Kever Avot services at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries begin with the sound of the shofar and include traditional prayers. (photo courtesy of Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries)

Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries will host its annual Kever Avot Memorial services on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills, and at 1 p.m. at Mount Sinai Simi Valley.

Kever Avot, which in Hebrew means “graves of the fathers,” is an ancient custom dating to the beginning of Jewish history. It relates to an annual Jewish tradition of visiting a cemetery between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to pay homage to parents and loved ones,and to gain strength through communal prayer.

The Kever Avot services will be led by Rabbi Samuel Rotenberg and Cantor Marcus Feldman from Sinai Temple. At the Hollywood Hills location, they will be joined by the Sinai Temple Choir under the direction of Aryell Cohen. In Simi Valley, Rotenberg and Feldman will be joined by the UJA Choir under the direction of Dr. Noreen Green. Music and prayers will be held in Hebrew and English, evoking tradition and inspiring reflection and meditation.

The Mount Sinai Kever Avot services begin with the sound of the shofar (a ram’s horn traditionally blown at the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days) and end with the recitation of the Kaddish (the traditional Jewish prayer recited by mourners). No tickets are required to attend Mount Sinai’s Kever Avot service and all who remember loved ones, whether they are buried at Mount Sinai or elsewhere, are invited to attend.

Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries is located at 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, and Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries Simi Valley is located at 6150 Mount Sinai Drive. For information, call (323)769-1325, email keveravot@mountsinaiparks.org or visit mountsinaiparks.org/kever-avot.