Chabad Chayil will hold free Rosh Hashanah services at the Aventura Waterways K-8 auditorium in West Aventura starting the evening of Sept. 11.

Rabbi Moishe Kievman, who leads the congregation in the Highland Lakes section of West Aventura, wrote in a column published Sept. 9 in the South Florida Sun-Times that this year's holiday carries an unusual twist. The first day of Rosh Hashanah 5787 falls on Shabbat, Sept. 12. Jewish law holds that the shofar is not sounded when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat.

"One of the most important mitzvot of one of the most important days of the year — and we put the shofar down," Kievman wrote.

Shofar Sounding Moves to Second Day

The congregation will sound the shofar on Sept. 13, the second day of Rosh Hashanah, at 12:15 p.m., according to the Chabad Chayil schedule. For residents who live within walking distance but cannot attend, Chabad Chayil said a shofar blower will come to their home by arrangement.

Full Weekend Schedule of Services

Services run through Sunday evening. The schedule lists evening services at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 11, with candle lighting at 7:11 p.m. Morning services begin at 9 a.m. both Sept. 12 and Sept. 13. A children's program with breakfast starts at 10:30 a.m. each day. Tashlich takes place at 6 p.m. Sunday in a nearby park.

Open to All, No Membership Needed

Open seating is free. No membership or synagogue affiliation is required. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation listed the event as open to all, describing the AWK-8 auditorium as a "huge new space" with room for hundreds. Upgraded reserved seating is also available, and community Rosh Hashanah dinners require advance reservations.

Kievman, who founded Gan Chabad Preschool and several youth programs in the area, also leads The Family Shul. He and Chabad Chayil are also taking orders for Lulav and Etrog sets and reservations for meals through Sukkot.

Yom Kippur Services and Sukkot Ahead

Coming up: Yom Kippur services at the same location begin with Kol Nidrei at 7:10 p.m. Sept. 20 and continue through Sept. 21, with the fast ending at 7:52 p.m. The Chabad Chayil Sukkah will be open to the public throughout Sukkot.

Residents can register or view the full schedule at ChabadChayil.org/High-Holidays or call 305-770-1919.