Chabad of Toluca Lake will welcome families and individuals from across the community for a series of outdoor High Holiday services and events celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this September.
The services will be held in the outdoor courtyard at Villa Blanca, located at 10623 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. Designed to be warm, welcoming and accessible, the gatherings are open to everyone, regardless of background, affiliation or level of religious observance. Membership is not required, and High Holiday services are free to attend, although donations are appreciated.
Rosh Hashanah celebrations will begin Friday, Sept. 11, with a festive “Jew Year’s Eve” cocktail hour at 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to connect with others before the holiday begins.
A candle-lighting ceremony will follow at 6:47 p.m., with evening services beginning at 7 p.m. The night will conclude with a candlelit Rosh Hashanah dinner at 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required for the dinner.
Services will continue Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning with the morning service at 9:30 a.m. The Torah reading and sermon from Rabbi Moishe Carlebach will begin at 10:30 a.m.
A children’s program will be offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., allowing younger attendees to participate in an engaging and age-appropriate holiday experience. Festive Kiddush refreshments will be served at 1 p.m.
The celebration will extend beyond the courtyard on Sunday, Sept. 13, when Chabad of Toluca Lake hosts its Community Shofar in the Park at 5:30 p.m. at North Weddington Park, located at 10844 Acama Street in North Hollywood.
The family-friendly gathering will offer community members an opportunity to hear the sounding of the shofar in a casual outdoor setting. The event is free and open to all.
Yom Kippur observances will begin Sunday, Sept. 20, with the Kol Nidrei service at 6:45 p.m. Services will resume Monday, Sept. 21, with the morning service at 10 a.m., followed by the Torah reading and Rabbi Carlebach’s sermon at 11 a.m.
The Yizkor Memorial Service will take place at noon. The holiday will conclude that evening with the Neilah closing service and a community break-fast.
Chabad of Toluca Lake is led by Rabbi Moishe Carlebach and his wife, Michal, who serve as director and co-director of the Chabad House.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Rabbi Carlebach comes from a well-known rabbinical family and grew up in a household that helped lead a large Jewish community in South Africa. He received his degree in South Africa and has outreach experience spanning several countries, including Russia and Australia.
Michal, originally from Long Beach, completed her education degree in Israel. Together, the couple has four children and shares a commitment to building an inclusive and supportive Jewish community in Toluca Lake.
“We want to give everyone an opportunity to experience the beauty and warmth of Judaism in a nonjudgmental and unconditional way,” Rabbi Carlebach said. “It is during these tough economic times that people are searching for something meaningful and spiritual. That’s why we are here.”
Through the High Holiday gatherings, Chabad of Toluca Lake hopes to create a space where longtime participants and those attending services for the first time can reflect, celebrate and experience the traditions of the season together.
