STAR-BULLETIN / OCTOBER 2005 Mendy Goldstein blows a ram's horn called a shofar as part of the preparation at Daniel Levey Chabad Hebrew School for the Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashana. Once used as a means to alert others during times of crisis, the shofar is now used symbolically during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

Jewish New Year’s season begins

Jewish congregations in Hawaii and around the world will begin their New Year's observance Friday evening. Rosh Hashana begins a 10-day period of prayers and fasting in which Jews affirm their relationship with God as described in the Torah. The period known as the Days of Awe ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Temple Emanu-El will begin today with Selichot, preparation for the solemn season, using a recent movie as a guide to contemplate people's search for spiritual fulfillment. The movie "Bee Season," starring Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche, will be shown at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion of its themes. The Selichot service will begin at 9:30 p.m.

The High Holidays schedule:

Temple Emanu-El
2550 Pali Highway, 595-7521. Rabbi Peter Schaktman will preside.
Friday -- 6:45 p.m. Traditional service; 7:30 p.m. Reform service
Saturday -- 9 a.m. Traditional service; 9:30 a.m. Reform service; 2 p.m. children's service; 4 p.m. Tashlich at Magic Island
Oct. 1, Kol Nidre -- 6:30 p.m. Traditional service; 7 p.m. Reform service
Oct. 2, Yom Kippur -- 9 a.m. Traditional service; 9:30 a.m. Reform morning service; 2 p.m. children's service; 3 p.m. Reform afternoon service; 5 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. A break-the-fast meal will follow.

Congregation Sof Ma'arav
2500 Pali Highway, 595-3678. Members of the Conservative congregation lead services. Child care is provided.
Friday -- 8 p.m.
Next Saturday -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sept. 24 -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sept. 30 -- 10 a.m. Shabbat Shuvah
Oct. 1 -- 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre
Oct. 2 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yom Kippur; 5 to 7 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah. A break-the-fast potluck meal will follow.

Chabad of Hawaii
Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive, 735-8161. Rabbi Itchel Krasnjansky will lead services. Reservations are required for communal meals following services Friday and next Saturday. The cost is $40 for adults and $30 for children, with kamaaina rates available.
Friday -- 6 p.m. Mincha followed by evening service
Next Saturday -- 10 a.m. Rosh Hashana; 7:30 p.m. evening service
Sept. 24 -- 10 a.m. Rosh Hashana; 11 a.m. children's service
Oct. 1 -- 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre
Oct. 2 -- 10 a.m. morning service; 11:30 a.m. children's service; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor; 5:45 p.m. Neilah. A break-the-fast meal will begin at 7:15 p.m.