The High Holy Days are a journey that we take together as a community. This journey is a great celebration as we welcome in the new year and all the future has in store for us. We reconnect with old friends. We make new links as we meet people coming to the community for the first time. We feel a spirit of connection as we join together in song, prayer, and learning. The High Holy Days provide us, as does much of Jewish life, with an opportunity to plug into something greater than ourselves and to reach out to other people in our community. We hope you meet someone new this holiday season, as that simple step helps our Jewish community to grow and develop. We also hope that you are replenished by the energy of people coming together to worship and reconnect with the faith and heritage of our ancestors.
We look forward to seeing you during the holy days!
We are looking forward to celebrating the Holy Days with you. All services will be held in the Millstone Sanctuary except for Children’s Services which will be in the school hallway and Erev Sukkot which will be outside in front of the UH sukkah. We will also livestream on our website, YouTube and Facebook. Once a service is finished, it will be available to watch again from the beginning.
In mid August we will send out name tags that will serve as your ticket. When you arrive for High Holy Day services, please present your name tag (just like a ticket) at the door. Children in grades 12 and under are not required to have a name tag. College students need only to show their student I.D. for admission.
We know the holidays are a time where families and friends wish to be together, and all are invited to worship with us. To allow us to prepare for larger than usual attendance and for security purposes, all adults must have a name tag, members, and guests alike. Therefore, we ask that you obtain guest name tags in advance of the High Holy Days for any non-members attending services with you. Please call the office at 314-469-0700 to arrange for name tags for your guests. Be prepared to provide their names and contact information.
We will use our High Holy Day machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh. Prayer books will be provided at all in person services. We understand that some will still feel more comfortable participating in services from the comfort of your own home. If you are watching from home and wish to use a prayer book, there are three options to choose from:
You may also contact 314-469-0700 for assistance.
Enter the sanctuary parking lot only via the Old Woods Mill entrance.
Exit the sanctuary parking lot via Conway Road.
If our lot is full, you will be directed where to park.
Valet parking will once again be available for those who need it, thanks to the Betty and Eugene Wolff Transportation Fund. Drop-off will be at the sanctuary entrance and pick-up will be at the school entrance.
Do you need a ride to UH for a service or program? United Hebrew provides transportation for those who are unable to drive, compliments of the Betty and Eugene Wolff Transportation Fund.
Contact 314-469-0700 to arrange your ride.
Our Yizkor book contains the names of our dearly departed and it is a source of comfort for the entire year, with special readings, prayers, and the Kaddish. Submissions for this year’s book are due by August 10. If you would like to make a new submission, keep your submission the same, or make changes, please click here.
Please note, in order to meet print deadlines, memorial book entries that are submitted late will not be included in alphabetical order; they will be listed in a separate section in the back of the book.
The Book of Remembrance will be available at Yom Kippur Services on September 21 as well as on our website.
If you are unable to attend services and would like a print copy, please contact Esther Olson at eolson@unitedhebrew.org or 314-469-0700.
Start the New Year off right! Let your first mitzvah be to support the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Please bring your food donations to the chapel lobby before Yom Kippur services.
United Hebrew will be hosting children’s programming during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for children ages 2 through 1st grade. Childcare is $20 for members and $30 for non-members per child per session. Register by September 4 for Rosh Hashanah and September 11 for Yom Kippur. Register
We offer activity bags that may be checked out in the main office for young children who are attending services with their parents.
During the month of Elul, we are called to begin the process of reflection and repentance in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We are offering many opportunities for all ages to reflect and study throughout the month. Visit the Elul page for a complete list of programs and classes.
Dinner $18 per person | 6:15 p.m.
Selichot with Knives Program | 7 p.m.
Selichot Service | 9 p.m.
Ready for a different way to engage with the High Holidays? Join United Hebrew and Paper Midrash—our weekend artists-in-residence—for a hands-on paper cutting workshop for Selichot. You’ll cut collage, using stories from comic books, to make your own artwork inspired by texts on introspection, reflection, and redemption.
Following the program, we’ll continue with our 9 p.m. Selichot service, an evening of prayer, music, and intention-setting that marks the true spiritual beginning of the High Holy Day season. The evening will conclude with sweet desserts and warm conversation. Attend one or all events.
About Paper Midrash
We’re honored to welcome husband-and-wife “dynamic duo” Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik — together known as “Paper Midrash” — for a Selichot weekend in residence. Isaac cuts up comic books and reassembles them into papercuts exploring the stories of the Jewish people, while Rabbi Shawna adapts traditional Jewish concepts to a modern Reform context, and together, they create new pathways into Torah through deep scholarship and comic-book art. No experience or “artistic ability” is required, and all are welcome to make something meaningful this season. Paper Midrash Website
Selichot Service
9 p.m. – Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
On the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, we gather together for a very special service to help us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. The service is called “Selichot,” named for our prayers for forgiveness that we begin to offer at this time. The Selichot service introduces us to the themes, liturgy, and music of our Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe), thus helping us to get ready for this most holy and important time of year. During this service, we change the covers of our Torah scrolls from beautiful blues and vibrant colors to the symbolic white covers of the season and our service concludes with the sounding of the shofar. There will be a dessert reception immediately following the service.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
7:30 p.m. – Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
Our worship services are a joyous combination of our traditional and contemporary styles.
Children’s Service
9 a.m.— School Hallway, Livestream & Facebook
Join the UH Rabbis and Cantorial Soloist for a lively and fun children’s service where we’ll sing, pray, and hear the shofar.
Morning Service
10 a.m.—Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
Celebrate with the UH Rabbis and cantorial Soloist where we’ll sing, rejoice, and pray as one.
New! K–4 High Holy Day Experience
10 a.m.–12 p.m. – Youth Lounge
While families gather for Rosh Hashanah morning services, kids are invited to their own meaningful celebration of the New Year: a short kids’ service complete with prayers, songs, and shofar, followed by hands-on holiday stations exploring Teshuvah, honey tasting, crafts, and more. Find more information and register here.
Rosh Hashanah in the Orchard
1:30–4 p.m.—Centennial Farms
199 Jackson St, Augusta, MO 63332
Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including singing, a playground, a mini petting zoo, and food trucks. Bring a picnic lunch and join our clergy for a festive sing-along. Non-members are welcome! Register by September 1. Register here.
Morning Service
10 a.m.—Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
This beautiful morning service, led by UH clergy, has a slightly more traditional feel without the accompaniment of instruments.
Tashlich
12 p.m.—Lake on Ladue Rd.
Join us on the second day of Rosh Hashanah to observe Tashlich.
Middle School High Holy Days at Spoonful
12:30 p.m. Spoonful Desserts, 12943 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63141
Join us for Tashlich and then head with us to Spoonful for a sweet treat.
High School Hike
Saturday, September 19 | 10 a.m.
Castlewood State Park
Hit the trails together at one of St. Louis’s most beautiful state parks. Scenic bluffs and river views make for a perfect way to start the year outdoors. As Yom Kippur approaches, we’ll pause along the way for a Tashlich reflection. Join us for good company and good fun. More details will be sent after registering on our website.
United Hebrew Cemetery
7855 Canton Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63130
Join us for a meaningful service of remembrance at our cemetery on the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Led by our clergy and featuring reflections from a congregant, we honor the memory of loved ones and ancestors. This comforting tradition helps us transition between the holidays while remembering those on whose shoulders we stand.
Kol Nidrei Service
7:30 p.m.—Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
Join us for this inspiring service which begins with the beautifully haunting melody of Kol Nidrei played on the cello. The lights are dimmed as we reflect on the melody of this powerful prayer.
Children’s Service
9 a.m.— School Hallway, Livestream & Facebook
Join the UH Rabbis and cantorial Soloist for a lively and fun children’s service where we’ll sing, pray, and hear the shofar.
Morning & Early Memorial Service
10 a.m.—Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
An early Memorial Service will follow directly after the morning service.
Yom Kippur Moments of Meaning
1:30–4 p.m. A series of offerings will be available to assist in reflection. Please check our website for a complete list in early September.
Afternoon, Memorial and Concluding (Neilah) Services
4 p.m.—Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
Yom Kippur and our day of fasting will end with the sounding of the shofar.
Pizza in the Hut
5:30 p.m. – UH Sukkah
Enjoy a pizza and salad dinner outside by the UH sukkah. Cost is $10 per member, $15 for non-members. Register by September 24 so that we may know how much food to provide.
Mascots in the Sukkah
5:45 p.m. – UH Parking Lot in front of Sukkah
Mascots Fredbird and Louie from the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues respectively will join us for 30 minutes prior to the sukkot service and help us “shake our lulav.”
Erev Sukkot Service in the UH Parking Lot
6:30 p.m. – UH Parking Lot, Livestream & Facebook
Join us in front of the UH Sukkah for a fun outdoor service.
Sukkot and Shabbat Morning Service
10 a.m. – Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
A Sukkot Celebration Honoring Rabbi Rosenberg, with Dan Nichols
Saturday, September 26
Dinner inside, $36 per person, menu TBD | 6 p.m.
Sukkot evening program in the Sukkah with Dan Nichols | 7:30 pm
Join us as we welcome Dan Nichols back to United Hebrew for an evening of music and celebration. We will gather for a dinner honoring Rabbi Rosenberg’s Honorary Doctor of Divinity, awarded in recognition of her 25 years as a rabbi. Dan will lead a concert and sing-along in the UH sukkah afterwards. Watch our e-blasts and September bulletin for details. Dan’s musical residency is made possible though funds from the Helen C. Millstone Music Fund.
Eitz Chayim, Cultivating the Tree of Life: Part 2
7 p.m.
Join Rabbi Rosenberg for the conclusion of her Elul program.
Whiskey & Wisdom
7:30 pm
Join Rabbi Reinhart for a Sukkot style celebration of Whiskey & Wisdom. Register online.
Erev Simchat Torah & Consecration
6:30 p.m. – Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
Join us as we unroll the Torah completely and begin our transition from the end of the Torah to the beginning. We will also consecrate the youngest members of our congregation as they begin their religious school studies.
Simchat Torah, Shabbat Service, and Yizkor
10 a.m. – Millstone Sanctuary, Livestream & Facebook
13788 Conway Road
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-469-0700 (Main Office/Clergy)
314-434-3404 (School Office)
temple@unitedhebrew.org
Monday - Friday,
8:30 am - 5:15 pm
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