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High Holidays

High Holidays 5786-2025

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.

How to Join Us for the High Holidays

Our High Holiday services are open to all, and all are welcome.

We will celebrate the holidays in our current rental home at the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus at the corner of 181st Street and Fort Washington Ave. All services and children's programming will take place there. 

If you’re a member, as in prior years, High Holiday attendance is included with your membership, and registration for High Holidays is not required. There are no seating assignments. Please renew your membership here.

Members who wish to bring guests are welcome to do so. Please be sure they pre-register here on our non-member pre-registration form, with suggested donation as described below.

Ready to become a new member? Inquire about membership here! 

If you are not yet a member and aren't ready to become one, that's OK too! However, you must pre-register here. We ask non-members to make a donation when registering, if you can. We depend primarily on community support for our programming, including High Holiday services, and we thank you in advance for your generosity. Our standard recommended donation is $180 per person, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you would like to discuss an alternative donation arrangement, please e-mail operations@ftjc.org.

 
Community-Wide Celebrations
 
Shofar in Bennett Park
Tuesday September 23, 3:00 PM
 

Shofar will be sounded for the community at large by members of FTJC, the Beis Community, and the Hebrew Tabernacle. A joyful neighbor hood gathering, with thirty blasts to fulfill your mitzvah to hear shofar on Rosh Hashanah. 

Tashlich at the Little Red Lighthouse
Tuesday September 23, 4:00 PM
 

FTJC and our neighbors at the Beis Community and Mount Sinai Jewish Center will meet at the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge at the edge of the Hudson River. Please bring your own bread and some for others! Rain date: Wednesday September 24.

Community Picnic on Second Day
Wednesday September 24, 2:00-4:00 PM
 

After second day services, all are welcome to bring their lunch to the Cafe Lawn in Fort Tryon Park.
 

Kol Nidrei Food Drive

FTJC will be collecting food donations for the Community Fridge at the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus, and financial donations for the kosher food pantry at the Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights-Inwood. Bins will be available at Kol Nidrei (and all of Yom Kippur) for nutritious food items -- including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged please to avoid crushing -- that we will deliver to the Community Fridge on 181st Street after the holiday. Grab an extra can or box from your pantry shelves or add something to your shopping cart. Financial donations to the JCC-WHI may be made here. As we prepare for the fast day of Yom Kippur, let's remember to help those who struggle to put food on their plates. Thank you for participating in this important mitzvah.
 

Schedule of Prayer Services 

Enter the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus via the gate at the corner of Fort Washington Avenue and West 181st Street.

SERVICE DAY TIME
Selichot Saturday September 13 11:30 PM
Rosh Hashanah – Minchah/Ma'ariv Monday September 22 6:30 PM
Rosh Hashanah – Shacharit/Musaf Tuesday September 23 8:30 AM
Shofar in Bennett Park Tuesday September 23 3:00 PM
Tashlich at the Little Red Lighthouse Tuesday September 23 4:00 PM
Rosh Hashanah – Minchah/Ma'ariv Tuesday September 23 6:30 PM
Rosh Hashanah – Shacharit/Musaf Wednesday September 24 8:30 AM
Community Picnic in Fort Tryon Park, Cafe Lawn Wednesday September 24 2:00 PM
Rosh Hashanah – Minchah/Ma'ariv Wednesday September 24 6:30 PM
Tzom Gedaliah- Shacharit Thursday September 25 7:00 AM
Yom Kippur – Kol Nidrei/Ma'ariv Wednesday October 1 Seating at 5:30 PM; Service begins at 6:00 PM
Yom Kippur – Shacharit/Musaf (with Yizkor) Thursday October 2 8:00 AM
Yom Kippur – Minchah Thursday October 2 4:15 PM
Yom Kippur – Ne'ilah Thursday October 2 5:45 PM;
Fast ends at 7:15 PM
Yom Kippur- Ma'ariv Thursday October 2 7:15 PM



 

Shiur between Minchah/Ma'ariv on Tuesday September 23, with Rabbi Jill Jacobs:
Topic to come.
Description to come. Rabbi Jill Jacobs is a longtime member of the FTJC community and serves as CEO of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.

Shiur between Minchah/Ma'ariv on Wednesday September 24, with Ruth Engel:
Topic to come.
Description to come. Ruth Engel serves as FTJC's student clergy intern and is a fourth-year cantorial student at JTS.

Resources for the High Holidays

 
Video Recordings of High Holiday Highlights
Enjoy moving and joyful highlights recorded by beloved FTJC prayer leaders, plus Torah readings from the scroll, and shofar! All videos are posted here.
 
The Book of Jonah, Kids' Edition
Click here for a video of the story of Jonah starring FTJC's former youth director, Mira Kessler.
 

 

Good to Know for Your Access, Comfort, and Participation:

  • All entrances, levels of the building, and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. An elevator is available to move between floors. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please contact operations@ftjc.org.
  • For all services and children's programming, please enter via the gate on the corner of Fort Washington Avenue and West 181st Street, then pass through the glass Atrium. The Fellowship Hall is directly ahead through the Atrium.
  • A section of seating in the Fellowship Hall will be designated as mask-required. High-quality masks will be available in the Atrium at the entrance.
  • Men's and women's restrooms, on the basement level, are accessible by stairs or elevator. A single-user all-gender bathroom is to the left of the Fellowship Hall. Most bathroom fixtures on the first floor and basement level are operated manually, not with motion sensors. Most bathrooms have diaper changing tables.
  • When infants or small children need a break, the Nursery is available, located in the first-floor classroom hallway, as well as the Garden.
  • For a quiet calming space, the Atrium and Garden are available, as is the basement lobby near the bathrooms.
  • For a place to discreetly eat or drink if you are unable to or should not fast on Yom Kippur due to medical conditions, eating disorders, or other factors, the Atrium and Garden are available, as is the basement lobby near the bathrooms. If you have questions about fasting, please contact Rabbi Guy Austrian, rabbi@ftjc.org.
  • Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are welcome anywhere. Other kids’ snacks should not be eaten in community prayer spaces, please.
  • Greeters will be near the entry to help you find anything.
  • Children must be supervised by grownups at all times--either family, childcare staff, or program leaders--due to the high volume of people and programming. Please explain this to your children in advance. Thank you.
  • A booklet will be available with service times, service outlines, sermons, readings, and more.
  • Feel free to bring a cushion if it will help you sit for long periods.
  • Feel free to bring a book or other reading to help you enter the spirit of reflection and teshuvah of the holidays!
Mon, September 15 2025 22 Elul 5785