High Holy Days 2021 - Temple Israel of the City of New York

High Holy Days

l’SHANAH TOVAH!

Reawaken your spirit for the High Holy Days with services and programming that will elevate your soul, bring you closer to God, and set the tone to gain perspective for renewal in the coming year. Our Rabbis’ and Cantors’ inspirational and eloquent presence is infused with the warmth and drama of the beautiful music of the Holy Days.

We are continuing with our current plan to hold In-Person Worship with a Virtual option, as well. Our team is monitoring all changes to CDC, New York State, and NYC COVID-19 guidelines, and we are ready to adapt accordingly, as announcements are made. Thank you for your understanding during this unpredictable time.

In keeping with our Jewish values, please note that we are proceeding with the following notable changes:

PROOF OF VACCINATION – Required for all eligible adults and children ages 12 and older. A copy of COVID-19 Vaccine Records will be required as part of the registration process. All members and non-members who wish to attend In-Person Worship will be required to register in advance.
NEGATIVE PCR TESTS no more than 72 hours prior will be required to attend In-Person worship for children under 12. (Rockin’ Services will be socially distanced. Tot Services will be outdoors (weather permitting) otherwise Virtual).
DIGITAL TICKETS – Will be emailed by the week of August 30. This email will be your ticket(s). A Will Call desk will be available during the High Holy Days to assist you.
MASKS – Everyone in attendance at High Holy Day worship will need to be masked at all times.

Services

Services in the Sanctuary and Ballroom
We invite all of our families to join us for services in either the Sanctuary or the Ballroom. Sanctuary worship includes the majestic sounds of our professional choir and musicians while Ballroom service incorporates contemporary, participatory music with professional musicians.

Ticket Information

Tickets will be mailed to members in good standing in late August.
Will-Call
The Will-Call table, located in our courtyard, will open 45 minutes prior to the start of each service.
Guest Seats
Available for purchase by Temple Israel Members for family & friends – limited availability.
Rates: $450 (Both), $300 (RH only), $300 (YK only)
Purchase Guest Tickets »
*Location of Guest Seats cannot be guaranteed.
Non-Member Seats
Available for purchase by Non-Members for our Ballroom Service – limited availability.
Rates: $740 (Both), $450 (RH only), $450 (YK only)
Also available…
$180/family for Rockin’ Family Service (Both RH & YK)
Purchase Guest Tickets »
*Location of non-member seats cannot be guaranteed. Non-members may apply their ticket purchase amount towards their membership dues for the 2019-2020 year if they join immediately after the High Holy Days. Tickets are available for purchase by non-members for a maximum of three years. Tickets are neither refundable nor transferable. Sanctuary main floor seating is reserved for Temple Israel Members.
NYConnect (20s/30s Group)
NYConnect is Temple Israel’s group for young professionals in their 20s and 30s. At least once a month, NYConnect gathers for various events throughout the city including Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and mixers. Come join NYConnect for the High Holy Days to meet other dynamic Jews in New York City. Purchase tickets here.
Purchase NYConnect Tickets »
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. Email Susanna Kochan, skochan@templeisraelnyc.org.
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. As a leader of the WUPJ, Rabbi Gelfand also has contacts with Jewish communities in many corners of the world. Contact the Susanna Kochan for reciprocity at skochan@templeisraelnyc.org or 646-292-9490.

Book of Remembrance

We invite you to honor the memory of your loved ones by listing their names in our annual Book of Remembrance. The Book of Remembrance also includes The Perpetual Yahrzeit List, which memorializes those whose names are consecrated on Memorial Plaques, Seats, Windows, and our congregation’s ritual items. We will distribute The Book of Remembrance at our Yizkor Memorial Service on Yom Kippur afternoon. We encourage all to engage in this act of thoughtful, generous tzedakah as a sacred way to honor loved ones, so their goodness will bless the lives of others.
Donate or Add Names to Book of Remembrance »
Questions? Contact Matthew Lieberman at mlieberman@templeisraelnyc.org or 646-292-9465.
If there are no changes, we will print names given last year. If there are changes, we will only print names that are received by Friday, August 30.

For Families

High Holy Day Rockin’ Family Services
For families w/children Grades K-6
These intergenerational & interactive services, led by Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman and our Musical Artist-in-Residence, Sheldon Low, are geared towards families with children in Grades K–6. These special services are designed to engage the whole family with music that introduces your children to the High Holy Days, using a child-friendly Mahzor (Prayerbook), as well as stories with themes and messages that will engage your family in meaningful discussion.
Tickets are included with membership but must be requested for these High Holy Day Rockin’ Family Services. Tickets available for purchase by Non-members.
Tot Services
For families w/children ages 2-5
Join our Rabbis, Cantors & song leader, along with some surprise guests, for our exciting, interactive Tot Services with our very special colorful, story-filled prayer book. We invite all our families with young children, ages 2-5 (Pre-K) to join in these joyful and creative experiences on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
H²D Project: Interactive • Dynamic • Inspiring*
For children Grades K-5 (RH & YK Mornings)
Age-appropriate and celebratory programming for children while parents attend adult services. Children and teens in Grades K-5 join in discussions, create artwork, games and programs that help them delve into the themes of the season. In addition, they participate in a half-hour children’s age-appropriate service within their individual grades led by Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman & Rabbi David Reinhart. Pre-registration required.
Register for H²D Project »
Yom Tov Tots*
For children ages 2-5 (Pre-K)
Our goal is to provide quality programming and make our children feel welcome and safe in our synagogue, enabling our parents to worship with the knowledge that their children are enjoying their own High Holy Day experience. Check your child(ren) in fifteen minutes prior to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.
Register for Yom Tov Tots »
*Registration for H²D and Yom Tov Tots is free if completed by 5pm on the Friday preceding the holiday. Registration after this time will only be allowed at the door beginning at 10:30am, if space is available, and will be charged a fee of $25 per child per day. Cancellations are free if made at least 24 hours before the event. Cancellations made after this time, or no-shows at the event, may be be charged $25 per child per day. For safety and security, children are not permitted to check themselves in or out of the program at any time. No child will be permitted to leave the program without an authorized adult to check them out.

FAQs

What is the difference between Services in the Sanctuary & Ballroom?
Sanctuary worship includes the majestic sounds of our professional choir and musicians while Ballroom worship incorporates contemporary, participatory music with professional musicians. Both Services use the same new prayerbook, Mishkan HaNefesh, and are appropriate for adults and children in Grades 3 and up.
Why do I see only one service time listed for Erev Rosh Hashanah?
On Erev Rosh Hashanah at 6:00pm, you can choose to either attend the service in the Sanctuary or the Rockin’ Family Service in the Ballroom (Grades 2-6), or even get a taste of each.
Do I need a ticket for my child?
Everyone attending High Holy Day Services in the Ballroom and Sanctuary will need a High Holy Day ticket.
What time is the Yom Kippur Yizkor Memorial Service?
The Yizkor Memorial Service is part of the Afternoon Service which begins at 4:00pm, concluding at 6:15pm.
Can you change the temperature in the Sanctuary or Ballroom during services?
Due to varying room temperatures in our building, we suggest you bring a shawl, sweater or jacket. As cooling such large spaces, often filled to capacity, is a constant challenge.

2021|5782 Schedule

Selichot

Saturday, August 28

9:00pm • Service of Reflection & Forgiveness – Virtual
Rabbi Gelfand, Cantor Altshul & Rabbi Reinhart

Erev Rosh Hashanah | Monday, September 6

5:00-5:45pm • Rockin’ Family Service (Grades K-5) – In-Person & Virtual
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Sheldon Low

6:00-7:00pm • Evening Service – In-Person (Sanctuary) & Virtual
Rabbi Gelfand, Rabbi Reinhart & Cantor Altshul

Rosh Hashanah, First Day | Tuesday, September 7

9:00-9:30am • Tot Rosh Hashanah – Ages 2-5 (Pre-K) – Outdoors (weather permitting) & Virtual
Rabbi Reinhart & Lisa Samick

9:30-10:00am • H2D Children’s Service (Grades K-5) – Virtual for those not in person
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Molly Rose Hoenig

10:00am-12:00pm • H2D Project (Grades K-5) – In-Person

10:15am-11:45am • Rosh Hashanah Service – Outdoors (weather permitting) or Sanctuary & Virtual
Temple Israel Clergy

12:00-12:30pm • TI Member Only Oneg Shanah – Virtual
Rabbi Gelfand & Cantor Altshul

4:30-5:00pm • Tashlich at Carl Schurz Park (rain or shine) – In-Person & Virtual
TI Clergy & Hadar Orshalimy

Rosh Hashanah, Second Day | Wednesday, September 8

9:00-9:45am • Rosh Hashanah Torah Study – Virtual
Rabbi Reinhart

10:00-11:15am • Rosh Hashanah LIVE Service – Outdoors (weather permitting) or Sanctuary & Virtual
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Hadar Orshalimy

11:00-11:30am • Rosh Hashanah Tot Concert with Shira Kline – Virtual

8:00-9:15pm • NYConnect (20s/30s) New Year’s Concert with Dan Nichols – Virtual

Kol Nidre | Wednesday, September 15

6:00-6:45pm • Rockin’ Family Service (Grades K-6) – In-Person & Virtual
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Sheldon Low

8:00-9:15pm • Evening Service – In-Person & Virtual
TI Clergy

Yom Kippur | Thursday, September 16

9:00-9:30am • Tot Yom Kippur – Ages 2-5 (Pre-K) – Outdoors (weather permitting) & Virtual
Rabbi Reinhart & Molly Rose Hoenig

9:30-10:00am • H2D Children’s Service (Grades K-5) – Virtual for those not in person
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Molly Rose Hoenig

10:00am-12:00pm • H2D Project (Grades K-5) – In-Person

10:15am • Yom Kippur Service – Outdoors (weather permitting) or Sanctuary/Ballroom & Virtual
TI Clergy

12:15-1:00pm • Yom Kippur Text Study – Virtual
Rabbi Reinhart

1:15-2:00pm • Social Action Dialogue
David Harris, AJC CEO & Rabbi Gelfand

2:15-2:45pm • Jonah Maven – Virtual
Rabbi Buyer-Witman, Rabbi Reinhart & TI Members

3:00-3:45pm • Healing Service – Courtyard & Virtual
Rabbi Buyer-Witman & Hadar Orshalimy

4:00-5:30pm • Yizkor Memorial Service – Outdoors (weather permitting) & Virtual
Rabbi Gelfand & Cantor Althsul

5:30-6:30pm • Neilah – Outdoors (weather permitting) or Sanctuary & Virtual
TI Clergy & Hadar Orshalimy

Book of Remembrance

We invite you to honor the memory of your loved ones by listing their names in our annual Book of Remembrance. In addition to the names of loved ones, the Book lists those whose are consecrated on memorial plaques, seats, windows, and our congregation’s ritual items. Entries must be received no later than Monday, August 30. Submit here.