Temples Plan Services for High Holy Days

Celebrations are scheduled at various Ventura County temples in observance of the High Holy Days, a period of self-examination and contemplation for the Jewish community.

The two most significant events of the season are Rosh Hashanah, which is begins at sunset Wednesday and continues Thursday, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, which begins at sunset Sept. 24 and continues Sept. 25, said Rabbi Michael Berk of Temple Beth Torah in Ventura.

Traditionally, Jews have used the High Holy Days to renew their own spirituality, cast away sins and forgive others, Berk said.

“Beginning with Rosh Hashanah, we thank God for creating the world and we begin an assessment of our lives,” he said. “These 10 days of repentance culminate on Yom Kippur, which is traditionally a day of fasting.”

Services at Temple Beth Torah include Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday at 8 p.m., tickets required; morning service, Thursday at 10 a.m., tickets required; an ocean side Tashlich at Marina Park in Ventura, Thursday at 5 p.m.; Erev Yom Kippur, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m., tickets required; and morning service, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.

Services at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks include Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday at 8:15 p.m.; morning services, Thursday and Friday at 9:30 a.m.; Kol Nidre, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; and Yom Kippur, Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks will hold its major services at Ascension Lutheran Church at 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive because its facilities cannot accommodate the anticipated crowd, said Phyllis Weil, who is organizing publicity for the congregation.

Those services include Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday at 8 p.m.; morning services Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m.; Kol Nidre, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m.; and Yom Kippur, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.