The Sacred Work of Being Human: Rosh Hashanah 5787 Sermons
Explore BJ’s Rosh Hashanah 5787 sermons and kavannot, with teachings from Rabbis Felicia Sol, Alex Braver, and Becca Weintraub. From reflections and blessings welcoming the ...
High Holy Days
Veye-etayu: The Dream of Universal Redemption
This High Holy Days, we will sing Veye-etayu, a beautiful piyyut imagining universal redemption, when all will serve God and “mountains will burst with song, ...
Mazal tov to our Simhat Torah honorees, Joyce Gottlieb and Belle Yoeli
This year, we are thrilled to honor Belle Yoeli and Joyce Gottlieb by naming them the Kallat Torah and Kallat Bereshit, respectively. Mazal tov to ...
With Gratitude to All Who Contributed this High Holy Days Season
Just a few days ago we ushered in the month of Heshvan, bidding farewell to Tishrei and all its beautiful holidays. With our hearts opened ...
Mazal tov to our Simhat Torah honorees, Judith Trachtenberg and Micah Torres Dicker!
This year, we are thrilled to honor Judith Trachtenberg and Micah Torres Dicker by naming them the Kallat Torah and Hatan Bereshit, respectively. Mazal Tov ...
Yom Kippur 5784 Streaming Links
Whether from nearby or across the globe, we know that many will be joining us online for the High Holy Day season, experiencing intimate moments ...
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the culmination of a 40-day-long process of teshuvah—shedding the dysfunctional patterns in our lives, making amends for our ...
Opening the Gates: Observing Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the pinnacle of our introspective season. Throughout Yom Kippur, you will encounter prayer services that have some familiar elements and others that ...
Digging Deeper: A Spiritual Accounting
Kol Nidre, the prayer that begins our Yom Kippur experience, is most well known for its iconic and haunting melody. The Book of Life is ...
Foundation: What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah not only marks the start of the Jewish year but also begins the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, a 10-day period that ...
Opening the Gates: Observing Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we use special greetings, we eat sweet foods, and we perform the ritual of tashlikh—symbolically casting away our sins.
Digging Deeper: Opening Our Hearts
Throughout the month of Elul, in the lead-up to the Yamim Nora’im, we engage in heshbon nefesh, reflecting on who we are and who we ...
Foundation: What is Elul?
During Elul, the Hebrew month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, we feel the spiritual ...
Opening the Gates: What is Heshbon Nefesh?
Heshbon Nefesh, literally “Accounting of the Soul,” is a process of introspection. It is a deep examination and a personal inventory of our behavior, motivations, ...
Digging Deeper: What is Teshuvah?
Often translated as “repentance,” teshuvah literally means “to return”: returning to the version of ourselves that is most true and holy, no matter how far ...
Digging Deeper: What is Psalm 27?
We recite Psalm 27 twice daily from the second day of Rosh Hodesh Elul through Shemini Atzeret. The psalm depicts a person of pure unwavering ...
With Gratitude to All Who Contributed this High Holy Days Season
We take a moment to pause and appreciate the hard work our many volunteers put into creating the High Holy Days at BJ.
With Gratitude to All Who Contributed this High Holy Days Season
We take a moment to pause and appreciate the hard work our many volunteers put into creating the High Holy Days at BJ.
Mazal Tov to our Kallat Torah and Hatan Bereshit, Dova Marder and Matan Marder Friedgood!
This year, we are thrilled to honor Dova Marder and Matan Marder Friedgood by naming them the Kallat Torah and Hatan Bereshit, respectively. Mazal Tov ...
Rosh Hashanah Kavannah
Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the previous year and contemplate changes for the upcoming one. As you light the Rosh Hashanah candles, ...
Rosh Hashanah Kavannah
Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the previous year and contemplate changes for the upcoming one. As you light the Rosh Hashanah candles, ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
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- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
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- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
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- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
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- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
-
- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Your Support Matters: Reflections from West Side Campaign Against Hunger
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- By Kiana Davis
BJ and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) have been longtime partners, bolstering each other’s efforts to address food insecurity on the Upper West ...
Find Your Way Home: A Reflective Journal for Elul
As we enter this month of reflection and essential spiritual work, we are excited to share Find Your Way Home: A Reflective Journal for Elul, ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
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- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
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- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
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- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
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- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
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- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Inspiration for Your High Holy Days Table
Jewish food links us to the past in a way that touches the soul and fills the belly. Whether it’s a brisket recipe passed down ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
What it Takes for BJ to be BJ
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- By Greenawalt
I continue to be both honored and humbled at the accomplishments of our special BJ community, including our dedicated spiritual leadership and staff. Thanks to ...
Recommitting to The Year of Environmental Teshuvah
-
- By Hazon
We are in a global environmental crisis. Jewish tradition compels us to respond. Now more than ever, we must stand up and assess the role ...
Round Challah for Rosh Hashanah
Looking for something fun to do to make your High Holy Days meals extra special? Why not bake some delicious round challah? The following recipe ...
Walk to Shul With Your Friends: Introducing Sidebar
Do you miss mingling with people at kiddush? Saying Shanah Tovah to your neighbors as you settle into your seat in the Sanctuary? We know ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
B’nai Jeshurun Invites Participation in Virtual High Holy Days Journey
Through its innovative Waze to the Light, guided, curated online programming and events created to engage the public in this year’s unique High Holy Days ...
Tuning our Souls for Teshuvah
This poetical and musical experience with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Lizzie Leiman Kraiem, Rabbi Uri Kroizer, Hazzan Yair Harel, and Dan Nadel (guitar) will engage us ...
Toward Shabbat: Shoftim
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- By Peter Geffen
After these many months of communal and personal isolation, we will soon greet a new Jewish year. These weeks before the High Holy Days are ...
Find Your Waze to the Light: Our High Holy Days Journey
Today is Rosh Hodesh Elul—the beginning of the month before the High Holy Days. So, as we do every year, our community embarks, individually and collectively, ...
High Holy Days Mahzorim and BJ Volunteer Opportunities
Learn about acquiring High Holy Days mahzorim (prayer books) and volunteering with BJ during the High Holy Days season.
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
Our High Holy Days Plans (2020)
And so while it is clear we cannot celebrate the Yamim Nora’im together in person this year, the BJ community will come together as one, ...
High Holy Days Events
High Holy Days 101
Explore the prayers, practices, and themes of the High Holy Days with Senior Rabbinic Fellow Joe Blumberg. Using Rabbi Alan Lew’s This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, discover new meaning and prepare for the Days of Awe through learning and discussion.
Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery with Dorot
Venue: DOROT Location: 171 W. 85th StreetCelebrate the season of renewal by delivering a festive Rosh Hashanah package to an older adult in Manhattan. Just one hour—and a friendly visit or phone call—can bring connection, joy, and companionship during the High Holy Days.
High Holy Day Bereavement Group: Night of Remembrance
Venue: Remote Access OnlyAs Yom Kippur approaches, BJ Social Worker Jane Blumenstein will lead a bereavement group for those who are experiencing the High Holy Days without a loved one. This event is for BJ members only. Please register in advance.
Returning with Intention: A Shabbat Shuvah Mindfulness Practice
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetOn Shabbat Shuvah, join BJ member Jonathan Silver for a guided mindfulness practice reflecting on return, renewal, and the spiritual work of the Ten Days of Awe.
Kol Nidre
Venue: Multiple LocationsJoin us for Kol Nidre, held in person in multiple locations on the Upper West Side.
Family-Friendly Kol Nidre
Venue: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Location: The Samuel Priest Rose Building, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th StreetJoin us for an uplifting Kol Nidre service, geared toward children 13 and under and their families—led by Rabbi Becca Weintraub and Rabbi Deena Cowans.
Yom Kippur Morning Services
Venue: Multiple LocationsJoin us for Yom Kippur morning services, held in person in multiple locations on the Upper West Side.
Early Childhood Service for Yom Kippur
Venue: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Location: The Samuel Priest Rose Building, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th StreetJoin us for Yom Kippur Early Childhood services—for children ages 6 and under and their families—led by Rabbi Becca Weintraub and Shira Averbuch.
Early Elementary Service for Yom Kippur
Venue: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Location: The Samuel Priest Rose Building, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th StreetJoin us for this engaging service for children 9 and under and their families—led by Rabbi Deena Cowans. Registration is required.
Family Service for Yom Kippur
Venue: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Location: The Samuel Priest Rose Building, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th StreetJoin us for an uplifting service geared toward children 13 and under and their families—led by Rabbi Becca Weintraub.
Seder Ha-Avodah
Venue: SPSA Sanctuary Location: 263 West 86th StreetJoin us for Seder Ha-Avodah, a short and powerful service, as we move through the afternoon of Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur Minha and Ne’ilah
Venue: Multiple LocationsJoin us for Minha and Ne’ilah services, the conclusion of Yom Kippur, held in person in multiple locations on the Upper West Side.