The synagogue does not have enough room to accommodate the 400 to 500 people expected to welcome the Jewish year 5767 at sunset tomorrow.

"This is the holiest time of the year for us and what's most important is that the space is sacred," said Schweber, spiritual leader of the conservative synagogue. "The community is who makes the space sacred."

The 10 days between Rosh Hashana, or the Feast of Trumpets, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, are a time of introspection and soul-searching and a time to make amends between God and fellow humans. This year, Yom Kippur falls on Oct. 1.

While the trip from the 501 S. Main St., Andover, synagogue to the Rogers Center off Route 114 in North Andover isn't far, it's fraught with complications.

First, members will load the 4-foot ark on a dolly from the synagogue and transport it by truck to the Rogers Center at the college.

Two of the 18 Torah scrolls the synagogue owns will be wrapped in prayer shawls and taken by car to the school, along with the silver crowns that go over the scroll handles.

Inside the performing arts center, white curtains will be hung over the stage as a symbol of purity, and plants will adorn the auditorium.

"I think it's a great thing," Schweber said, of having the services at the college founded by Augustinian priests in 1947.

He said holding the services at the arts center will be almost like a show.

Once the ceremony is done, the sanctuary will have to be quickly dismantled since there is an 8 p.m. performance the following day.

Schweber does not drive during the Sabbath or holy days, so he will stay in the Augustinian friary across the street from the college. He said he feels comfortable about the arrangements.

Schweber, a rabbi since 2004, graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with a double major in religious studies and Hebrew-Jewish culture studies.

He said his background makes him more open to other faiths.

"Intolerance comes from lack of knowledge," he said. "The more we learn about different religions, the more we see what we're about and what we have in common."

Beth Israel was formed two years ago after the merger of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Andover and Congregation Beth El in Lowell.

The conservative synagogue's members have been meeting at the Andover congregation's former home after the Lowell synagogue was sold. They are in the process of building a new and larger temple on Boutwell Road in West Andover.

Beth Israel has 140 families on its roster, who come from Greater Lawrence, Newburyport, Gloucester and Windham, N.H.

Having members of Beth Israel celebrate their high holiday services at Merrimack follows a long tradition of Jewish and Christian dialogue at the college, said Joseph Kelley, provost and vice president of mission effectiveness at the school.

Kelley said the late Rev. Vincent McQuade, who founded the school, had a close relationship with the Jewish community that once thrived in his native Lawrence.

The late Rabbi Samuel Fox taught at the Catholic school and was chairman of the religious department at Merrimack for more than 20 years.

Ten years ago, current college President Richard Santagati founded the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations at Merrimack.

Rabbi Robert Goldstein of Temple Emanuel in Andover is adjunct professor and teaches one or two classes a semester. Goldstein is chairman of the center's board.

"The center was founded as a way of emphasizing the importance of interreligious dialogue, understanding and respect," Kelley said.

box 1:

About Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashana means "head of the year" and celebrates the creation of Adam and Eve.

The sounding of the shofar, or ram's horn, is central to the holy day. It is a call to repentance.

The horn also recalls the ram which took Isaac's place when Abraham was about to offer his son as a sacrifice to God.

On Rosh Hashana, Jews dip apples into honey as a symbol of a happy and sweet year.

The 10-day holy day ends with Yom Kippur, also known as the day of atonement.

box 2:

Local services

The following is a list of Rosh Hashana services at local temples

* Chabad Lubavitch of Merrimack Valley, 310 N. Main St., Andover: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur, Oct. 1, 6:15 p.m.; Oct. 2, 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

* Congregation Ansha Shulim, 411 Hampshire St., Lawrence: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 9:30 p.m. Yom Kippur, Oct. 1, 6 p.m.; Oct. 2, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

* Congregation Beth Israel, meets at Rogers Center, Merrimack College: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 9 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.; Sept. 24, 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Yom Kippur, Oct. 1, 6 p.m.; Oct. 2, 9 a.m.

* Havurat Shalom, meets at Andover Old Town Hall, Main Street, Andover: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 9 a.m., children's services, 11 a.m. Yom Kippur, Oct. 1, 5:45 p.m. and Oct. 2, 9 a.m. Children's service at 11 a.m.

* Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 23, 8:45 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Children's service at 3 p.m. Yom Kippur, Oct. 1, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Oct. 2, 8:45 a.m. and noon. Children's service at 3 p.m.

* Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.; Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. The temple will have service for preschool children and their parents, Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. and on Yom Kippur, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m.