Celebrate High Holidays with Lev!
The Lev Experience High Holidays is for Jews from all different backgrounds looking to experience these special days with greater connection and joy.
Once again, our 2026 High Holiday experience begins with a traditional melody-filled prayer service (Orthodox-style with men and women sitting separately) with many explanations by Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum. Following that, participants can choose to remain in the traditional service or continue with explanatory prayers and classes with Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah. See full schedule below.
Rosh Hashana: Friday evening, September 11th- Sunday, September 13th
Yom Kippur: Sunday evening, September 20th- Monday, September 21st
High Holidays Info
Schedule for Rosh Hashana 2026
*A star indicates that this part of the service is traditional (Orthodox style) and will have separate sides of the room for men and women
Erev Rosh Hashanah- Friday, September 11th
7 pm: Candle Lighting and Explanatory Services*
Rosh Hashanah Day 1- Saturday, September 12th
9:30 am: Hamelech/Morning Service Begins*
10:00 am: Rabbi Shlomo’s Introductory Remarks (followed by the Amidah)*
10:45 am: Multi-Track
- Traditional Morning Service (Part 2) and Torah Reading *
- Explanatory Prayer Track Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah
11:30: Sermon
12:00 pm:
- Traditional Mussaf*
- Class with Devorah Buxbaum
Rosh Hashanah Second Night- Saturday, September 12th
5:45 pm: Women’s Circle
6:50 pm: Evening Services
Rosh Hashanah Day 2- Sunday, September 13th
9:30 am: Hamelech/Morning Service Begins*
10:00 am: Rabbi Shlomo’s Introductory Remarks (followed by the Amidah)*
10:45 am: Multi-Track
- Traditional Service (Part 2) and Torah Reading*
- Class with Devorah Buxbaum
11:30: Sermon and Shofar
12:00 pm: Explanatory Traditional Mussaf*
4:30 pm: Young Family Program
Schedule for Yom Kippur 2026
Yom Kippur Eve- Sunday, September 20th, 2026
*A star indicates that this part of the service is “traditional” (i.e. Orthodox-style with explanations) and will have separate sides of the room for men and women
6:50 pm– Candle Lighting Ceremony Led by Devorah Buxbaum
7:00 pm– Kol Nidre Service*
7:45 pm– Explanatory Maariv Evening Service (approx. 45 minutes long)
Yom Kippur Day- Monday, September 21st, 2026
9:30 am: Hamelech/Morning Service Begins*
10:00 am: Rabbi Shlomo’s Introductory Remarks (followed by the Amidah)*
10:45 am: Multi-Track
- Traditional Service (Part 2)*
- Explanatory Prayer Track Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah
11:30 am: Reflections and Yizkor
12:00 pm: Multi-Track
- Torah Reading*
- Class with Devorah Buxbaum
12:45 pm: Class
12:30- 2:30 pm: Guided Traditional Mussaf Service*
5:15 pm: Traditional Mincha Service*
6:30 pm: Neila Service* Led by Rabbi Shlomo
7:47 pm: End of Yom Kippur; Light Break-the-fast
FAQs- Is Lev High Holidays the right place for me?
Who is this program geared for?
Lev High Holidays is for the individual who enjoys learning, singing, and an intimate community feel.
Do I need to be a Lev member?
No prior attendance to a Lev program is necessary and there are no “Lev members”. We do hope, however, that you will enjoy High Holidays so much, you will be excited to join us throughout the year!
Is the program Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or something else?
Our participants are a mix of Jews from all backgrounds. Services are run according to Orthodox tradition in accordance with Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah’s background. This means that men and women are seated separately for part of the service. There are breakout sessions throughout the service where spouses, children, and friends can sit together.
Are the services user-friendly?
At Lev, we try to make sure that everyone knows what’s going on and can participate. We frequently announce page numbers and Rabbi Buxbaum offers plenty of explanations throughout the entire program.
What is being offered for children and teens?
There is a playroom with toys, games, and supervised play for young children throughout the entire services. The services are meant to be user-friendly for teens, with explanations and lively discussions with Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Buxbaum. There is also a breakout discussion for teens during the adult classes.
Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Buxbaum with any additional questions!
What is the cost?
A full ticket for adults is $200 for RH and YK. (We do not offer a YK only option).
There is a special rate for young professionals under 30 years of age of $150 for RH and YK.
Children under 18 are $125. There will be a playroom with supervised play for the younger children. There is also a teen breakout session.
There is a special “drop-in price” of $100 for those who are attending services elsewhere but would like to join for some classes or second day RH only.
If any of the costs above are prohibitive, please feel free to reach out to us at info@levx.org.
The Hotel
This year Services will be held at the Double Tree Hotel in Gaithersburg. The address is: 620 Perry Parkway,Gaithersburg, MD 20877
The Buxbaum family and several members of our Lev community will be staying at the hotel. There is a special LEV discount for those who would like to take hotel rooms.
Here is a link to book rooms:
Double Tree for Rosh Hashanah: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/gaigwdt-lev-b377845d-d459-4bcc-a712-d2085fa4e19f/
Double Tree for Yom Kippur:
Help Support Our Mission
The Lev Experience is listed by the IRS as an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.