Upcoming Events
High Holidays 2025
Here's a list of some local synagogues that will have High Holiday services.
Orthodox: Chabad Student Center of Pasadena
For more details and to RSVP view their website or the Chabad at Caltech club website.Rosh Hashanah Schedule:
Rosh Hashanah Eve on Monday, September 22
7:00 pm Evening Service
7:30 pm traditional Rosh Hashanah Dinner
1st day of Rosh Hashanah on Tuesday, September 23
5:00 pm Shofar blowing and Rosh Hashanah service followed by Tashlich at the Caltech turtle pond
7:45 pm traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner
Yom Kippur Schedule: Yom Kippur Eve on Wednesday, October 1
5:00 pm Pre fast meal
6:00 pm Kol Nidrei service
Yom Kippur Day on Thursday, October 2
5:15 pm Mincha service
6:15 pm Neilah closing service followed by a deluxe break-fast
Conservative: Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC) are generously extending their hospitality to any Jewish students at Caltech seeking a synagogue to attend for services. Although their campus was destroyed during the Eaton fire, PJTC will still be hosting services, both on Caltech's campus (Beckman Auditorium) and at Temple Beth David.
Their Rosh Hashanah services on Monday evening, September 22, at 7:30 pm at the Beckman Auditorium on the Caltech Campus, 332 S Michigan Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106. Services on September 23 begin at 9:00 am. Second Day Rosh Hashanah services will be at Temple Beth David (led by PJTC clergy), 9677 Longden Ave, Temple City, CA 91780, at 9 am. Kol Nidre services begin on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:30 pm, and Yom Kippur Day services start on Thursday, October 2, at 9:00 am — both at Beckman Auditorium.
Students wishing to obtain free tickets should make a reservation at https://www.pjtc.net/form/hhd-5786 and select the student ticket option. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Temple office at (626) 798-1161 or [email protected].
Conservative/Egalitarian: Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock
Formerly a Conservative synagogue but technically unaffiliated and egalitarian, TBI has been very welcoming of Caltech students, and they will be hosting services for the High Holidays. The synagogue is right off the gold line - those interested in attending can probably arrange to carpool or take public transit together. Find more information about their events/services and tickets here: https://www.tbila.org/form/hh5786-ticketsDepending on the level of interest, we can look into getting tickets fully or partially refunded through club funds or can reach out to TBI about whether there are discounts possible for group student tickets. If this is of interest to you, please let us know ASAP by emailing [email protected].
Reform: Temple Beth David in San Gabriel Valley
Temple Beth David is (apparently) the only Reform Temple in the San Gabriel Valley. Last year, Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld said the synagogue would be delighted to have students join them for services, and I'm sure they'd be equally welcoming this year. He said that anyone who is interested in or has any questions about anything Jewish can feel free to email him at [email protected] or call/text him directly on his mobile phone, 818-486-9685.
Passover, 2025
1st Seder: Saturday, April 12, 8:15PM2nd Seder: Sunday, April 13, 8:15PMWhere: Chabad Student Center at 430 S. Hill Avenue, PasadenaRSVP: Please visit www.chabadscp.com to RSVP by Thursday, April 10Join the Chabad at Caltech and Caltech Hillel student clubs for community Passover Seders on the 1st and 2nd nights of Passover. Enjoy traditional, meaningful and interactive Seders with a warm and inviting atmosphere and gourmet Passover food. Feel free to come to one or both Seders.
Sukkah Exhibit at the Skirball Museum
When: Sunday, October 20, 2024, time TBDThe Skirball Cultural Center, a local Jewish museum in LA, is building an amazing Sukkah installation. For more info please visit https://www.skirball.org/museum/sukkah-project-force-majeure. Here are couple snippets from the description: "This year's sukkah, by multidisciplinary artist Jonathan York, combines a monumental burnt wood sculpture with a living garden of more than 200 plants, symbolizing renewal and rebirth after a tumultuous year of conflict. Enhancing the visual experience of moving through the sukkah is a multi-channel soundscape recorded by York in Israel during the Israel-Hamas War, designed to transport visitors to Israel's forests, streams, deserts, and beaches. "The sukkah will activate all of the senses—beginning with the sight of 6,000 pounds of wood, hand burned by the artist. The sukkah also incudes wood recovered by York from destroyed homes in Kibbutz Beeri. From various corners of the exhibition space, visitors will be enveloped by the sounds of nature—the waters of the Jordan River, honeybees of Galilee, and the wind of Negev." Plan is to go on Sunday, October 20. All those interested will carpool together! RSVP ASAP!
Nova Exhibition & Dinner
When: Afternoon of Sunday, October 6, 2024This is an extremely moving, powerful experience. Not an easy visit, but as the 1-year anniversary of October 7th approaches, it will be on our minds, and it will be a meaningful way to pay tribute to the lives taken on that day. For more information, please visit https://www.novaexhibition.comThe plan is to go the afternoon of Sunday, October 6, and we can go grab dinner somewhere together afterwards before heading back to Pasadena. All expenses will be covered by the club. If you are interested, PLEASE RSVP BY SUNDAY EVENING 9/29.
Welcome Shabbat on Friday, September 27, 2024
Time: 7PMWhere: Chabad Student Center at 430 S. Hill Avenue, PasadenaRSVP: Please text Sheva at 347-225-4048 to RSVP by Thursday 9/26/24.Join the Chabad at Caltech and Caltech Hillel student clubs for a community Shabbat dinner and meet the Caltech Jewish community before the school year starts. Enjoy a delicious 4 course meal while making new friends. Feel free to come late or leave early.