Happy New Year! This year Rosh Hashanah begins Monday, September 22 and Yom Kippur begins Wednesday, October 1. We’re looking forward to celebrating the new year together.
The Grad Network is offering a variety of experiences for High Holiday observance. Choose from the menu of options below to craft a holiday celebration that is meaningful to you!
Each care package contains treats for a sweet new year, as well as ritual items to support your Rosh Hashanah celebration. This gift is made possible thanks to the Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.
High Holiday Meals with The Grad Network
Cost should not be a barrier to participate. If you are unable to pay and would like to attend any of the experiences offered, please email Melissa, Director of The Grad Network.
High Holiday Services are Available at the Kraft Center
All Columbia graduate students are welcome to attend services with Columbia/Barnard Hillel at no cost. Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox services are available during both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Sign-up to receive more information about the services that most interest you.
If you would like to bring a non-Columbia guest to services, please purchase a subsidized High Holiday service ticket here.
Two ways to Tashlich
Tashlich is a custom of symbolically getting rid of our bad habit and mistakes from the past year by tossing small pieces of bread into moving waters. We have two opportunities to participate in the ritual and experience different parts of Manhattan.
Don't miss The Grad Network’s special high holiday tradition: Tashlich Kayaking! Participate in Tashlich while kayaking in the Hudson River! Space is limited. Advanced registration is required.
Reverse Tashlich provides an opportunity to come together and engage in a hands-on effort to remove plastic, trash, and other debris that threatens our water sources and planet's health. Join us to help clean up the ponds and streams in the park. Following the clean up, we will enjoy a picnic in the park.
Service Options for Graduate Students at Columbia and Teachers College
We will continuously update this section with more information, as it becomes available. If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, email Melissa, Director of The Grad Network. Melissa will help you find services and experiences that best fit how you want to observe.
If you would like to attend services and need assistance covering the cost of High Holiday tickets, you are welcome to apply for a Meaningful Jewish Experience Grant from The Grad Network.
B’nai Jeshurun Aviv High Holiday Services & Meals for 20s & 30s
B’nai Jeshurun invites you to embark on a social and spiritual journey with folks in their 20s & 30s at BJ’s Aviv High Holy Day services. This is a time to engage in self-discovery and spiritual transformation as we reflect upon this past year and imagine the ways we will create together in 5786.
These offerings feature the elevated musical services and progressive values BJ is known for, with a focus on the unique journey we’re on at this phase of our lives. Whether you're seeking meaningful reflection, vibrant community, or inspiring worship, our Aviv services offer something special for everyone in their 20s and 30s.
Membership at BJ is not required for participation.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom [20s&30s] Rosh Hashanah Service
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah 5786 with Sholom 20s & 30s on September 22! Led by Rabbi Deborah Goldberg and Cantor Stefano Iacono, this musical and joyful service will leave you feeling renewed and inspired. Afterward, join us for a wine and dessert reception where we can toast the new year and connect with one another.
This community service is open to anyone in their 20s and 30s who is looking for a welcoming and uplifting way to start the new year, no matter your background or level of observance.
We are committed to making this experience accessible to everyone. If cost is a barrier, please email Rabbi Deborah Goldberg to discuss reduced ticket pricing.
Friday Night Hub Rosh Hashanah Dinner
A special Rosh Hashanah dinner for young professionals (ages 21–39). Registration includes dinner and a ticket to the Shir Chadash service.
Base UWS Erev Rosh Hashanah Services & Dinner for 20s & 30s
Join us in Central Park for an outdoor and musical Rosh Hashanah service, followed by a home-cooked and welcoming dinner at Base UWS at 7:30 p.m. We’ll bring in 5786 together with good vibes, song, and friends new and old.
Fort Tryon Jewish Center High Holiday Services for All Ages
As we read in the Book of Samuel on Rosh Hashanah, Hannah prayed from her heart. At FTJC we too strive to pray with Hannah's intensity and hope on the High Holidays. Together we can create a deep and joyful experience of realigning our lives and our relationships, to help us become the people we aspire to be. All ages celebrate together, with children and youth programming that includes services, activities, and childcare. High Holiday services are open to all and will be held at the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus at the corner of 181st Street and Fort Washington Ave.
Darkhei Noam High Holiday Services for All Ages
This year, Darkhei Noam's Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be held at PS 333: Manhattan School for Children (154 West 93rd Street). We are happy to be able to open to all who are interested in joining for a spiritual and spirited davening at Darkhei Noam.
JCC Harlem High Holiday Services for Adults & Families
We are thrilled to host open, inclusive, come-as-you-are High Holiday services and experiences with JCC Harlem rabbi-in-residence Mira Rivera, children's music educator Sara Sherman, and our wonderful partners. We hope you will find that there is something for everyone.
Kehillat Harlem High Holiday Services & Meals for Adults & Families
Kehillat Harlem is organizing services and meals for the High Holidays. Childcare will be provided during Shacharit and Musaf from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids' services will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Kehillat Harlem strives to make each person feel at home in its payer space by upholding our commitment to halachah (Jewish law) while working hard to hold a commitment to maximum inclusivity. The tefillot (prayer services) are liturgically traditional and there is a mehitza (separation between genders) while praying. Daveners (those who pray) sit in the section with which they identify, and Kehillat Harlem makes space for anyone who identifies outside of the gender binary. Tefillot are male-led and Torah reading is open to community members of any gender identity to read.
Based in Harlem Rosh Hashanah Meals & Annual Tashlich + Shofar Service
Join Erica & Dimitry in their home for a festive meal on the first and second nights of Rosh Hashanah. We will celebrate, enjoy symbolic foods with a Rosh Hashanah seder, eat, and sing together!
First Night: 9/22, 7:30pm - RSVP
Second Night: 9/23, 8pm - RSVP
The annual Harlem Tashlich & Shofar Service will be 4:30 p.m. September 23 at the West Harlem Piers. On Rosh Hashanah we are invited to engage in self-examination. The blast of the shofar acts as a spiritual alarm clock, and the ritual of tashlich invites us to symbolically put things behind us by casting crumbs into the river. Join Harlem's Jewish community for a full shofar service and communal Tashlich ritual. RSVP.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom [20s&30s] Kol Nidre by Candleligh
This community service is open to anyone in their 20s and 30s who is looking for a welcoming and uplifting way to observe the beginning of Yom Kippur, no matter your background or level of observance.
Observe Yom Kippur 5786 with Sholom 20s and 30s! Join us for Kol Nidrei by Candlelight, a musical and reflective service that will leave you feeling inspired and connected. Led by Rabbi Deborah Goldberg along with other Congregation Rodeph Sholom clergy and staff, this meaningful service is created just for our 20s and 30s community.
We are committed to making this experience accessible to everyone. If cost is a barrier, please email Rabbi Deborah Goldberg to discuss reduced ticket pricing.
uws//jews Yom Kippur Services for Young Professional UWS Residents
Yom Kippur with uws//jews is geared towards young professional UWS residents (post college - age 35 & uws//jews alumni) seeking a meaningful and spiritually engaging Yom Kippur experience.
We seek to create a space to reflect on ourselves and our community, and we’ve gathered some great local talent to lead us with that goal in mind. Our minyan will take place this year in our rented larger space in the west 90s and will be an Orthodox service (with divrei torah given by both men and women), slow shira following Kol Nidrei, and a light break-fast afterwards!
Based in Harlem Yom Kippur Break Fast
We are delighted to welcome one and all to a communal Break Fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. The address will be shared by email with those who RSVP.
*You do not need to have fasted to join us. There are many important reasons one may elect not to fast, and if you are looking for support, guidance, or a listening ear in planning for Yom Kippur, please feel welcome to reach out to Rabbi Dimitry.