Rosh Hashanah 5784
This year, we are holding the majority of our first day Rosh Hashanah services at the Vue, North Finchley, along with one service at FRS.
Please click here to find out more about the services and decide which service you would like to book into.
Booking for Rosh Hashanah day 1 is now closed. Please email Sam.Clifford@frs.org.uk if you have queries about bookings.
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 - click here to jump down and learn more about the service options
The service at FRS will be multi access (zoom and in-person) - the Vue, North Finchley does not have the capacity to host Zoom.
We are exploring the option to hold a small sensory space for children. Please contact Karen Bloom if you would like to find out more and help to make this happen.
Rosh Hashanah Overview
| Service | Date | Time | Location | Do I need to book? |
| Erev Rosh Hashanah 1 | Friday 15th September | 6.30pm | FRS | No |
| Rosh Hashanah 1 | Saturday 16th September | Staggered starts please check individual service times carefully | Vue, North Finchley and FRS | YES |
| Chavurah Lunch and Tashlich | Saturday 16th September | 1.00pm | FRS | YES |
| Erev Rosh Hashanah 2 | Saturday 16th September | 6.30pm | FRS | No |
| Rosh Hashanah 2 | Sunday 17th September | 10.00am | FRS | No |
Services for all ages:
Screen 1: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service - SOLD OUT
10.30am
Join Rabbi Miriam and then Rabbi Deborah, together with our new Choir Director, Sam Evans, and members of the choir. A traditional Rosh Hashanah morning service with an FRS @ the cinema twist. Big screen moments, something new instead of a sermon, and the opportunity to be immersed in the themes of the day.
Screen 8: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
10.30am
Join Cantor Zöe and Rhiannon Humphreys, together with members of the choir. This Rosh Hashanah morning service will have a particular focus on music. We will sing both traditional, much-loved High Holy Day music, and have a chance to reflect on the liturgy through some new musical settings, accompanied by guitar. Come and sing with us!
FRS: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
10.00am
Join Rabbi Howard Cooper and Janet Berenson for a traditional, acapella Rosh Hashanah morning service at FRS. This service will be multi-access.
Services for adults only:
Screen 5: Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
10.30am
Our multi-screen Rosh Hashanah this year offers the opportunity for an adult-only rated service. Rabbi Tony Bayfield has written a service which invites us to relate to God and the world in a thoroughly grown-up fashion.
The service will be co-led by Rabbi Bayfield and Tim Franks who will also blow the shofar in his inimitable and astonishing manner.
The service will feature innovative liturgy, specially selected study passages, a multi-layered Torah service intended as a collective adult Bar Mitzvah, a Newsnight-style panel, and a radically revised Musaf. The service will also feature a special guest appearance by the Devil’s Advocate.
No prayer books are required – all the liturgy read and sung will be on the big screen. Just arrive early please because there will be adult themes and flashing insights straight from the start.
Services with youth and families in mind:
Screen 4: Rhythm 'n' Jews
Many will be familiar with our band-led multi-generational Rosh Hashanah service but we are looking forward to enjoying a more intimate environment in this screen. Services will be led by Rabbi Miriam Berger, Rabbi Deborah Blausten and the Rhythm 'n' Jews band. There will be two R'n'J services lasting an hour each:
Service 1: 10am with Rabbi Deborah
Service 2: 11:30am with Rabbi Miriam
Both services will be similar so please choose the time slot that suits your family.
You are also welcome to join one of the main services either before or after R'n'J but please do remember to book if you plan to join the main service as well.
Screen 2: Massuot Film for years 6-8
10am
Join us for a Rosh Hashanah film screening at the cinema! In this session we will watch the 2008 Pixar film WALL-E, followed by an activity-based discussion exploring some of the themes of the movie. We will dive deeper into what is on the surface a heartwarming and nostalgic film, but is filled with thought-provoking and relevant messages especially for Rosh Hashanah. On Rosh Hashanah we celebrate the birthday of the world, and central to WALL-E is the idea of our responsibility to the environment and the wider world, making it a great way to celebrate and mark Rosh Hashanah together through a classic film.
And if that's not exciting enough already, we'll also have special Rosh Hashanah edition apple and honey popcorn!
Screen 7: Teen Film for years 9-11
10am
Join us for a Rosh Hashanah film screening at the cinema! In this session we will watch the 2020 film ‘Nine Days’ together, followed by a discussion exploring the themes of the movie. We will dive deeper into the central aspects of the film such as the idea of new beginnings, which is especially relevant to us as we mark the Jewish New Year, as well as the sanctity of life, mental health and taking things for granted. The characters are asked questions throughout the film which we will explore ourselves as we delve into our own perspectives on the challenges the characters face.
And if that's not exciting enough already, we'll also have special Rosh Hashanah edition apple and honey popcorn!
Volunteering Opportunities
This year we are offering volunteering opportunities at Food Bank Aid outside the North Finchley Vue.
We would love for years 12-13 to sign up to volunteer at Food Bank Aid outside your chosen service times. Click here for more information and to sign up.
For all under 18s:
We are planning to have one screen available at the Vue for those for whom the noise and bustle of the cinema may be challenging. We will provide colouring, some fidget toys and a bit of quieter space. If this space may be something that your child would benefit from, you will need to book a seat, in the same way as for the other screens. Please note that any under 18 using this space will need to have booked and to be accompanied on the day by a parent or guardian. Click here to book or email Karen Bloom for more information.
Chavurah Lunch and Tashlich with Janet Berenson
On Rosh Hashanah we celebrate the birthday of the world and also reflect on our shortcomings. For many of us FRS is our second family, and this year we will have the chance to share a celebratory chavurah lunch immediately after the Rosh Hashanah Day 1 service at the synagogue on 16 September. If you are attending services at the Vue you can come and join us after services end. This will be followed in the afternoon by Tashlich, the ritual of symbolically casting our sins on flowing water. Please click here to book and let us know what you plan to bring (vegetarian or fish or vegan, main or dessert). You are welcome to participate in both or either of these, though numbers for lunch may be limited by space. For more information, please contact Janet Berenson.
