Community Jewish organizations will host celebrations related to the upcoming Jewish new year holidays.

“Generally, the Jewish new year is one of the most popular Jewish holidays, and it’s about fresh beginnings,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 1203 W. 19th St.

The Chabad Center, which serves KU and surrounding communities, will offer several services and celebrations around the upcoming holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, he said.

Rosh Hashana, the first of the High Holidays, begins after sundown Wednesday and extends until nightfall Thursday. Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, begins after sundown Oct. 7 and extends until nightfall Oct. 8.

For Rosh Hashana, the Chabad Center will host a service welcoming the new year at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a new year dinner at 7:45 p.m.

On Thursday and Friday, morning services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and the holiday shofar (a festive horn) will be blown at 11 a.m., followed by a holiday lunch.

Also at 3 p.m. Thursday, the center will host a “Tashlich” prayer at Potter Lake, Tiechtel said.

All other services will be at the Burge Union, 1601 Irving Hill Road, and will be free and open to the public.

KU Hillel also has programming scheduled for Rosh Hashana, said Carly Brown, program director for KU Hillel.

An Erev Rosh Hashana (or “Rosh Hashana Eve”) service is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and a Rosh Hashana Shabbat dinner is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Both events are at KU Hillel, 722 N.H.

All the events are free and open to the public.

“It’s for anybody and everybody,” Brown said.

The Chabad Center will also provide services associated with Yom Kippur.

At 6:45 p.m. Oct. 7, the Chabad Center will host evening services, along with morning services at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, including “Yizkor,” remembering the departed, at noon.

At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, the Chabad Center will host a closing service, followed by a buffet to break the day of fasting.

“Our goal is to provide these opportunities for anyone who’s interested,” Tiechtel said.

The Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation, 917 Highland Drive, will also host services and other events.

Rosh Hashana Eve services are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and first day Rosh Hashana services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the LJCC.

A children’s service is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Thursday at Burcham Park, followed by Tashlich services at 2:45 p.m. at the park.

Second day Rosh Hashana services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the LJCC.

The LJCC will also mark Yom Kippur with services at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 and morning services at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, both at the LJCC.