At Agudas Israel, our services are designed to welcome, uplift, and connect—whether you join us for weekly Shabbat gatherings or for the richness of our Jewish holiday celebrations. From accessible, varied Friday night services and engaging Torah study to meaningful observances of the High Holy Days, Chanukkah, Purim, Passover, and more, each experience creates space for prayer, learning, and community. We invite you to explore the many ways we come together throughout the year and look forward to celebrating with you.
Our Services
Shabbat
We welcome everyone to join us for Friday evening Shabbat services at Agudas Israel Congregation. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to our community, we look forward to greeting you. First-time visitors are invited to fill out our visitor log so we can stay connected.
Our Shabbat Worship Experience
While we use Mishkan T’filah as our primary siddur, our services often adapt based on current events, special observances, or guest speakers. Our sanctuary features a projection system that displays prayers and readings, making services more accessible for those unfamiliar with the siddur or who prefer not to hold a book.
We aim to create a meaningful, comfortable, and inclusive worship experience for all.
Friday Evening Shabbat Services
We gather every Friday evening to welcome Shabbat. Our alternating schedule makes it easy for those who prefer an early Shabbat dinner—and those arriving after work—to participate fully.
Weeks 1 & 2 of the month: Services begin at 5:30 p.m.
Weeks 3 & 4 of the month: Services begin at 7:30 p.m.
If there is a fifth Friday in the month, the service is at 5:30PM
Following each service, we gather in our social hall for “sip and schmooze” with kiddush, challah, and warm conversation.
Saturday Morning Torah Study & Services
1st Shabbat Morning -Torah Study Only 10:30AM - 12:00 PM
2nd Shabbat Morning - 'Half and Half Torah study and prayer highlights with Torah reading (Board Room) 10:30AM - 12:00 PM
3rd Shabbat Morning -Torah Study Only Only AM - 12:00 PM
4th Shabbat Morning - Full Torah Service in Sanctuary 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Please check the Agudas Israel calendar for specific dates and any schedule updates.
High Holy Days
The High Holy Days are a sacred time for reflection, prayer, and renewal. We welcome you to join Agudas Israel Congregation in Hendersonville as we observe Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah with meaningful and engaging services tailored to our diverse community.
Selichot: Preparing for the Days of Awe
Our High Holy Days season begins with Selichot, an intimate service featuring reflective texts, music, and the traditional changing of the Torah covers to white—symbolizing the start of a new year. This powerful moment helps us begin the process of teshuvah, turning toward the people we aspire to become.
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services
Join us for uplifting and spiritually rich Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Together we explore prayer, music, learning, and self-reflection as we enter the new year as a community.
High Holy Day Tickets
For Members
Members automatically receive tickets for their household. Additional tickets for relatives and guests are available at a discounted rate. Members in good standing may request reciprocal tickets to another URJ congregation. Contact our office for assistance.
For Non-Members
If you are not yet a member, you are warmly invited to purchase High Holy Day tickets. Should you choose to join our congregation within one month after the holidays, we will apply the full cost of your tickets toward your membership dues. Please reach out to our office for details.
Learn More About the High Holy Days
Explore the meaning and traditions of each holiday:
Chanukkah
Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah or Chanukkah or חנוכה), meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “re-dedication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Hanukkah centers around the lighting of the chanukiyah, a special menorah for Hanukkah; unique foods, latkes and jelly doughnuts; and special songs and games.
When is Chanukah?
It’s the same every year: 25th of Kislev! Though it changes every year on the Gregorian calendar. For 2026, Chanukkah starts December 4 (sundown)-December 12 (sundown).
Our Celebrations
Each year, Agudas Israel has a congregational candle-lighting celebration. Additionally, we invite the whole community to an event featuring songs, jelly donuts, and candle-lighting.
Learn more about Chanukkah from Reform Judaism. You can also find the blessings to recite each night here.
Purim
Purim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther, which relates the basic story of Purim. Under the rule of King Ahashuerus, Haman, the King’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of the land from destruction. The reading of the megillah is typically a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman’s name is read aloud.
On Tuesday, March 2, 2026, we will celebrate Purim with a spiel, an “upside-down” service with a megillah reading, and homemade hamantaschen that will make for a joyous evening.
Read more about Purim here.
Passover
The holiday of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) celebrates the biblical account of the Israelites’ redemption and escape from 400 years of Egyptian slavery. Holiday rituals include a dramatic retelling of the Exodus story, reading the story in the Haggadah during first and second night seders, and many unique food traditions including eating only unleavened bread – matzah. We come together with friends and family to celebrate the great lessons of the story: the blessing of freedom and the reminder that since we were once slaves and were freed, it is our responsibility to work for freedom for all people, everywhere. Learn more here.
In keeping with our Agudas tradition, we usually hold a seder dinner and service for congregation members, guests and nonmembers on the second night of Passover. Reservations are required. For details and to reserve tickets to this year’s Seder, click here.
Tu B’shevat
Also known as “Jewish Arbor Day”. This date actually started a long time ago as a new year for the trees, where all the newly-fruited trees were subject to a particular tax.
Since about the 17th century Kabbalists, a tradition has emerged to host a seder in which participants eat 15 different fruits and nuts and drink four cups of red and white wine. If it echoes another tradition, that’s because this was modeled after the Passover seder.
Here at Agudas Israel, we usually host one of these events, as well as plant a tree. Some years we have had a tree planted in Israel, other years, we have planted our own property.
Read more about the holiday here.
Shavuot
Since 2020 when we all went online, Agudas Israel has been participating in an all-night virtual learning event. We join through Zoom, as individuals, and learn from different teachers each hour throughout the night. The majority of the teachers are rabbis or lay-leaders from other small Reform congregations throughout America.
In previous years we have done hour-long sessions coupled with eating dairy desserts. Such as one very fun year of a cheesecake bake-off in which we had over 20 homemade cheesecakes to taste and vote on.
Read more about the holiday here.
Yom Hashoah
Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Shoah, which means “catastrophe” or “utter destruction” in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II. This is a memorial day for those who died in the Shoah. The Shoah is also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire.”
At Agudas Israel, we commemorate this day by holding a service, often with a speaker who has had ties to the Holocaust itself.
Since 2020, we have been partnering with Asheville organizations (UNC-A, Beth Israel, Beth Hatephila) in holding a communal commemoration.
Read more about the day here.
Thanks for Visiting
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about our congregation. If you would like more information about the great things happening here at Agudas Israel, please let us know.