High Holy Days
212.249.5000
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High Holy Days Service Schedule at a Glance | Preparing for the High Holy Days | High Holy Day Services - Explained | Ticket Information | Book of Remembrance | Greeters | High Holy Day Food Drive | For Families | Begin the New Year Celebrating Together | Membership | FAQ | Buy Tickets - Non-members | Contact Us
A Guide to the 2010 High Holy Days
High Holy Days 5771
A Message from Rabbi David Gelfand
Dear Friends,
This can be a time for
remembering the old - reflection -
repenting - renewal - reawakening -
looking forward to the coming year
This can be a time for
teshuvah - turning, returning
to God
to those we’ve
wronged
to our loved ones,
to our people,
to our Self.
Is this the fast that I have chosen? Is this the affliction of the
soul? Is it to droop your head like a reed, to grovel in mourning?
Is that what you call fasting, a fast that God would accept?
This is My chosen fast to loosen all the bonds that bind
people unfairly, to let the the oppressed go free, to break every
yoke. Share your bread wit the hungry, take the homeless into
your home. Clothe the naked when you see them; do not turn
away from people in need. Then cleansing light shall break out
like the dawn, and your wounds shall soon be healed.
- from Yom Kippur reading, Isaiah 58:3-9
As the Jewish year begins anew in the weeks to come, may we have the courage to notonly look backward, but forward. The Days of Awe - Selichot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - along with Sukkokt and Simchat Torah, give us just that opportunity. RoshHashanah arrives with new challenges and new opportunities. Let each of us take a good look and see where we are and where we should be. Let us resolve to try a little harder, do a little better, care a little more ... and bring our best into the New Year.
As individuals, families and as a sacred community, may we share our hopes and our dreams for 5771 for ourselves, for Temple Israel of the City of New York, for Israel and for our people everywhere and for all God’s children:
May this New Year be the best year we have ever lived.
In this New Year, may we learn more in the ways of life.
In this New Year, may we be kinder and wiser than last year.
In this New Year, may our ears be attuned to each person’s cry.
In this New Year, may our eyes know better the sights to seek,
In this New Year, may our hearts be lightened by joy and laughter.
As God created each of us b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God,
In this New Year, I pray, may we be deserving of blessings.
So, may we be inscribed for another year of health and happiness, of hope and renewal, courage and strength and fulfillment, for your highest dreams and most precious aspirations.
May we find ways to share our blessings for the sake of others and for the sake of heaven.
I look forward to greeting you personally in the New Year and to the times that we may be privileged to share. To you and yours, may the season ahead that we share together be a time for remembering the old - reflection - repenting - renewal - reawakening and looking forward to the coming year and then to making the new in the New Year sacred! Then may we greet one another with the profound and sacred words:
“L’shana tova tikateivu ...
May you & your loved ones be inscribed for a good year!”
Rabbi David J. Gelfand
Preparing for the High Holy Days
Join us as we prepare for the High Holy Days through study, music, and worship to reawaken your spirit.The journey begins during the Hebrew month of Elul. Traditionally, Elul is a month of preparation where we, as Jews, make teshuvah (repentance or turning), turning inward for self-evaluation, turning back to look at our deeds of the previous year, and returning to God.
Saturday, September 4
Selichot Program and Service
Temple Israel │ 112 East 75th St.
7:30pm Film & Discussion
9:30pm Dessert Reception
10:00 - 11:00pm Service of Forgiveness
Selichot on the Beach │In the Hamptons
Reawaken your spirit for the High Holy Days with a program and service that will elevate your soul, bring you closer to God, and set the tone for renewal for the coming year. Both the program and Service are open to the entire community.
Selichot is the name of the prayers of forgiveness we say during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Selichot is also the name of the Service recited on the Saturday night before the start of Rosh Hashanah. In both the prayers and the Service, we ask God’s forgiveness, much as the overture to an opera which introduces the themes that will be developed in greater depth throughout the Holy Days. All are welcome.
Each Service is meaningful and spiritually moving. Tickets are required for members and guest for all Services, except for afternoon Kidz Services, Tashlich and Yom Kippur Afternoon/Yizkor Memorial/Neilah Service. See complete Service schedule.
High Holy Day Services - Explained
Worship in the Sanctuary and the Ballroom
Our Rabbis’ and Cantors’ inspirational and eloquent presence is infused with the warmth and drama of the beautiful music of the Holy Days. We invite all of our families to join us for worship in either the Sanctuary or the Ballroom. Sanctuary worship includes the majestic sounds of our professional choir while Ballroom worship incorporates contemporary, participatory music with professional musicians.
Worship in the Ballroom is held on Rosh Hashanah Morning, Kol Nidre (Yom Kippur Eve) and Yom Kippur Morning. On Erev Rosh Hashanah, we invite the entire congregation to welcome the New Year together in our Sanctuary, this year at 6pm. For Yom Kippur Afternoon/Yizkor/Neilah, we again worship all together in the Sanctuary from 3:00-6:15 pm. See complete Service schedule.
Teen Service
This informal Service & Program is led by our High School Youth Group, ManhaTI, for our 9th-12th Grades. All teens & their friends are welcome. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday and Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur. Contact for more info.
See complete Service schedule.
Youth Service
With members of our Clergy team, this interactive, age-appropriate service from 3rd – 6th Graders and their parents is organized around a special Youth High Holy Day Mahzor (Prayerbook), lively music, interaction between leaders and worshippers and a family oriented High Holy Day message. Rosh Hashanah morning and Yom Kippur morning. See complete Service schedule.
Pre-enrollment for the Youth Services is required. Tickets will be distributed and are required for these services.
Tashlich
Tashlich means to cast or throw metaphorically discarding sins by tossing crumbs of food into a moving body of water. We have prepared written a brief, beautiful service for this moving ritual.
We meet at Carl Schurz Park @ 86th Street on Rosh Hashanah Day —
See complete Service schedule.
Tashlich on the Hudson - for our teens. Contact for more info.
Kidz Services
These fun-filled Services rich in music and story-telling will appeal to our youngest members. Families with children PreK - Grade 3 will delight in these Services with our entire Clergy, Staff & Children’s Choir. Children’s Services are held on Rosh Hashanah Day and Yom Kippur Day.
See complete Service schedule.
Healing Service - Yom Kippur
For all seeking comfort of body, mind and spirit for themselves and/or loved ones. If you are ill or a caretaker of a loved one, if you are yet pained over the loss of a loved one or trauma, if you live with a broken heart or shattered soul, our special Yom Kippur Healing Service is for you.
See complete Service schedule.
Ticket Information
Tickets will mailed to members in good standing beginning August 16 until August 30. All tickets requested after this date will be available by pick-up only from the Temple Office or on the day of Services at Will-Call.
Guest & Non-Member Seats
We have a limited number of guest & non-member seats available.
Guest Seats (available for purchase by Temple Israel Members for family & friends)
- Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur - $400
- Rosh Hashanah only - $225
- Yom Kippur only - $225
See complete Service schedule.
Non-Member Seats (available for purchase by Non- Members)
- Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur - $500
- Rosh Hashanah only - $275
- Yom Kippur only - $275
See complete Service schedule.
Buy non-member tickets.
Location of Guest & Non-Member seats cannot be guaranteed. Non-members may apply their ticket purchase amount towards their membership dues for this year. Tickets are non-refundable nor transferrable.
Temple Israel invites all those unaffiliated to become part of our community through memebership. Please contact Eugenia James, Membership Coordinator at 212-249-5000 for further information. Our Rabbis are also ready to meet with you. Please note that as our membership grows, non-member tickets may no longer be available for purchase for worship during the High Holy Days in the future.
Will-Call
The Will-Call table, located in our courtyard, will open one hour prior to the start of Services.
Not Using Your Tickets?
Please let us know as soon as possible if you will not be using some or all of your seats for the High Holy Day Services.
Reciprocity
Will you be traveling during the High Holy Days? If so, please contact the Temple Office and let us know. Through the URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) & WUPJ (World Union for Progressive Judaism), individuals who belong to a Reform Congregation can attend High Holy Day Services at other Reform/Progressive congregations throughout the world. We can help you with reciprocal tickets at a Reform synagogue in your destination city. Contact Nick Salierno: reception@tinyc.org or 212-249-5000.
Book of Remembrance 5771
You are invited to participate in a 700-year-old tradition honoring the memory of loved ones by listing the names of those taken from us in our annual Book of Remembrance. It will be distributed at our Yizkor Memorial Service on Yom Kippur Afternoon/Yizkor Memorial/Neilah Service.
Our Book contains not only Yizkor prayers but also appropriate readings for comfort and solace throughout the year. The Perpetual Yahrzeit List memorializes those whose names are consecrated throughout our sacred space including Memorial Plaques, Seats, Windows and our congregation’s ritual items. We encourage all to join in this beautiful act of tzedakah. This is the sacred way to honor loved ones and to allow the goodness of their lives to bless others through our thoughtfulness and generosity. If you listed your loved ones in last year’s Book, their names will appear on page in the High Holy Day Update Form whcih . Please add new entries in the space provided.
Greeters
As a welcoming congregation we need the help of members to greet congregants as they arrive at Services. If you are interested in becoming a greeter for the High Holy Days please indicate so on your High Holy Day form. You will be asked to arrive at High Holy Day Services at least 45 minutes before the scheduled service time and to be able to greet on either Rosh Hashanah evening and morning or Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Day.
A Pre-High Holy Day Greeters Workshop is scheduled for
Tuesday, September 7| 6:00 - 7:00pm.
We also have greeter opportunities year-round for Shabbat & Holidays. If you are interested in becoming part of the year-round greeter rotation please call the temple at 212-249-5000 or email reception@templeisraelnyc.org.
High Holy Day Food Drive
Let All Who Are Hungry Eat, Make Everyday MITZVAH DAY. Help the Hungry and Care for Those in Need
“A person who runs to do good deeds attains life, success & honor.” (Prov. 21:21)
It’s always the right time to help others but with the High Holy Days we think more conscientiously about extending ourselves to those in need.
Bring non-perishable foods to Temple (including household, paper goods, soup & toothpaste etc.) Other items needed are: Peanut Butter, Canned Fish, Pasta/Rice, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Baby Food, Powdered Milk & Canned Soups.
Our High Holy Day Food Drive begins on Rosh Hashanah and continues through Thanksgiving. Bring your food & other non-perishable items with you to every service. Our Social Action Committee will provide sturdy bags. Collection bins are in the lobby. Our drive helps meet real needs including the need for each of us to perform again and again the mitzvah of tzedakah.
Please bring your Tzedakah Box from Mitzvah Day or any Tzedakah Box or Pushke and empty it in the TI Lobby from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur for our collective charitable gifts to be distributed by the Social Action Committee to those in need in our community and beyond. Recalls will also occur at Chanukah and Purim, as well as TI Mitzvah Day. (Congregants who have not yet received a TI Tzedakah Box may pick one up from the TI Office or the sanctuary lobby during the High Holy Days.)
The monies go to the TI Tzedakah Fund to help the hungry and the needy in our community and beyond administered by our Social Action Committee and our Clergy.
For Families
Kidz Services
Join our Rabbis, Cantors & song leader, along with some surprise guests, for our exciting, interactive Kidz Service on Rosh Hashanah Day and Yom Kippur Day with our very special colorful, story-filled “A Child’s Holiday Prayer Book.” We invite all our families with young children (PreK - Grade 3) to join in these joyful and creative age-appropriate experiences. A special holiday gift will be given to each child. Our Children’s Choir is scheduled to perform.
Kidz Services are held on Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Day
See complete Service schedule.
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Youth Services
With members of our Clergy team, this interactive, age-appropriate service from 3rd – 6th Graders and their parents is organized around a special Youth High Holy Day Mahzor (Prayerbook), lively music, interaction between leaders and worshippers and a family oriented High Holy Day message. See complete Service schedule.
Pre-enrollment is required. Tickets will be distributed and are required for these services.
Toddler & Children’s Program
For children ages 2.4 - 4 years old, professional babysitting will be provided. Children in Pre-K-4th are also eligible for this service, though we encourage 3rd & 4th grade children to attend our Worship Services with their parents & older siblings.
Our goal is to make the children feel welcome and safe in our synagogue and to enable our parents to worship with the knowledge that their child(ren) are enjoying their own High Holy Day experience. There is no fee for this service but advance registration is required.
Please indicate whether your child(ren) will join us on your High Holy Day form. You must pre-register your child(ren) for the program. Please be aware that we reserve the right—for safety reasons—to deny non-registered children entry into the program if we feel insufficient childcare workers are present. The security, happiness and safety of our children are our primary concern. Reservations received after September 7 will be assessed a $25 late fee for each child regardless if there is a nanny or child care provider present.
Light snacks will be served. No food may be brought into the program because of our concern for food allergies.
Parents must drop off and pick up their children enrolled in the Toddler & Children’s Program. Children will be released to their parents or to other adults only with the written permission arranged at the time of registration.
Toddler & Children’s Program begins 30 minutes prior to the start of Services:
•Erev Rosh Hashanah | September 8 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm
•Rosh Hashanah Day | September 9 9:30 am - 12:30pm
•Kol Nidre | September 17 7:30 - 10:00pm
•Yom Kippur Day | September 18 9:30am - 6:45pm (children must be picked up by 6:45pm)
See complete Service schedule.
For more information about our Toddler & Children’s Program or our Youth Services please contact
Sharrye Moore at 212-249-5002.
Begin the New Year Celebrating Together
The Board of Trustees invites you to join us...
in celebrating the New Year with a special Rosh Hashanah Kiddush/Reception immediately following services at 7:30pm on Rosh Hashanah Eve.
We will conclude our High Holy Day observance with our Yom Kippur Neilah Service. After the blowing of the final shofar, all are invited to attend a special delicious congregational Break Fast Reception immediately following Neilah at 6:15pm. We look forward to welcoming you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Rosh Hashanah Evening Services begin at 6pm again this year?
Yes! The start time of the Rosh Hashanah Evening Services was changed last year to a more family-friendly start time of 6:00pm. Due to resounding approval, Erev Rosh Hashanah Services will once again begin at 6pm. As was last year, our commitment to you is that Services will end by 7:30 pm so you can be sitting down with family and friends for dinner by 8:00pm!
I have tickets to the Family Service on Erev Rosh Hashanah. I don’t see a worship service in the Ballroom scheduled. Can I use that ticket for the Sanctuary?
Yes. On Erev Rosh Hashanah at 6:00pm, we will begin the New Year as one community in the Sanctuary. Your ticket will permit you to sit in the open seating in the balcony.
Do I need a ticket for my child?
Everyone attending High Holy Day Services, other than the Kidz Services & Tashlich will need a High Holy Day ticket.
Has there been a change to this year’s Youth Service & Teen Services?
Because of last year’s overwhelming response to the Youth Service (3rd – 6th Grade), we will hold 2 services. The Early Service will be from 9:45am to 11:05am and a Late Service from 11:15am to 12:30pm. The services will be identical and will both be led by members of our clergy in the Chapel. Specific tickets will be required for these services.
The Teen Service & Program (7th – 12th Grade) will again be held on Erev Rosh Hashanah at 6pm and Kol Nidre at 8pm.
What time is the Yizkor Memorial Service?
The Yizkor Memorial Service is part of the Afternoon Service which begins at 3pm on Yom Kippur Day.
High Holy Days at a Glance
Selichot — Saturday, September 4
Program | 7:30pm
Dessert Reception | 9:30pm
Service of Forgiveness | 10:00pm
In the Hamptons | Selichot on the Beach
Erev Rosh Hashanah - Wednesday, September 8
Worship in the Sanctuary | 6:00pm
Teen Service & Program (7th—12th Grades) | 6:00pm | Chapel
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 6:00 –7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Eve Reception | Courtyard | 7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Day - Thursday, September 9
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 10:00 am
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th, 5th & 6th Floors | 9:30am - 12:30pm
Youth Service (3rd—6th Grades) | prior enrollment is required
Chapel | 9:45am – 11:05am
OR
Chapel | 11:15am – 12:30pm
Kidz Service | Pre -K to Grade 3| Sanctuary | 2:45pm
Tashlich Carl Schurz Park | 86th Street | 4:30pm
Tashlich on the Hudson | Youth Groups
Kol Nidre –Friday, September 17
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 8:00pm
Teen Service & Program (9th - 12th Grades) | Chapel | 8:00pm
Toddler & Children’s Program | 7:30 -10:00pm | 4th & 6th Floors
Yom Kippur Day – Saturday, September 18
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 10:00am
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 9:30am - 6:15pm
Youth Service (3rd—6th Grades) | 10:00am - 11:30pm
Chapel | 9:45am – 11:05am
OR
Chapel | 11:15am – 12:30pm
Social Action Lecture | Ballroom | 1:00pm
Kidz Service – Pre -K to Grade 3| Sanctuary | 1:45pm
Healing Service Chapel | 2:00pm
Afternoon, Yizkor Memorial & Neilah Service | Sanctuary | 3:00pm
Break Fast Reception | Ballroom | 6:15pm
Sukkot
Wednesday, September 22 | Pizza in the Hut - Religious School | 4:45 - 5:45pm
Thursday, September 23 |Tot Sukkot | 9:30am
Monday, September 27 | Pizza in the Hut - ECLC | 5:00 – 6:00pm
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Wednesday, September 29
Simchat Torah : Family Service | 4:45 - 5:45pm
Simchat Torah Cocktails and Commentary | 6:30 - 8:00pm
Thursday, September 30
Yizkor | 8:30 – 9:15am
Simchat Torah Breakfast | 9:15am
