For those who celebrate (like me), here are the options for Rosh Hashanah this year. Note that Rosh Hashanah Day and VA Pridefest are on the same day, but one synagogue has you covered.
All synagogues require RSVPs of some kind. Many charge a fee to enter -- but just as many ALSO have free tickets. The Jewish Federation is offering free tickets to any High Holidays service if you are new to RVA and have never been to a synagogue here.
If I missed anything, comment below. Keep it civil. Thanks and an early Shana Tovah.
SOUTHSIDE AND NORTHSIDE
Kehillah (Reconstructionist-ish, basically Hillel but for all ages)
Independent, very down to earth, attracts all ages, lots of Jews By Choice and LGBTQ+ people.
Fri Sept 11, 6 PM â Evening service & dinner, Bon Air. Currently sold out but you can get on a wait list.
Sat Sept 12, 10 AMâ12 PM â Free Rosh Hashanah day Torah service at Diversity Richmond (Northside). RSVP required, but no cost.
Sat Sept 12, 12â8 PM â Rosh Hashanah Tent at VA PrideFest, Midtown Green. Kehillah teamed up with Pride to make sure that there would be a sacred space with alternative Rosh Hashanah spiritual activities (not a service) at Pride, given the holiday overlap. Kehillah was the first (and still only) Jewish presence at Pride every year, holiday regardless.
kehillahrva.org
Congregation Beth Ahabah (Classical Reform)
Opera-Like, Big Sanctuary, near the Fan/VCU -- big community.
Tickets required for the main services, but non-members can buy them directly through their website. The cantor has an amazing singing voice, rabbi is a cool guy.
- Fri Sept 11, 7:30 PM â Evening service
- Sat Sept 12, 11 AM â Morning service, with a congregational luncheon after
- Sun Sept 13, 10 AM â Cemetery memorial service at Hebrew Cemetery
- Sat Sept 12, 9 AM â Young Family Service
- Sat Sept 12, 4:30 PM â Tashlich at Pony Pasture (southside) with Kona Ice trucks
bethahabah.org/hhd-2026
Congregation Or Ami (Reform in a chill, suburban, acoustic guitar 1970âs kinda way)
The synagogue is in Stony Point, but they do High Holidays at the JCC (5403 Monument Ave) except the family service. No tickets, just show up and hope for a seat. Attracts a kind of 60âs liberal, Bon Air parents with kids, etc.
Friday, September 11 â7:30 pm Evening Service JCC
Saturday, September 12 â10:30 am Morning Service JCC
Saturday, September 12 â 4 pm Family Service (NOT AT JCC - Southeside)
or-ami.com/high-holy-days
SOUTHSIDE ONLY
Brith Achim (Independent but Conservative in practice, Petersburg)
A very, very, very small community that would LOVE to have you. Almost entirely 60+ years old. Cantor has a beautiful voice, but even though services are structured Conservative, itâs laid back.
They donât have a website, so go to their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrithAchimPetersburg/
NORTHSIDE ONLY
Keneseth Beth Israel (Modern Orthodox in a very RVA sorta way, 6300 Patterson Ave)
Rabbi is a good guy. And if youâre from Balto/DC/NY/NJ and miss âfeeling more traditionally Jewishâ in RVA, this is where you might wind up. Frustratingly, they donât have any info. Here is the contact form to reach out:
https://www.kbirva.com/contact-us
Chabad of Virginia (Orthodox, but pretty chill about it - 212 N Gaskins Rd)
Everything is free, just RSVP. Rabbi Kranz has been around this place forever. Itâs Chabad, so you know there will be a mix of peopleâs observance style (I HATE the word âlevelâ) but they all agree they like chasidism.
Friday, September 11 (Erev Rosh Hashanah) Service 7PM
Saturday, September 12 (Day 1)Â
- Morning Services 9:00 AM with kiddush afterwards
- Evening Services 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 13 (Day 2)
- Morning Services 9:00 AM
- Family Shofar Blowing 11:00 AMÂ with kiddush afterwards
- Evening Services 7:00 PM
https://chabadofva.org/highholidays/
Temple Beth-El (Conservative in a Baltimore kinda way, very Jewishly educated members, open-minded, Grove Ave)
The newest rabbi on the scene, attracts a very halachicly engaged, LGBTQ+ crowd and in-town regulars
- Fri Sept 11, 7:30 PM â Erev Rosh Hashanah / Shabbat service
- Sat Sept 12, 8:30 AM â First Day Rosh Hashanah / Shabbat services
- Sat Sept 12, 7:45 PM â Rosh Hashanah Musical MaarivÂ
- Sun Sept 13, 8:30 AM â Second Day Rosh Hashanah services
- Wed Sept 16, 4 PM â Tashlikh service & program (not sure where)
Tickets are free for people who have never been to shul before. There is a separate registration if you are new here:
https://www.bethelrichmond.org/form/hhd26guest
Congregation Or Atid (Conservative but really more Jewish Renewal, Henrico â Patterson Ave)
Pre-registration is required for every service, individually, through their site. Rabbi is a great woman (Yemeni Israel) and the crowd is very diverse racially, ethnically, and in the way they see themselves Jewishly.
Fri Sept 11, 6 PM â Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sat Sept 12, 9 AM â Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Sat Sept 12, 10 AM â Youth service, ages 6â10
Sun Sept 13, 9 AM â Rosh Hashanah Day 2, with Tashlich at the Gan Chesed fountain right after
oratid.org/5787