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High Holy Days

19 Selichot Services Planned at Western Wall

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has completed preparations to host hundreds of thousands of worshippers during the penitential prayer season, with services featuring chazanim and large screens beginning this Saturday night

Slichot at the Western Wall

As the Hebrew month of Elul begins, traditionally a time of repentance and penitential prayers, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation has completed preparations to welcome hundreds of thousands of worshippers expected at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem.

In response to high public demand, organizers will hold 19 major Selichot services throughout the season. Each will feature a cantor leading prayers, amplified sound systems, and large video screens positioned around the plaza to help distribute crowds and enable all attendees to participate fully in the services, which will continue through the High Holy Days period.

All services will be broadcast live on the foundation's website and social media platforms for those unable to attend in person. Throughout the prayer gatherings, thousands of worshippers will offer prayers for the safety of Israel Defense Forces soldiers and security personnel, as well as for unity and security across Israel.

The opening service is scheduled for this coming Saturday night, corresponding to the 2nd of Elul in the Hebrew calendar (August 15), beginning at 12:15 a.m. The Selichot services will continue throughout Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The culminating service will take place on Saturday night, the 8th of Tishrei (September 19), on the eve of Yom Kippur.

The complete schedule of major organized Selichot services at the Western Wall plaza is as follows:

Saturday night, 2nd Elul (August 15)

Thursday, 7th Elul (August 20)

Saturday night, 9th Elul (August 22)

Thursday, 14th Elul (August 27)

Saturday night, 16th Elul (August 29)

Tuesday, 19th Elul (September 1)

Wednesday, 20th Elul (September 2)

Thursday, 21st Elul (September 3)

Saturday night, 23rd Elul (September 5)

Sunday, 24th Elul (September 6)

Monday, 25th Elul (September 7)

Tuesday, 26th Elul (September 8)

Wednesday, 27th Elul (September 9)

Thursday, 28th Elul (September 10) – Eve of Rosh Hashanah, with Hatarat Nedarim (annulment of vows) at midnight

Monday, 3rd Tishrei (September 14) – Following the Fast of Gedaliah

Tuesday, 4th Tishrei (September 15)

Wednesday, 5th Tishrei (September 16)

Thursday, 6th Tishrei (September 17)

Main service – Saturday night, 8th Tishrei (September 19) – Eve of Yom Kippur, with Hatarat Nedarim at midnight

Organizers note that this year, all Selichot services will be dedicated to prayers for Israeli unity and security, with participation from IDF soldiers and security forces.

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