pm
Jewish mystics retreated into nature as a way to experience a more profound sense of intention and attention to their lives. We’ll be guided on our hikes by our very own “hike captains” (nature lovin’ folks from the Den), followed by learning and discussion to get us warmed up for the season. BYO snack + water bottle. No experience necessary, all welcome! Sign up below:
Sunday, Sept. 7 Hike - Sign Up by Wed., Sept. 3
Sunday, Sept. 14 Hike - Sign Up by Wed., Sept. 10
Sunday, Sept. 21 Hike - Sign Up by Wed., Sept. 17
Selichot: Havdalah + Singing Circle
Saturday, September 13 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Selichot = Prayers asking for forgiveness. On the Saturday night before we move into the new year, it is an ancient custom to enter the week of the High Holy Days with the tunes of the season in our ears and on our hearts. Everyone is invited to join us for this in-person Selichot Service experience, complete with havdalah marking the end of Shabbat and soulful singing with members of our Den Music Team. We will gather at a central location in DC. Sign Up by Sept 10.
Rosh Hashana Challah Bake + Learn
Wednesday, September 17 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Join us for an intimate evening of deep connection, sweet challah baking, and exploration of Jewish teachings! We'll be joined by Rachel Jacobs from Walla Challah, who will guide us as as we braid and bake our round and sweet Rosh Hashana challahs. As our challahs bake in the oven, we’ll gather together with Rabbi Aderet for a dynamic learning and discussion session touching on the themes of the High Holy Day season. You’ll take home your freshly baked challah bread to enjoy over the holiday (or in the car… We won't judge ;)
We will gather at a location in Bethesda, MD. Sign Up by Sept 12.
Rosh Hashana: the Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashana Services
Please reach out if you’d like us to help you find a service near you or one that speaks to your interests.
Aseret Yemei Teshuva: the Days Between
[the 10 days between Rosh Hashana + Yom Kippur]
Kayaking Tashlich on the Potomac River
Sunday, September 28 • 10:30am - 12:30pm
Join the Den for our annual Kayaking Tashlich experience on the Potomac River. The ritual of Tashlich, or “casting away”, is conducted during the Ten Days between the start of Rosh Hashana and the beginning of Yom Kippur. We’ll kayak out together to a location on the Potomac River where Rabbi Aderet will guide us through this powerful and meaningful ritual. You are then invited to enjoy the riverside scenery and find a spot to eat lunch together with other community members. Location shared with registrants. All are welcome! Sign Up by Sept 21.
High Holy Day Resources:
the Den’s High Holy Day Blessings + Ritual Guide - We lovingly put together this resource for your holiday celebration and observance to take you from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur, including Tashlich! We include candle lighting times, explanations of rituals, as well as all blessings in Hebrew, transliteration, and English translations. Enjoy!
the Den's Symbolic Foods of Rosh Hashana Guide - We designed this easy-to-follow, printable guide to the most common symbolic foods of Rosh Hashana. Each food has a blessing/intention that you say along with it! You can use this on Rosh Hashana, to add more intentionality to your festive meal.
JConnect - For those with small kiddos at home, check out this great resource for High Holy Day family services, communal events, holiday recipes and more!
Join our friends at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, in preparing for the Jewish New Year by reflecting on the past year and returning to your most authentic self in a month-long mindfulness study group.
The Blue Dove Foundation has a collection of mental health resources for the High Holy Days. Highlights include a Chesbon Hanefesh - Accounting of the Soul, and a Mental Health Tashlich.
Check out OneTable to join or host a Shabbat meal on Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Return (9/26), between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
Mizrahi and Sephardic Rosh Hashana recipes - Explore these recipes from our friends over at JIMENA, an organization dedicated to educating and advocating for Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa.
Or HaLev, an international Jewish spirituality + meditation organization, shares a 7 minute Forgiveness Meditation for the High Holy Day season.
Shana Tova Coloring Book from Recustom - Enjoy11 pages of coloring fun for the young and young at heart.