Rosh Hashanah 2026: Services, dinners + more in the Birmingham area

Rosh Hashanah 5787, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 and runs through nightfall Sunday, Sept. 13. Since the first day falls on Shabbat this year, several Birmingham-area congregations are shifting their shofar blowing and Tashlich (a ceremony casting away the past year’s sins near water) to Sunday instead of Saturday.

Here’s where to celebrate around Birmingham, organized by day.

Shanah tovah, Birmingham — wishing you a good and sweet new year!

Erev Rosh Hashanah services — Friday, Sept. 11

Chabad of Alabama

• Services: 6:15PM
• Candle lighting: 6:41PM
• Rosh Hashanah Community Dinner: 7PM, RSVP required, $36 per adult, $18 per child, $120 max per family
• 3040 Overton Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
• chabadofalabama.com | 205-970-0100 | Facebook | Instagram
• RSVP for the Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Knesseth Israel Congregation

• Annulment of Vows: 5:45PM
• Candle lighting: 6:40PM
• Mincha/Maariv: 6:40PM
• Candle lighting: 6:41PM
• 3793 Crosby Dr., Mountain Brook, AL 35223
• kicong.org | 205-969-5913 | Facebook

Temple Beth-El

• Erev Rosh Hashanah service
• Registration required for all High Holidays services this year in lieu of physical tickets
• 2179 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205
• templebeth-el.net | 205-933-2740 | Facebook | Instagram
• Register for High Holidays services

Temple Emanu-El

• Erev Rosh Hashanah Service: 7:30PM in the Sanctuary
• ourtemple.org | 205-933-8037 | Facebook | Instagram
• More info in the Temple Emanu-El bulletin

Beth Hallel Birmingham (Messianic Jewish congregation)

• Service: 7PM
• 2230 Sumpter Street, Birmingham, AL 35226
• ShalomBirmingham.com | 205-822-2510 | Facebook

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 — Saturday, Sept. 12

Chabad of Alabama

• Services: 9:30AM
• Babysitting: 10AM-2PM
• Kids Davening Program: 11:30AM-12:30PM
• Torah Reading: 11AM
• Rabbi’s Message: 11:45AM
• Musaf: 12:15PM (no shofar today, since it’s Shabbat)
• Kiddush Luncheon: 1:15PM
• Holiday Evening Services: 6:45PM
• Candle lighting after 7:34PM

Knesseth Israel Congregation

• Shacharit: 8AM
• Services run 8AM-9PM (no shofar today, since it’s Shabbat)
• Lunch: 1:30PM
• Mincha anytime after 1:15PM
• Second Night Maariv: 7:45PM
• Candle lighting after 7:35PM

Temple Beth-El

• Rosh Hashanah Day 1 service
• Childcare available 8AM-1:30PM (complimentary, registration required)
• Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Lunch (donation appreciated)
• Tashlich at Homewood Park
• Register for High Holidays services

Temple Emanu-El

• Rosh Hashanah Tot Service: 9AM in Hess Chapel
• Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10AM in the Sanctuary
• Rosh Hashanah Ruach Service: 10AM in Hess Chapel
• Babysitting (4 and under) and K-3rd grade activities: 10AM-noon
• Tashlich at the Birmingham Zoo: 3PM

Beth Hallel Birmingham (Messianic Jewish congregation)

• Tashlich, Creekside at Rabbi’s Yard: 10:30AM
• Yom Rosh HaShanah Day Service: 11AM
• Reception/Oneg in Solomon Hall follows the service

Rosh Hashanah Day 2 — Sunday, Sept. 13

Chabad of Alabama

• Services: 9:30AM
• Babysitting: 10AM-2PM
• Torah Reading: 11AM
• Rabbi’s Message: 11:45AM
• Shofar: noon
• Musaf: 12:30PM
• Kids Davening Program: 11:30AM-12:30PM
• Kiddush Luncheon: 1:15PM
• Mincha/Tashlich: 6:30PM
• Shabbat/Holiday Services: 7:30PM
• Holiday ends: 7:33PM

Knesseth Israel Congregation

• Shacharit: 8AM
• Services run 8AM-3PM
• Shofar: 10:30AM
• Lunch: 1:30PM
• Tashlich follows lunch
• Havdalah: 7:34PM

Temple Beth-El

• Rosh Hashanah Day 2 service
• Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Cold Buffet (donation appreciated)

Temple Emanu-El

• “Love Pray Eat” Rosh Hashanah Service: 10AM in Hess Chapel
• Kever Avot/Congregational Memorial Service: 1:15PM at Northside Cemetery, 2PM at Elmwood Cemetery