Yom Kippur services

[einzelein.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know of a venue in Somerville that will be holding free Yom Kippur services on Thursday morning? A web search revealed that most of the temples in the Boston area expect a large (as in $200 or more) donation to attend, which is just not going to happen. (Some also say they won't turn you away for lack of funds, but I'm not going to pretend to be poor just to avoid giving an enormous "donation".) I'm not religious but I am choosing to fast this year and would like to attend some type of service, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

Comments

[ron_newman]

Somerville has two Jewish congregations:

Havurat Shalom
Temple B'nai Brith

Click on the "religion" tag, and you'll see recent posts from both congregations. Try both and see which one you like better. I'm a member of Temple B'nai Brith, and we absolutely aren't going to turn people away.

Kahal B'raira in Arlington?

[first-clark.livejournal.com]

It's in Arlington Center, not Somerville. http://www.kahalbraira.org/ sez a donation is requested. I've sung for their services before. Seems a welcoming group.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

I've been to services at Havurat Shalom on College Ave. in the past. They're open to everyone and the services are nice. Their space is actually in a house, so it doesn't feel like a traditional synagogue (some people sit on couches, etc.).

[ron_newman]

And some sit on the floor -- it can get that crowded.

[ludimagist.livejournal.com]

Try Tufts Hillel.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

Here are the links:

Chabad:

http://www.jewishjumbo.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/750109/jewish/Yom-Kippur.htm

Hillel:

http://www.tuftshillel.org/jl-high-holidays2008.htm

[avacon.livejournal.com]

I've been going to the Reformed services at Tufts Hillel for the past 2-3 years and really like them. They don't charge anything, but I'm sure that they wouldn't mind an appropriate donation (although they haven't asked at the door and don't require tickets, unlike MIT Hillel).

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify, Tufts Hillel says the services are free, but only open to the Tufts community. That includes "current students, visiting family and friends, faculty, staff and alumni."

[miraclaire.livejournal.com]

Particularly if you're not terribly religious, you might like http://www.circleboston.org/community/holiday.php?page=17214 -- not in Cambridge or Somerville, but relatively T/Bus accessible.

[einzelein.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

It would be more accurate to say "some sit on chairs -- it can get that crowded". People often sit on the floor during regular weekly services, but on major holidays they have to put in rows of chairs to fit everyone.

[ron_newman]

From looking at the web site, I think that applies more to the lunch and dinner tickets, not so much to the services (which don't require any tickets anyway)

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

Here's what the web site says:

"All Services are free and open to the Tufts community. Tickets are not required to attend services. *Includes current students, visiting family and friends, faculty, staff and alumni." I think the * explains what is meant by Tufts community.