Tonight, Jews will come together to recite Selichot, a series of penitential prayers in preparation for Rosh Hashana.
"Selichot is the introduction to the high holy day season," said Rabbi Louis Rieser, spiritual leader of Etz Hayim Synagogue in Derry, N.H., since 1997.
"It's the official public beginning of the season of repentance and asking people for forgiveness and offering that forgiveness," Rieser said.
Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on Sept. 8 and ends with Yom Kippur at sundown on Sept. 17.
The rabbi describes Rosh Hashana as "the day the world was born and the renewal of creation." The holy day ushers the year 5771 in the Hebrew calendar.
Rieser said the highlight of the high holy days is the sounds of the shofar or ram's horn, which is blown 100 times between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
"The sound of the shofar is just dramatic. It catches your attention and awaken us so that we don't take ourselves or our relationships for granted," Rieser said.
"The idea of it is that we're really in a season of repentance in which the apex is the day of atonement." The holy days are full of symbolism including eating a piece of apple dipped in honey for a sweet year and Tashlich, a special prayer said near a body of water either an ocean, river or pond where Jews symbolically cast their sins.
List of Selichot services:
Chabad of Merrimack Valley, 310 N Main St., Andover: Havdallah service and Niggun singing led by Rav Asher, accompanied by cellist Arkady Beletsky tonight at 10 p.m. program ends with Selichot at midnight.
Rosh Hashana, Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Sept. 9, 9 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Tashlich, 6 p.m. and evening service at 7:50 p.m.; Sept. 10, 9 and 11 a.m., 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 18, 9 and 11:30 a.m.; 5, 6:30 p.m. with ending of the fast at 7:31 p.m.
Congregation Ansha Sholum, 411 Hampshire St., Lawrence: Rosh Hashana Services, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tashlich service at the Spicket River. Sept. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.; Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Afternoon service at 6 p.m. ending with the breaking of the fast at 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel, 501 S. Main St., Andover: Selichot service begins with make your own sundaes and a video tonight at 9 p.m. Service is at 10 p.m.
Rosh Hashana services Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Sept. 9, 9 a.m., Tashlich service 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 10, 9 a.m. services.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.; Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Havurat Shalom, meets at Andover Olde Towne Hall, 20 Main St., Andover: Rosh Hashana service, 10 a.m. Yom Kippur service, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.
Etz Hayim, 11/2 Hood Road, Derry, N.H.: Rosh Hashana services Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Sept. 10, 9:30 a.m. Tashlich service at Hood Pond, approximately 12:30 p.m.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 7:15 p.m.; Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. Breaking of the fast at about 7 p.m.
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Selichot service Evening of music and prayer tonight at 7 p.m. Concert begins at 8 p.m. ending with a short service at 9 p.m.
Rosh Hashana services, Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Sept. 9, 8:45 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., children's service, Tashlich service at Duck Pond, 4:30 p.m. and evening service, 6 p.m.; Sept. 10, 10 a.m.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 5:30 and 8 p.m.; Sept. 18, 8:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Selichot service, Program and discussion begins at 9 p.m. tonight. The 2010-2011 bar/bat mitzvah students conduct candlelight at 9:30 p.m.
Rosh Hashana services, Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.; Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m., Tashlich, 5 p.m. at Alfred Dibartolomeo Memorial Park, at Round Pond, Lawrence Street.
Yom Kippur services, Sept. 17, 6:45 p.m.; Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Religion listings
All Saints, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill: The Rev. Arthur Coyle administers the sacrament of confirmation on high school juniors Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.
Beth Israel, 501 S. Main St., Andover: Rabbi Edward Friedman leads class on basic Judaism Mondays beginning Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Calvary Bible, 145 Hampstead Road, East Derry, N.H.: Meeting to discuss the creation of an interfaith hospitality network which will provide overnight stay, meals and services to the homeless families, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
Corpus Christi Church, 35 Essex St., Lawrence: Bible study on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Scriptures Wednesdays until Sept. 22, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Portuguese Mass is Sept. 26, 11 a.m., in honor of the Feast of the Holy Ghost.
Tomorrow's 9:30 and 11 a.m. Masses will be combined into a service at 10 a.m. to honor saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino.
First Baptist, 132 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.: The Rev. Robert L. Varnam presents a 13-week series from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount titled, "Jesus' Manifesto for a Christian Counterculture" from Matthew 5-7, beginning tomorrow at 10a.m.
Free community outdoor barbecue picnic at 4 p.m.
Haverhill Community Church, 17 Newcomb St., Haverhill: A study on the book of Ephesians is Sundays, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Holy Angels of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, N.H.: The Rev. Michael Monette leads healing Mass Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
Mother Queen of Peace of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish, 200 Lawrence Road, Salem, N.H.: Outdoor Mass is Sept. 12 at 10:45 a.m. followed by a parish festival from noon to 4 p.m. featuring pony rides, magician, karaoke, popcorn, sno-cones, bounce house, face painting, pie eating contest, pie throwing contest, games for children, a pie bake-off contest for adults and a cupcake and cookies bake-off contest for children. Free tickets available after the Masses.
New Creation Healing Center, Hunt and Newton Junction Roads, Kingston, N.H.: Anglican service of worship is tomorrow at 10 a.m. a Bible study ending with Communion is held every Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Thursday at 12:15 there is a half-hour midweek service.
North Parish, 190 Academy Road, North Andover: Barbara R. Call leads worship service tomorrow at 10 a.m. on, "Harnessing the Power of Change." Call is a writer, editor and writer. She is the author of "The Crafter's Devotional: 365 Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Unlocking your Creative Spirit."
Presentation of Mary, 209 Lawrence St., Methuen: The sisters host adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel of St. Claire residence Monday to Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
Religious Society of Friends, Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen: Quaker meeting is Sundays at 2 p.m. Details or directions call 978-397-6340 or go to www.lawrence-andover-quakers.org.
St. Augustine, Parish Center, 35 Essex St., Andover: Interfaith prayer shawl tea is Sept. 21, 2 p.m. The shawls will be blessed by local clergy, knitting groups will be honored. Sponsored by Communities Together, Inc. To register, call Fran at 978-686-4012.
St. Andrew Episcopal, 90 Broadway, Methuen: Bishop Gayle Harris leads installation service for the Rev. Joseph Wilkes Sept. 26 Mass.
St. Frederick Family Center, 3 New Boston Road, Kingston, N.H.: Adult Bible study on the book of Jeremiah, Tuesdays 9 to 11:30 a.m.
St. Gregory Armenian and St. Michael, Main Street, North Andover: Members of both churches come together for a picnic featuring American food and Armenian dishes, Sept. 12 after the noon Mass. Event includes food, music, dance, games. Main Street will be blocked from St. Gregory Church to Merrimack Street for the festivities.
St. John the Baptist, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill: Luncheon in honor of the Rev. Paul Coughlin who served as interim pastor, tomorrow at noon at Roma Restaurant, Middlesex Street. Participants pay for their lunch.
Deacon Tom Anthony leads exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by prayers Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Anthony celebrates prayer services Thursdays, 9 a.m.
St. Matthews United Methodist, Main Street, Sandown, N.H.: George Jackman, from Higher Ground Baptist Church, in Nottingham, N.H. discusses, "Real men have integrity" Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m. The lecture is part of First Monday Sandown a monthly gathering of Christian men for praise, fellowship, and Biblical teaching, and offers interactive discussions of contemporary topics. Evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a pizza buffet and dessert, followed by program at 7:30 p.m. with the St. Matthews' Praise Band and a time of study and discussion.
For details, call St. Matthews at 603-887-4922 or e-mail MensMinistries@comcast.net.
St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: A nine week of prayers in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal begins Sept. 7 at 6:45 p.m. and runs every Tuesday through Nov. 2. It features Marian hymns, exposition of the blessed sacrament, recitation of the rosary and benediction.
St. Patrick, 118 S. Broadway, Lawrence: The parish is a regional site for a religious education program for children with special needs. The program offers sacramental preparation for both children and adults. To register contact Diane Jarvis at 978-683-9416.
St. Patrick, 114 Center St., Groveland: Rosary for Peace group meets Thursdays at 7 p.m.
St. Patrick, 12 Main St., Pelham, N.H.: Bible study on the women in the Old Testament begins Sept. 8, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $12. A presentation on, "Ministry to the People of God in the Manner of St. Vincent de Paul," is Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. with Mass, followed by a reception and presentation.
St. Paul, 390 Main St., North Andover: The Women's book group discusses "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Morteson, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
St. Robert Bellarmine, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: St. Thomas Aquinas, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, N.H.: The Rev. Bruce Czapla leads study on the Sunday's gospel Sept. 9 7:15 to 8 p.m. and every Thursday through April 14, 2011.
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Open house for prospective members is Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon. Both will offer opportunities to meet clergy, staff and volunteers, tour the temple, get information on membership along with refreshments.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Open house for prospective members to the temple and religious school is Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
Trinitarian Congregational, 72 Elm St., North Andover: Church hosts Wednesday worship services at 7 p.m. The title for the informal service is "Come as You Are ... Leave Refreshed." It features the Rev. Richard Knight on guitar and guided meditation.
West Congregational, 767 Broadway, Haverhill: Men's Bible study on the First Book of St. Peter on Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. A study on the women in the bible is Thursday, 6:45 a.m.
