Off the beaten path, there's a lot to like!

With a plethora of choices available in every denomination, the local Jewish community is indeed fortunate. Whether one is a member of a synagogue, or is merely looking to find a homey place to observe the High Holidays, opportunity abounds in the Greater Boston area. It's easy to become somewhat insular. Yet, remarkable communities and places of worship can be found off the beaten path, both far and not-so-far from the immediate environs.

The Advocate decided to venture out of town a bit to check out offerings for the New Year period. Our look at a selection of statewide shuls revealed a vibrant and ambitious roster of holiday programming, along with many unique missions and histories.

To the southwest, Temple Beth Torah in Holliston (2162 Washington St.; 508-429-6268; tbt@bethtorah.org; www.bethtorah.org) offers a comprehensive schedule of High Holiday services, on Erev Rosh Hashana, the first and second days of Rosh Hashana, Tashlich and Mincha on the first day of Rosh Hashana, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur day and evening, and age-appropriate children’s services.

“Our beautiful High Holiday services encourage full participation,” says Corresponding Secretary Penny Glassman, “as dozens of members enjoy the opportunity to read from the Torah, carry the Torah, and read English selections.” A communal Sukkah-building, services in the Sukkah and dancing and music for Simchat Torah round out the holiday period, but Beth Torah holds Shabbat Services every Friday at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. as well.

“The Shabbat service on the third Friday of every month is our Ruach (Spirit) Shabbat service,” says Glassman, “with music and singing to welcome Shabbat.” In addition, there is a monthly B’Yachad Service on Saturday morning and a Small World Shabbat Service once a month at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening for children.

Beth Torah was founded in 1972 by a group of 16 families who yearned for a community synagogue in Holliston. “From the beginning, the divergent needs and backgrounds of our members have been considered in developing a philosophy that maintains and builds upon Jewish traditions,” explains Glassman. “We are a warm, nurturing, child-friendly community grounded in the contemporary Conservative movement,” she says, “with a strong and religious vigor, and a focus on education from preschool onward.”

Not too far away in Millis, Congregation Ael Chunon (334 Village St.; P.O. Box 401; 508-376-5894; Aelchunon@yahoo.com) starts off the new year with a chicken barbecue on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. Hebrew School classes begin the same day at 9 a.m.

Ael Chunon lies in the area once referred to as the "Catskills of Massachusetts," says synagogue spokesperson Joan Kent. “MIllis was the home to several Jewish resorts and some of these families still remain in Millis,” she explained. After the resorts closed, they donated the land and synagogue to the Jewish community. Originally an Orthodox synagogue, it eventually became Conservative, allowing women full rights as members.

“Today, Ael Chunon is home to families from many different backgrounds and from several towns surrounding Millis,” says Kent. High Holiday services commence at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4 and 5 for Rosh Hashana and will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 12, and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 13, with concluding services at 4:30 p.m., followed by a delicious “break the fast.”

High Holiday Services this year will be led by Marvin Levine. “Mr. Levine has been a public school and Hebrew School teacher for over thirty years,” says synagogue communications director Joan Kent. “He holds bachelors degrees in Psychology and Jewish Education, and Masters degrees in Education and Hebrew Literature.” Levine has been the Torah Reader at Congregation Or-Atid in Wayland for thirteen years, and teaches religious school at Temple Aliyah in Needham.

Temple Etz Chaim of Franklin (900 Washington St.; 508-528-5337; 508-528-2667; office@temple-etzchaim.org; http://Temple-etzchaim.org), will hold High Holiday services in the Federated Church (171 Main St.) in Franklin. The Etz Chaim choir will feature Cantorial Soloist Rachel Reef-Simpson and will accompany the services led by Rabbi Barbara Symons.

Further south in Attleboro, Congregation Agudas Achim (901 North Main St.; 508-222-2243; 508-222-2243; office@agudasma.org; http//www.agudasma.org) holds a full schedule of services, beginning with Slichot on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with a Study for Adults, and continuing with Erev Rosh Hashana and Rosh Hashana, with Tashlich on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. at the nearby Duck Pond. Yom Kippur services start on Oct. 13 at 9 a.m., with a service at 4:30 p.m. and Mincha/Maariv at 6:50 p.m., followed by a Break Fast. An Erev Sukkot program on Oct. 17 at 5:30 includes dinner in the Sukkot, with services at 10 a.m. the next morning.

A Reconstructionist congregation that serves nearly 120 families, with a religious school for preschoolers through grade 7, Agudas Achim was founded in 1968 and remains Attleboro’s first and only synagogue. A recently launched Celebrate Shabbat! Program invites Jews and others to join in. According to Synagogue Administrator Helen Urban, in addition to services, the synagogue has planned yoga classes, book discussions, theme-based dinners, outdoor activities and a variety of creative and innovative programs, to enable people to recognize all or a small part of the weekly day of rest.

“In this day and age, when we operate in a 24/7 economy, people forget to take time for rest and leisure,” said Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, spiritual leader of Agudas Achim. “We learn from Torah that G-d rested on Shabbat, and we want to emulate and honor that tradition, but we also need Shabbat for our own mental and physical well-being.”

Modeled after similar initiatives in American Jewish communities, the multiple programs on Shabbat seek to attract individuals who are less interested in formal prayer services. “These programs are supported by the STAR (Synagogue Renewal and Transformation) Foundation, which awarded Rabbi Wechterman a unique fellowship to study synagogue growth and development last year,” explained Urban.

“Our goal is to take STAR's national model and make it our own," said congregational president Michael Rudnick. “Here in the greater Attleboro area, we have people with many different interests and lifestyles. We are trying to offer a little something for everyone.” Rudnick cited the monthly ‘First Fridays” program of ethnic catered dinners set between family services at 6 and regular evening services at 7:45 p.m.

Agudas Achim also offers breakfast before Saturday morning services, periodic Friday night services outdoors at Capron Park in downtown Attleboro, and Saturday evening social activities. A speaker/performance series will include multinational musician Guy Mendilow, on Oct. 29.

West of Boston, Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton (133 Prospect St.; P.O. Box 2218; 978-263-3061; 978-263-8610; cbeacton@bethelohim.org; http://BethElohim.org) is an independent, progressive synagogue led by Rabbi Lewis Mintz, in existence since 1963. High Holiday services will feature extensive opportunities for school-aged children, and babysitting for toddlers and preschoolers. The full schedule will include Tashlich at 4 p.m. at Ice House Pond in Acton, a Yom Kippur Mincha Discussion at 4:15 p.m., and Yom Kippur Martyrology at 5 p.m.

A site for the Me’ah graduate program of Hebrew College, educational programs include the Family Holiday Preschool, the JCC Early Childhood Education Center and Summer Camp, Religious School, Family Education, and an adult education curriculum. A very active Sisterhood and Brotherhood help support progressive dinners, concerts and community outings.

“We have remained, by choice, independent and unaffiliated with any of the denominational movements, maintaining an approach to religious observance and worship which is inclusive, egalitarian and spirited,” said the synagogue’s Communications Chair Glenn Fund. “We have been described as occupying that point on the spectrum where the most traditional wing of the Reform and the most progressive wing of the Conservative movements overlap,” he added.

Temple Shir Hadash of Westford (The Fellowship Hall of the First Parish Church United, 48 Main St., P.O. Box 1232; 978-692-7163; info@templeshirhadash.org; highholidays@TempleShirHadash.org; www.templeshirhadash.org) is an independent congregation founded four years ago. Rabbi Karen Landy leads monthly Shabbat and High-Holiday services, and is available for all life cycle events. A monthly Holiday School and a weekly Hebrew School, which begin with Grade 1, feature creative teachers.

“Our informal approach encourages inclusive participation in the celebration of religious, lifecycle and communal events,” said Secretary Karen Burstein, who said that Pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students learn to chant from the Torah the year before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. “Our professional teaching staff is committed to making these years of learning through an enriching, warm and welcoming environment.”

A potluck dairy/parve, nut-free dinner will follow Rosh Hashanah Day services. Tashlich service will be held at Forge Pond. A potluck dairy/parve, nut-free Break-fast will follow Yom Kippur, with evening Services will be led by Rabbi Karen Landy and morning services by rabbinical student Isabel de Koninck. A Junior Congregation service for children grades 3-6 will be held during morning services, with child care available (Child/ren must be registered by Sept. 30 for the Rosh Hashanah service). An online childcare form is available.

“Some call us the ‘little engine that could’;" says Congregation Ahavath Sholom (27 North St., P.O. Box 464; 413-528-4197; ahavathsholom@aol.com) board member Vivian Scheinmann. “Some call us the ‘little shul on the prairie’. But everyone knows us as the Reconstructionist synagogue in the Berkshires with a lot of heart and a wonderful community that has weathered many changes.”

“Love of Peace” first received its charter as an Orthodox synagogue in 1926 by members who had begun meeting in 1923 as the first Jewish community in the southern Berkshires. It had its own kosher butcher shop, run by the Rabbi Jacob Axelrod, who served the congregation for over 60 years. He was also the father of David Axelrod, a former health commissioner of the State of New York. “We have a special past, a lovely present, and an exciting future for which the entire congregation is proud,” said Scheinmann.

The congregation has weekly Shabbat services, an active religious school, and an adult education program. Spiritual leader Barbara J. Cohen will conduct a full schedule of High Holy Day services at the Southern Berkshire Community Center, Crissey Road, Great Barrington; a break fast will follow Yom Kippur services.

High Holiday services at Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams (53 Lois St.; 413-663-5830; office@cbiweb.org; http://www.cbiweb.org) will be led by Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser and cantorial soloist Diane Becker Krasnick, according to Synagogue Administrator Marsha Landry. The shul holds Shabbat services each Friday and Saturday, with a community dinner following the third Friday service. Educators are Rabbi Goldwasser and Chris Kelly-Whitney; membership is 108. Services will commence on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.; a Break-the-Fast will be held following services on Oct. 13.

Last but not least, just outside of town, Congregation Agudas Achim-Ezrath Israel in Malden (245 Bryant St., off route 60; magspirit44@yahoo.com; bobie52003@yahoo.com; 781-322-7205) is a recently-merged egalitarian Conservative congregation serving over 140 individuals and families. The High Holy Day services for 5766 will be conducted by Rabbi Mark Golub, Sexton Wayne Freedman, who will blow the Shofar, as well as the Synagogue Choir and its director, Soloist Phyllis Werlin.

Joint Selichot services with Temple Tifereth Israel of Malden on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. will begin with refreshments prepared by the Synagogue's Sisterhood; joint Tashlich services will be held at the Fellsmere Pond in Malden at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9 High Holy Day Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. and noon at both congregation's cemetery locations. Children's services, under the direction of Julie Cohen, principal of the Metro Hebrew School, will be held on both Rosh Hashanah mornings and on Yom Kippur morning at 10:30 am. All-day Oct. 13 services will begin at 9 a.m.

“Ne'ilah will be highlighted by a beautiful glo-stick processional by the congregation's children,” said Barbara Weiner of the Sisterhood, which, under the direction of Marilyn Masters, will host a "Break the Fast."