JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS – TEMPLE OF THE ARTS AT THE SABAN THEATRE
By Amalisha HuEck
Jewish High Holy Days ROSH HASHANAH were celebrated on September 11, 2026, at the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre. The Jewish New Year 5787 was also the 25th Anniversary of the loss of 2,983 lives from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, New York, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and in a rural field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania near Shanksville which coincided with the beginning of Jewish New Year. The Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre is the largest arts and entertainment synagogue in the United States and owns the historic Saban Theatre located at 8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Rabbi David Baron invited Jill Pila, widow of 9/11 World Trade Center Victim Jim Gartenberg and her daughter Nicole Gartenberg Pila…who was just two and a half years old at the time of the attack, to be special guests.
Pila talked about her husband and his selfless and heroic final words that he said to her, and to the media, spoken just moments before he was murdered. Jim’s last words still echo through Pila’s head, ‘There is a fire on my floor, we are kind of trapped, but I’ll be OK… We should stay calm, everything is under control, and I Love You.’
Pila continued, “Jim’s courage, love and concern for others in those final moments are a profound part of his legacy. It is so important that we continue to tell these stories and perpetuate the legacies of all 2,983 innocent lives lost on that day 25 years ago. Each person has a story, a family, a community. By remembering them and sharing these stories, we ensure that they are not reduced to a number. Their lives – and the impact they had on those who loved them – continue to live on. Young people today have no memory of that horrific, tragic event that changed all our lives and the way we live our lives today.”
The lighting of candles during the service symbolically signified bringing light into dark places, asking for the blessings in the upcoming new year, being optimistic, praying on one of the signature prayers, “SHALOM,” and going forward.
The compelling services featuring the singing of Canton Ilysia J. Pierce and Hazzan Nathan Lam was so enjoyable … their beautiful vocal cords carried the notes with ease, dedication and love. They were felt, enjoyed by everyone and so appreciated. That goes for the orchestra members as well.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar; it is a day of forgiveness, prayer and fasting for Jewish people around the world and was held on Monday, September 21, 2026. Rabbi David Baron led discussions with his High Holy Day Special Guests: Steve Emerson, a Counterterrorism Expert; Natalie Sanandaji, a 2023 Nova Music Festival Survivor; Montana Tucker, a singer, dancer and social media influencer who uses her social media platform to fight Anti-Semitism and Jonny Daniels, Founder of the From The Depths Foundation who talked about a new film he stars in called, “The Righteous Road Trip” which is about extraordinary individuals who risked their lives to secretly save Jews during the Holocaust.
The Rosh Hashanah creative services on September 11th and 12th and the Yom Kippur creative services on September 20th and 21st featured Broadway performer, Cantor Ilysia J. Pierce and renowned cantor and voice teacher, Hazzan Nathan Lam. Service Readers/Performers include Mary Hart (Former Host of Entertainment Tonight), Dr. Judea Pearl (Father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl), Mike Burstyn (Renowned Israeli Film and Broadway Actor), Daphna Edwards Ziman (President of Cinémoi Television Network), Bernard Hiller (Renowned Acting Teacher and Author), and Howard Fine (Renowned Acting Teacher).
At the musical helm of the temple were Music Director, Grammy Award-winning Composer, Four-Time Emmy Award-nominated Composer, ASCAP Board Member, Member of the Executive Committee of the Music Branches of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science and the Television Academy and Former Vice President of the Alliance of Women Film Composers, Sharon Farber. Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services this year featured a 12-member choir composed of singers from Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and four instrumentalists. New Choir and Instrumentalists this year included Kimberly Switzer, Mezzo-Soprano, Matthew Brown, Tenor, Ben Han-Wei Lan, Bass, Tal Vaknine, Harp and Darren Liou, Clarinet.
Given the current surge of Anti-Semitism around the world, there was a lot of security at the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre to keep worshipers safe during the High Holy Day services.
Rabbi David Baron, with his ability to put his heart into everything he is saying and doing, with a firm, and at the same time gentle hand led everyone through it all, and on such a profound way gives strength to be worthy of experiencing a new year of goodness, blessing, health, peace, and healing.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
For more information about the temple, call the office at 323-658-9100
Twitter @templeofthearts
You can network with them on www.facebook.com/templeofthearts http://www.facebook.com/templeofthearts
https://www.google.com/maps/search/8440+Wilshire+Boulevard?entry=gmail&source=gn