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 2011 High Holy Days
High Holy Days 5772
A Message from Rabbi David Gelfand
Dear Friends,
May you and your loved ones be inscribed for a good year in Sefer HaChayim, the Book of Life!
Come the High Holy Days each and every year, we respond to the image of the Book of Life. Most of the time we think of it as God's ledger in which God, hopefully, checks us off for another new year of life. But an ancient story in Midrash Tanhuma sees it quite differently. Adam complained to God, "Your Torah will record that I brought death into the world. It's one thing to be responsible for the death of the wicked, but I should not be held responsible for the deaths of the righteous!" God answered, "Adam, you need not worry. I am going to have every person write their own account of his or her life, and then seal it."
So it is an ancient text, not contemporary narcissism, that suggests that each one of us is writing the book of our own lives. Best seller anyone? I once read that maybe one in 100,000 books is remembered past ten years! And if not sold quickly, most books are either remaindered or shredded. And now a days, we can simply push delete on our Kindle or iPad and magically, an entire volume disappears. What kind of book is this Book of Life that we might write? And does it have long-lasting value or as they say in business— shelf life?
But Jewish tradition looks at this Book of Life thing quite seriously and the delete button is never used, not even in death. The prayers teach us, "Inscribe us in the sefer of life." To simply translate sefer as a book misses the point, even though it is so used in modern Hebrew. There is actually a difference between a book and a sefer, and in Jewish tradition, not every book is a sefer! In Jewish tradition, a book can just be plopped down in any position, but a sefer must always to be set down right side up. If you drop a book, you may choose to pick it up or not, but a sefer is not only immediately picked up, but kissed and replaced to its rightful spot. And a book can be discarded like the trash, but a worn sefer is never discarded or burnt or put in a shredder, it is to be appropriately buried. No sefer is holier than another, whether written or attributed to Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai, Maimonides or Rashi, the Baal Shem Tov or Elie Wiesel.
The Book of Life, your Book of Life, your sefer, won't be distinguished by its length or the cover art. But it will be distinguished by words that describe your mitzvahs and your tzedakah. It will recount your words and your deeds, their sounds and
From the beginning until now, we are busy telling the Jewish story, as well as our personal stories, and we'll be gathering for another New Year/Rosh Hashanah, this year in late September (beginning Wednesday Eve, September 28th, 1 Tishri 5772). Let us remember that we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us and like an old sefer it always begins on page 2, never page 1. It reminds us in this format of a basic existential fact. My life, like yours, did not begin on the day of my birth, but some part of me began with Abraham and Moses long, long ago. And my story, like yours, will not finish when our days are done in this life. The Jewish story is only completed at some day far into the future with a time of peace and justice for all peoples. I yearn for it, but reality suggests it is not around the corner. We have much to do to work towards a better world; we need to unleash the angel within each and every person created b'tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Each of us is but a chapter in the unfolding story of humanity and of the Jewish people and whether we are written of in an ordinary book or a sefer is ultimately set by what we do and by what we do not do.
The story is told of the famed sculptor Michelangelo who once dragged an enormous piece of marble into a public square in his small town. The locals quickly gathered round and skeptically asked him what he thought he was doing. He responded, "There is an angel inside this stone, trying to get out. I am going to release him." Our challenge is to figure out how to let that angel out in the New Year of 5772 so that as we bring our very best into the light in a world too often filled with darkness, there will be much to be recounted in our individual Sefer HaChayim, our own Book of Life!
May the letters and values of the Torah be reflected in your words and deeds.
May God bless us as we bless one another with these 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
MONTH OF ELUL
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.
SELICHOT
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. This year, as part of our 140th Anniversary activities, we shall venture off-site for a special evening at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance. This evening is open to the entire community. Join us for a Selichot program and Service of Forgiveness at the Museum of Tolerance, 226 East 42nd Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues)
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.
High Holy Day Services - Explained
Each Service is meaningful and spiritually moving. Tickets are required for members and guests for all Services, except for afternoon Kidz Services, Tashlich, Rosh HashanahLIVE (2nd Day—new this year) and Yom Kippur Afternoon/Yizkor Memorial/Neilah Service.
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, at 6pm. For Yom Kippur Afternoon/Yizkor/Neilah, we again worship all together in the Sanctuary 3:00-6:15 pm.
High School Teen Service
This informal Service & Program is led by our High School Youth Group, ManhaTI, for our 9th-12th Grades on both Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre. All teens & their friends are welcome.
Teen Services
These informal services and programs, catering to the 7th-8th grades and 9th-12th grades, take place on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Led by a combination of Danielle Black (Youth Director) and the High School Youth Group “ManhaTI,” these are interactive, musical and unconventional High Holy Day programs – expect the unexpected!
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.
Pre-enrollment for the Youth Services is required. Tickets 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 a brief, beautiful service for this moving ritual. We meet at Carl Schurz Park @ 86th Street on Rosh Hashanah Day afternoon.
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 intergenerational services with our entire Clergy, Staff & Children’s Choir. Kidz Services are held on Rosh Hashanah Day and Yom Kippur Day.
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 Healing Service is for you.
Ticket Information
Tickets will mailed to members in good standing beginning August 29 until September 19. 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 - $425
∙Rosh Hashanah only - $275
∙Yom Kippur only - $275
Non-Member Seats (available for purchase by Non Temple Israel Members)
∙Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur - $550
∙Rosh Hashanah only - $300
∙Yom Kippur only - $300
Location of Guest & Non-Member seats cannot be guaranteed. Non-members may apply their ticket purchase amount towards their membership dues for the 2011-2012 year if they join immediately after the High Holy Days. Tickets are non-refundable nor transferrable.
Temple Israel invites all those unaffiliated to become part of our community through membership. Please contact Membership Director at 212-249-5000 for further information. Our Rabbis are also available to meet with you.
Will-Call
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.
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 arosenberg@tinyc.org and let us know.
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 5772
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 3 of the High Holy Day Update Form. 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
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 and empty it in the TI Lobby from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. (Box collections will also occur at Chanukah and Purim, as well as TI Mitzvah Day.)
The monies go to the TI Tzedakah Fund to help the hungry and the needy in our community, 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 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.
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Youth Services
With members of our Clergy team, this interactive, age-appropriate service for 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.
Pre-enrollment is required. Tickets will be distributed and are required for these services.
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Toddler & Children’s Program
For children ages 2- 4 years old, professional babysitting will be provided. Children in Pre-K-4th grade are also eligible for this program, 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 children) are enjoying their own High Holy Day experience. There is no fee for this program but advanced 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 27 will be assessed a $25 late fee for each child regardless if there is a nanny or child care provider present. There will also be a $25 charge if reservations aren’t cancelled 48 hours prior to services.
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:
For more information about our Toddler & Children’s Program or our Youth Services please contact Sharrye Moore at 212-249-5002 or smoore@tinyc.org.
Begin the New Year Celebrating Together
The Board of Trustees invites you to join us...
- With a special Rosh Hashanah Kiddush/Reception immediately following services at 7:30pm on Rosh Hashanah Eve.
- In celebration of Rosh Hashanah Second Day/ Rosh HashanahLIVE we will have a festive Kiddush in the Courtyard.
- 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 Congregational Break Fast Reception immediately following at 6:15pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have tickets to the Ballroom 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 & Rosh Hashanah Second Day/Rosh HashanahLIVE will need a High Holy Day ticket.
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.
Is there a charge for the Children and Toddler’s Program?
No, Temple Israel is happy to provide free, quality babysitting to our members. Reservations are required. Cancellation must be received by the Temple office 48 hours prior to services to avoid a $25 cancellation fee.
What is the difference between Services in the Sanctuary & Ballroom?
Sanctuary worship includes the majestic sounds of our professional choir while Ballroom worship incorporates contemporary, participatory music with professional musicians. Both services use the same prayerbook and are appropriate for ages 3rd grade and older.
High Holy Days at a Glance
Special Selichot - Saturday, September 24
@ the Museum of Tolerance - 226 East 42nd Street b/w 2nd & 3rd
Program & Reception | 7:30pm
Service of Forgiveness | 9:30-10:30pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah - Wednesday, September 28
Worship in the Sanctuary | 6:00pm
Teen Service & Program (9th - 12th Grades) | 6:00 - 7:30pm | Chapel
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 5:30 - 8:00pm
Rosh Hashanah Eve Reception | Courtyard | 7:30pm
Rosh Hashanah First Day - Thursday, September 29
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 10:00 am
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 9:30am - 12:30pm
7th & 8th Grade Program | Youth Lounge/Room 63
Breakfast | 10:30am
Service & Program | 10:45am - 12:15pm
Youth Service (3rd—6th Grades) | prior enrollment is required
Early Service | Chapel | 9:45 am - 11:05am
Late Service | Chapel | 11:15am – 12:30pm
Kidz Service | Pre-K to Grade 3| Sanctuary | 2:45pm
Tashlich Carl Schurz Park | 86th Street | 4:30pm
New Rosh HashanahLIVE/Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day - Friday, September 30
Rosh HashanahLIVE musical service | Main Sancutuary| 10:00-11:30am
Rosh Hashanah Kidz Concert with "Shira and Friends"| 10:00-11:30am | Ballroom
Informal Kiddush Lunch | 11:30am
Kol Nidre –Friday, October 7
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 8:00pm
Teen Service & Program (9th - 12th Grades) | Chapel | 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 7:30 -10:00pm
Yom Kippur Day – Saturday, October 8
Worship in the Sanctuary & Ballroom | 10:00am
Toddler & Children’s Program | 4th & 6th Floors | 9:30am - 6:45pm
Youth Service (3rd—6th Grades) | prior enrollment required
Early Service | Chapel | 9:45 am - 11:05am
Late Service | Chapel | 11:15am – 12:30pm
7th & 8th Grade Program | Youth Lounge/Room 63 | 10:30am - 12:15pm
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
Tuesday, October 11
Religious School (1st - 3rd Grades) Pizza in the Hut | 5:00pm
Wednesday, October 12
Religious School (1st - 6th Grades) Pizza in the Hut | 5:00pm
Thursday, October 13
Sukkot Service followed by breakfast in the Sukkah | 8:30am
Tot Sukkot | 9:30am
Monday, October 17
Religious School (Kindergarten) | Pizza in the Hut |5:00pm
7th & 8th Grade (TIDYES) |Sushi in the Sukkah | 5:45 - 7:00pm
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Wednesday, October 19
Simchat Torah Celebration | 5:00 pm
Thursday, October 20
Simchat Torah and Yizkor Service followed by breakfast | 8:30 am