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Ways to Celebrate and Observe the High Holidays with Your Family 🕍✡️

Places to Observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, 2024 in Conejo Valley-Malibu-Calabasas and nearby 🍯

By Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas September 28, 2024
Man blowing a shofar covered with a tallis High Holidays Rosh Hashanah ~ Yom Kippur by Stellalevi from Getty Images Signature
Image Credit: Stellalevi from Getty Images Signature

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement are part of what's know as the High Holidays or High Holy Days! These are two of the more important holidays observed by Jewish people around the world. Here you will find lots of ways to help your family learn more about, celebrate and observe these most important days. 

Are you in search of options to participate in High Holiday services with your family, including Children's services, Tashlich, Yizkor, and more? Look no further! Explore our comprehensive list of in-person and virtual options in the Conejo Valley, Malibu, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, and nearby communities in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and Ventura Counties.


A little music to get you in the mood 🎶

"Six13 is a groundbreaking, six-man a cappella vocal band that is bringing an unprecedented style and energy to Jewish music, with nothing but the power of the human voice" - From their website.

They take popular music, change up the words and add a Jewish themed twist. If you are not familiar you're in for a sweet treat - pun intended! I enjoy their Jewish holiday songs and video for all the Jewish Holidays every year. Enjoy:


Preparing for the High Holidays

Are you in search of unique ingredients, Jewish delicacies, or holiday essentials? Maybe a beautifully rounded Challah? It's worth noting that we're fortunate to have a local Kosher Market right here. Aside from the Kosher section at your nearby grocery store, many synagogues boast gift shops with a diverse selection of traditional holiday goods. For those seeking fresh, locally sourced produce and specialty items, Farmers Markets are an excellent choice.

Here are a few of my local shopping favorites

  • Conejo Kosher Market: Groceries, baked goods, holiday and household items | 30317 Canwood St, Agoura Hills | (818) 699-6049
  • Agoura Village Bakery and Café:  Challah - including round, breads, honey cake and pastries | 5843 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills | Note: The Bakery moved next to Maral Cuisine and the Cafe has combined with the restaurant | (818) 921-3009
  • Emil's Bake House:  Challah, breads and pastries | 5005 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills | (818) 532-7663
  • J-Home Malibu: A place for spiritual and unique Judaica, home goods and more - shop online or arrange for local pick up in Malibu.
  • Karma Baker: Vegan GF - 100% dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free | The old company Karma Baker in WLV has closed, but Celine, the original Karma Baker is offering a limited menu via her Etsy shop.
  • Shalom House - Fine Judaica since 1971: This has been my favorite go-to shops for Judaica and gifts every since I can remember - shop in-person or online | 19740 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills | (818) 704-7100
  • Shulman Dragon Fruit: Dragon fruit season begins just in time for Rosh Hashanah, what a perfect 'new' fruit for your table, they are delicious and also make great gifts. The orchard is located in Thousand Oak - pick up by appointment, arrange a tour or stop by the Farmers Market on Thursday at The Oaks to pick up this tasty treat. They also offer local delivery and shipping.
  • Farmers Markets: Thursday - The Oaks, Thousand Oaks | Friday - Simi Valley | Saturday - Calabasas | Sunday - Malibu and Westlake Village | This is a great option to find locally made and seasonal items like honey, wine, olive oil and seasonal produce

Local favorites to eat out or pick-up to-go

These are some great local options anytime you're having company, want to treat your family, need platters, catering or specialty baked goods:

You don't have to be Jewish for your family to try and enjoy some tasty recipes, fun crafts or send a Rosh Hashanah greeting to a friend. 


Fisher from Getty Images via Canva

Rosh Hashanah like all Jewish holidays begins at sundown, this year it starts Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and concludes Friday, October 4, 2024 at sunset. Rosh Hashanah is also known as the "Day of Judgment," the "Day of Remembrance," and the "Day of Shofar Blowing." During this two day holiday, Jewish people all over will commemorate the creation of the world! 

Many Jews attend services at Synagogues or Temples where they will pray for a sweet year full of blessings, ask their families and friends for forgiveness for any transgression and hear the blowing of the Shofar - a Ram's Horn. Families all over will not only be attending services together, but many will celebrate afterwards with family and friends by enjoying a meal that often features traditional food such as round challah a special kind bread and apples dipped in honey, representing the wish for a sweet new year.  

Yom Kippur comes ten days after Rosh Hashanah. This year it begins at sundown on Friday, October 11, 2024 concluding at sunset Saturday, October 12, 2024. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” it's the holiest day of the year for Jewish people around the world. It's also a time for reflection to think about anyone one you might have wronged the past year and ask for forgiveness. The focus of the Yom Kippur holiday for many is introspection and connecting to Judaism. Many adults and kids 13 and older will fast for 25 hours, from sundown the eve of Yom Kippur to nightfall the next day, refraining from any food or drink - even water. 

Like Rosh Hashanah many Jews will spend the day in prayer at synagogue or at home. As the sun begins to set many will join together with family and friends to enjoy a special meal together to "break the fast," typically this is a lighter meal but still includes many traditional favorite foods.

There are so many ways for your family to celebrate and observe these sacred days with your kids, each family having their own traditions, customs and special recipes, I've included lots of resources for your family, including options for local in-person and virtual services in Conejo Valley, Malibu, Calabasas and our neighboring communities below.



Rosh Hashana design by tomertu via Canva


Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Resources for your Family:

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Crafts for Kids:


oksun70 from Getty Images via Canva

On Rosh Hashana, and the days that follow, Jews everywhere wish each other a "Sweet New Year" or in Hebrew a, "L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu," which translated is "May you be written in for a good year." It's a time to call or send Rosh Hashanah greetings and wishes via mail or e-mail.
A fun project to do with kids is to create Cards wishing a Happy New Year and send them to family and friends around the globe, some options are hand-made and others are digital for those who prefer to share via email or social media.
Send a Rosh Hashanah New Years Greeting:
Grab some paper and your kids start crafting a card or use some of these ideas: 

Winnie Bruce from Diversifylens via Canva

Family Meal

One of the most joyous parts of the holidays are getting together with family and friends for a meal. Typically the table will have traditional foods such as round Challah sometimes with raisins or for my family Chocolate Chips plus Apples dipped in Honey, as symbol of a sweet New Year. These Holiday time Family meals provide a wonderful opportunity to get together, enjoy each other, reflect on the past year and be optimistic for the upcoming year.

This time of year it's custom to use a Round Challah thru the beginning of the year until Sukkot instead of the traditional Braided Challah. The special Round Challah reminds Jews of the roundness of the year and tells us that the coming year will be full and fruitful, Sweet Raisins are commonly added to the Challah. Carrots in the Yiddish language, are called ‘merren’. This word also means "more" in Yiddish. We want more of all the good things in life: More happiness, more health, and more success! 

Another tradition I recently learned about is to include a fruit that is new for the season that you haven't had yet, often you will see pomegranates during this time. Another amazing suggestion is a dragon fruit, it's both beautiful and delicious. 




Be sure to tell Alik you heard about his dragon fruit from Macaroni KID!


Traditional Recipes to Celebrate the New Year and Break the Fast: 






View this post on Instagram











A post shared by Kveller (@kvellercom)


Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services 5785 / 2024

You'll find there are many choices for your family to attend services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in Conejo Valley, Malibu, Calabasas and nearby communities. In addition to the many options for in-person services there are virtual options available as well if that interests you. I've listed a variety of options for your family below.

Please keep in mind some local Synagogues require tickets for services and some are for temple members only, but will offer a limited number of tickets for sale to non members if they have available space. Also note, some services require pre-registration even if the services are no cost, so please check each location for specifics prior to attending. In addition to traditional holiday services many locations also offer separate children's or family services as well as Yizkor, Shofar and Tashlich services, some offered at no charge.

No matter your family's preference you will find there are lots of options for your family to attend Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services near by the communities of Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Malibu and other neighboring communities in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.


by valentynsemenov via Canva


Please click on the locations below to for complete details prior to attending.

Agoura Hills / Oak Park

Thousand Oaks

Newbury Park
Malibu
Calabasas
Nearby Communities
Pacific Palisades
Santa Monica

Simi Valley

Moorpark

Woodland Hills 

West Hills 

Tarzana

Northridge

Camarillo

Oxnard

Ventura

Ojai

Los Angeles


Virtual - Open to Everyone 🖥️

Use the links below to find dates, times and services offered:




Other notable Jewish holidays this season:

 Publishers Note: This article is updated every year for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 
Tagged under:
Jewish Holidays

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    Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas. Photos of publisher, Brenna and her family many at Disneyland

    Brenna G.

    Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, is a local resource for family fun things to do. Subscribe for free updates, share events, and learn about advertising. Email: brennag@macaronikid.com

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