Metivta High Holidays 5786/2025

(At Kehillat Ma’arav Synagogue, Santa Monica)

This year, more than ever in our lifetimes, we are tasked with finding hope, strength, and meaning in our venerable tradition and path.

And in keeping with a tradition of 35 years going on 6,000, Metivta (spiritual community) brings you High Holiday services like no other. Steeped in the kavanah (intentionality) of seeking and finding communion with the All That Is, community, and oneself, Metivta’s services draw upon the power of communal chant, prayer, and meditative silence. And interspersed throughout are opportunities for everyone present to come to Torah and to receive from our leaders the deeper wisdoms embedded in it.

We are profoundly grateful to have as our rabbi this year Rabbi Anne Brener, a spiritual teacher and director who has assisted institutions worldwide in creating caring communities, and is the author of the landmark book Mourning and Mitzvah.

Rabbi Anne is joined by Cantor Marc Bachrach, prayer and chant leader Evelyn Baran, and spiritual teachers Lyle Poncher, Marilyn Zweifach, Miri Koral, and others.

We are inviting you to join us on a 10-day holy journey starting Rosh Hashana (Sept. 22) and ending with the final prayers of Yom Kippur (Oct 2), a journey with the kavanah of greater alignment with Source.

We can't cry only over our own broken hearts; we have to be with YHVH in crying over the world.-- Reb Jonathan Omer-Man, Metivta Founder

High Holiday Services Pricing: (Please note exact times may change slightly).

Makhzors will be provided.

Rosh Hashana Day 1 (September 23, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM: $100

Rosh Hashana Day 2 (September 24, 10 AM – 2:00PM: $100

Erev Yom Kippur/ Kol Nidre (October 1, 6:30 PM – 9 PM): $100

Yom Kippur (October 2, Morning, Afternoon, and Evening 9:30 AM– 7 PM): $125

Attendance at all High Holiday services: $400

Catered Yom Kippur Break-Fast $36 (not included with service ticket)

While we encourage you to attend in person if you are able, remote attendance via Zoom is available for the same pricing as listed above.

Won’t you join us on this sacred communal, hope-affirming journey?

(subject to minor changes)

Rosh Hashana Day 1 (September 23, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Rosh Hashana Day 2 (September 24, 10 AM – 2:00PM

Erev Yom Kippur/ Kol Nidre (October 1, 6:30 PM – 9 PM)

Yom Kippur (October 2, Morning, Afternoon, and Evening 9:30 AM– 7 PM)

• Yom Kippur Morning 9:30am — 1 pm

• Guided Meditation with Lyle Poncher 4:30p
• 5:15 Yom Kippur afternoon services begin
• 5:30 Yizkor and Healing service
• Ne'ila service 6:30
• Shofar and Havdalah at 7:00pm

is a Los Angeles-based adult, egalitarian, non-denominational Jewish community founded over thirty years ago by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man. Metivta is a unique place for anyone interested in learning Jewish meditation, studying Jewish texts, and practicing the teachings that are at the heart of these disciplines. Our focus is on contemplative study and practice within the Jewish tradition. Metivta is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

Host or Publisher Metivta: A Center For Contemplative Judaism