Father blows the shofar with his child
Father blows the shofar with his childIsrael news photo: Flash 90

As Jews around the world prepare for the Rosh HaShanah New Year's holiday, North American families this year will have many more options for places to pray than ever before.

The High Holy Days, as the New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement are called, often are a time for scrambling to ante up for the annual synagogue membership.

Paying for one's synagogue seats can mean added stress after the recession has taken such a large bite out of the family coffers, and often less-than-observant Jews decide to skip the service.

This year, however, quite a number of congregations and Jewish community centers are offering “no-cost” services, or discounted seats for members of the general public. Many advertise in local Jewish newspapers, and some have even taken to issuing public service announcements on the local Jewish radio programs.

The Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidic movement always offers free High Holy Day services at numerous college and university campuses, and in most cities across North America. Locations can be found by clicking here