Celebrate the Jewish New Year with one of Vermont’s favorite High Holiday traditions! Join the Ohavi Zedek community and friends at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Burlington’s waterfront for a joyful, interactive gathering designed especially with children and families in mind—while offering a meaningful experience that people of every age enjoy.

This year’s celebration features special musical guest Joanie Leeds, an award-winning singer-songwriter and one of the country’s most beloved Jewish children’s musicians. Whether you’re a family with young children, grandparents sharing traditions with grandchildren, or simply looking for a joyful and welcoming way to experience the High Holy Days, you’ll find a place here. No prior Jewish knowledge is needed—just come as you are. Jewish? Jewish-adjacent? Curious? We’d love to welcome you.

Together we’ll sing with Joanie, share stories, hear the sound of the shofar—an ancient instrument, traditionally made from a ram’s horn, whose stirring blasts have inspired generations of Jews to awaken their hearts, embrace renewal, and begin the new year with purpose. We’ll enjoy the sweetness of apples dipped in honey as we wish one another a sweet new year, hear reflections from our clergy, and celebrate together in a warm and welcoming community.

Following the gathering, we’ll walk together to the waterfront for Tashlich (pronounced tash-LEEKH), a beloved Rosh Hashanah tradition in which we symbolically cast away the burdens of the past year as we begin the new one with hope and intention.

Register for Rosh Hashanah by the Lake

This event is sponsored in part by Jewish Communities of Vermont.