High Holy Days
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 ...
Join Our Community-Wide Writing Project
This Elul, we invite you to join our community-wide writing project and share your reflections. We ask you to respond to the simple, yet profound, ...
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
-
- 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
-
- 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 ...
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
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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.
Preparing the Heart: An Elul Gathering with Aviv
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetThe weeks before the High Holy Days offer an opportunity to slow down and reflect. 20s + 30s are invited to join us for an evening of singing and journaling as we prepare to enter the season with intention.
Elul Learning with the BJ Rabbis
Venue: Remote Access OnlyAs we prepare for the High Holy Days, join Rabbis Felicia Sol, Becca Weintraub, and Alex Braver as they explore the texts and ideas shaping their own journeys through Elul. Study together, reflect deeply, and prepare for the possibility of teshuvah and transformation.
BJ Selihot Experience
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetDedicated in loving memory of Bob Owens by his family, we gather on the threshold of the High Holy Days for an evening of music, prayer, poetry, meditation, and reflection, opening our hearts through Selihot liturgy and soulful spiritual practices.
Community-Wide Learning & Tashlikh
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel & Riverside ParkExperience the ritual of Tashlikh, a symbolic casting away of the year’s hardships and misdeeds. Begin at the BJ Community House with reflection and preparation for the new year, then we’ll walk to the Hudson River for Tashlikh.
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.