(Courtesy of Chabad of Teaneck) With years of experience organizing shofar-blowing services on Rosh Hashanah to local hospitals and nursing homes, the Teaneck Chabad House has adapted its model for the Jewish New Year of 5781, using COVID-19 safety precautions.

With the High Holidays approaching and COVID-19 creating difficulties for many in joining a traditional synagogue service, the Teaneck Chabad House will hold outdoor Rosh Hashanah [shofar] services on Shabbat, September 19, and on Sunday, September 20, at several contiguous backyards near the Cedar Lane and Garrison areas. Services are open and free to all, no membership required.

The Sunday service, which will include prayers for the wellbeing of all humanity – a key theme of Rosh Hashanah – will also be centered around hearing the sound of the shofar, the central observance of the holiday.

“Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry, and to encourage each and every Jewish person to actively participate in the observances of Rosh Hashanah,” said Rabbi Ephraim Simon, co-director of Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County. “This year, that means bringing a Rosh Hashanah service to a location where people can safely participate and making it free of charge as many in our community are hurting financially now.”

To ensure the wellbeing of participants, those present at the event will be asked to wear masks, and stay six feet away from people not living in the same household.

Due to space constraints one must register for the service here: www.chabadhouse.com/hhreservations. Services are at no cost, but registration is a must this year.

For those unable to leave their home due to COVID-19 or any other reason, Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County will be arranging for shofar blowers to go house to house to every individual in need to fulfill this special mitzvah. To request a visit on Sunday, September 20, please visit www.chabadhouse.com/shofar.