Shanah tovah! We are excited to celebrate the High Holidays with you! Check this page often for schedules, youth programming information, and where to stream services. The entire Park Avenue Synagogue team wishes you a healthy, fulfilling 5782.
New This Year
Registration and Tickets
Our ability to safely hold in-person services will depend on a partnership between PAS and our members in following our protocols, consistent with public health guidance, to minimize risk and keep our members safe as we gather in community. This year, a key part of these protocols is the need for advance planning, and thus registration is required for all services. All members – no matter which service you usually attend – must complete the registration. Registration is now closed, but you may contact Rachel Zorbaron with questions.
Tickets for in-person worship will be emailed to all members who completed registration and are in good standing to the email address(es) you indicated in your registration form the week of August 30.
Mahzors
Hold the Book!
High Holiday mahzors are available to PAS members in three ways! Questions? Contact Allen Paisner.
- DOWNLOAD A DIGITAL COPY
- PURCHASE a physical copy from the Rabbinical Assembly
Those who are not PAS members may purchase a DIGITAL COPY OF THE MAHZOR from the Rabbinical Assembly.
Youth and Family mahzors are also available online! Download them for our virtual Young Family and Family Services.
- Young Family Services (Ages 0–5): MAHZOR FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
- Family Services (Gr K–5): MAHZOR FOR YOUTH
Your High Holiday Journey
CALENDAR OF HOLIDAYS
- Selihot – Sat evening / Aug 28
- Erev Rosh Hashanah – Mon / Sep 6
- Rosh Hashanah, First Day – Tue / Sep 7
- Rosh Hashanah, Second Day – Wed / Sep 8
- Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidrei – Wed / Sep 15
- Yom Kippur – Thu / Sep 16
IN-PERSON VENUES
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Park Avenue Synagogue will hold High Holiday services in three main locations. In addition to the Sanctuary located at 50 East 87th Street, we will also hold services in the Lower Level at 50 East 87th Street, and at the Church of the Heavenly Rest located at Fifth Avenue at 90th Street. PAS clergy will lead services in all three venues over the course of the High Holidays.
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
Young Family Education and Family Services will now be a fully virtual service that may be watched on PAS CONNECT. Pre-Teen Services (Grade 7) will take place at the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center located at 11 E. 89th Street and will also be offered virtually via Zoom. Teen services (Grades 8-12) will be held in the the chapel at the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center. You can expect an email from the Youth team the week of September 13 for details on Zoom.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
| Selihot Night Sat / Aug 28 ~ 20 Elul You may register to attend, watch on PAS CONNECT, or Livestream. |
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| 7:15 pm | Selihot Learning: Deep Dive Into Forgiveness | |
| 8:00 pm | Selihot Service | |
| Erev Rosh Hashanah Mon / Sep 6 ~ 29 Elul 87th Street, PAS CONNECT, and Livestream |
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| 6:00 pm | Minha/Ma'ariv (Sanctuary by RSVP) | |
| Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Tue / Sep 7 ~ 1 Tishrei 87th Street, Fifth Avenue, PAS CONNECT, and Livestream. Service to take place in your ticketed location unless noted otherwise below in parentheses. |
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| 8:30 am | Traditional Shaharit | |
| 9:30 am | Main Service Begins (Torah Service) | |
| 10:00 am | Communal Moment: Shofar | |
| 10:45 am | Sermon | |
| 1:15 pm | Outdoor Shofar Blast (87th Street, outside Sanctuary doors) | |
| 5:00 pm | Taschlich (Central Park, 90th Street, and 5th Avenue and Carl Shurz Park at 87th and East End) | |
| 6:00 pm | Minha/Ma'ariv (Third Floor Chapel) | |
| Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Wed / Sep 8 ~ 2 Tishrei 87th Street, Fifth Avenue, PAS CONNECT, and Livestream. Service to take place in your ticketed location unless noted otherwise below in parentheses. |
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| 8:30 am | Traditional Shaharit | |
| 9:30 am | Main Service Begins (Torah Service) | |
| 10:00 am | Communal Moment: Shofar | |
| 10:45 am | Sermon | |
| 1:00 pm | Outdoor Shofar Blast (87th Street, outside Sanctuary doors) | |
| 5:45 pm | Minha/Ma'ariv (Livestream) | |
| Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidrei Wed / Sep 15 ~ 10 Tishrei 87th Street, Fifth Avenue, PAS CONNECT, and Livestream. Service to take place in your ticketed location unless noted otherwise below in parentheses. |
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| 6:15 pm | Minha (Livestream or Zoom) | |
| 6:45 pm | Kol Nidrei | |
| Yom Kippur Thu / Sep 16 ~ 10 Tishrei 87th Street, Fifth Avenue, PAS CONNECT, and Livestream. Service to take place in your ticketed location unless noted otherwise below in parentheses. |
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| 8:30 am | Traditional Shaharit | |
| 9:30 am | Main Service Begins (Torah Service) | |
| 10:30 am | Sermon (Sanctuary and Fifth Avenue) | |
| 11:00 am | Sermon (Lower Level) | |
| 1:00 pm | Yizkor | |
| 2:00 pm | The State of the World: Dr. Richard Haass and Rabbi Cosgrove in Dialogue | |
| 3:00 pm | Ark Visits | |
| 4:30 pm | Minha and Learning Session: The Book of Jonah (Sanctuary) | |
| 5:45 pm | Ne'ilah (Sanctuary) | |
| 6:00 pm | Ne'ilah (Lower Level and Fifth Avenue) | |
| 7:43 pm | Shofar | |
Times for sermons and for shofar are approximate. There will be no seating during sermons and the chanting of Kol Nidrei.
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all who are eligible. Proof of vaccination will be required to attend High Holiday services. You may upload proof to your High Holiday registration form, or you must show a photo of your card or Excelsior Pass to enter.
All attendees are required to wear masks at all times will inside Park Avenue Synagogue buildings. While we are excited to come together in-person for the High Holidays, If you forget your mask, do not worry, PAS will have disposable masks on site as a courtesy.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days or are feeling ill, please stay home and watch services online.
Please complete Park Avenue Synagogue’s health screening up to two hours before joining us each day of the holidays. You can access it at www.pasyn.org/healthscreen.
Additionally, since the High Holidays are early this year, we anticipate using our air conditioning during services. Please make sure to bring a light jacket or sweater to ensure your comfort.
TICKETS AND SEATING
Tickets are required for all in-person services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.
We will issue the following types of tickets:
- Bet member tickets for reserved seats in the Sanctuary (50 East 87th Street).
- Bet member tickets for reserved seats in the Lower level (50 East 87th Street).
- Aleph member tickets for unreserved seats at Fifth Avenue (Fifth Avenue at 90th Street)
- Pre-Teen tickets for Grades 7 & 8 services at the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center (11 E. 89th Street)
Members can expect their High Holiday tickets to arrive in their email inbox the week of August 30. All tickets will be scanned upon arrival to service locations. If you completed your High Holiday registration, your tickets will scan with your provided vaccine details and allow you enter locations with ease. If you did not complete the High Holiday registration form, you will still receive your High Holiday tickets but will need to bring a copy of your vaccine verification with you each day that you are attending in person worship.
Teens, and pre-teens will arrive along with adult tickets to the email addresses provided on registration forms. When you receive your tickets you will also receive your day/time assignment for services. These assignments are based upon the preferences provided on the registration and when we received your form. We understand that the limitations of this year are difficult for all of our community, especially our youngest members, and appreciate your understanding as we work to provide participation safely.
If you did not complete the registration form and would like to attend Pre-teen and Teen Services, please write to Rabbi Charlie Savenor. While we are currently at capacity for Pre-Teen and Teen Services, we will be keeping a waitlist and are happy to accommodate families should a spot for in person attendance open.
The last day to make a membership payment or make a financial accommodation and guarantee members receive their High Holiday tickets is Friday, August 20. Payments will still be accepted for membership after August 20 but will only apply for yearly membership and participation. Payment information can be found within your billing statement. If have questions, please contact our accounting office at 212-369-2600 or pas-billing@pasyn.org.
If you have any questions about tickets, or ticket reservations, please email Rachel Zorbaron, Membership Director. Unfortunately, due to capacity restrictions related to COVID-19, we will not be able to offer guest and reciprocal tickets this year.
WILL CALL
If you registered for the High Holidays and your tickets do not arrive in your email inbox, or you do not have an email address on file with PAS, tickets will be printed and held at will call for collection ahead of services. Will call will only be holding tickets of members who have already registered. Due to social distancing registrations can be taken over the High Holidays. If you are a member collecting a will call ticket, on the first day of your in-person attendance, please head to your service location for collection of your tickets. Aleph members (unreserved seat holders) can collect tickets at the Fifth Avenue Location (Fifth Avenue at 90th Street. Bet members (reserved seat holders) can collect tickets at 50 E. 87th Street. Please note that your tickets are good for the whole of the High Holiday season.
STREAMING
Park Avenue Synagogue Sanctuary services are livestreamed through this website. Please note: By participating on the bimah in the Sanctuary, you are consenting to your image appearing on the live stream of the service. We invite you to view our services on PAS CONNECT or Livestream.
For the livestream schedule you may follow the Sanctuary Sanctuary service schedule.
5782 KOL NIDREI APPEAL
Support your Shul
As we enter into 5782 together, we ask that all members – those that have been here for one year or those that have been here for generations – to make the Kol Nidrei Appeal their philanthropic priority at Park Avenue Synagogue. Your support of our annual effort allows us to remain mission focused, no matter what.
Our collective generosity is needed to move our community forward. Kadima, the Hebrew word for forward, is the theme for this year’s Kol Nidrei Appeal. Together we are on a journey to lead passion-filled Jewish lives – lives filled with compassion, reverence, and joy. Together we look forward to our shared future.
YOUTH SERVICES
All Youth Services for members will be virtual. This is an adjustment from our previous plans for in-person Youth Services. Members can expect login details the week of August 30.
COLLEGE AGE MEMBERS
Fifth Avenue Members who are ages 18–23 and do not have a reserved seat are invited to attend the Fifth Avenue services. While in past years this demographic was not required to present a ticket to the Fifth Avenue service, this year we will only be able to admit those have registered and received tickets. Each household’s registration form will have a space to indicate whether members ages 18–23 will require a Fifth Avenue ticket. PAS will then issue tickets to those members during the ticketing process.
GRADES 7 and 8–12: PRE–TEEN AND TEEN SERVICES
Youth in grades 7 and 8–12 are invited to interactive pre-teen/teen services and learning opportunities with schmoozing to follow. All in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated and demonstrate proof of vaccination.
Contact Elana Kinger-Rogers with any questions about grades 7.
Contact Rachel Sher with any questions about grades 8–12.
| Rosh Hashanah, First Day Tue / Sep 7 |
Rosh Hashanah, Second Day Wed / Sep 8 |
Yom Kippur Thu / Sep 16 |
| Gr 7 / Service 10:00–12:00 pm 89th Street Chapel and Zoom |
Gr 7 / Service 10:00–12:00 pm 89th Street Chapel and Zoom |
Gr 7 / Service 10:00–12:00 pm 89th Street Room 3A and Zoom |
| Gr 8–12 / Service 10:00–11:45 am 3rd Floor Chapel |
Gr 8–12 / Service 10:00–11:45 am 3rd Floor Chapel |
Gr 8–12 / Service 10:00–11:45 am 89th Street Chapel |
| Gr 8–12 / Sermon Schmooze 1:00–1:45 pm Zoom |
Gr 8–12 / Sermon Schmooze 1:00–1:45 pm Zoom |
Gr 8–12 / Sermon Schmooze 1:00–1:45 pm Zoom |
GRADES K–6: VIRTUAL FAMILY SERVICES
Children in grades K–6 and their families are invited to Family Services virtually on PAS CONNECT.
Contact Melissa Silver Cohavi at MSCohavi@pasyn.org or 212-369-2600, x185 with any questions.
| Rosh Hashanah, First Day Tue / Sep 7 |
Rosh Hashanah, Second Day Wed / Sep 8 |
Yom Kippur Thu / Sep 16 |
| 9:00–10:00 am | 9:00–10:00 am | 9:00–10:00 am |
GRADES K–6 VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
In addition to the Family Service, Park Avenue Synagogue will provide virtual programming for all K–6 members. NO RSVP is needed. Zoom passwords were emailed to families on Wednesday, September 15.
Contact Jessie Lavintman with any questions.
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AGES 0-5: YOUNG FAMILY EDUCATION SERVICES
For our youngest members, ages zero to five, Grammy-winner Joanie Leeds will lead a virtual service via Zoom. You can expect an email from Young Family Education with Zoom details the week of August 30.
Contact Jamie Diamond with any questions.
| Rosh Hashanah, First Day Tue / Sep 7 |
Rosh Hashanah, Second Day Wed / Sep 8 |
Yom Kippur Thu / Sep 16 |
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Service |
Service 9:15–10:00 am Zoom |
Service 9:15–10:00 am Zoom |
INCLUSION ON THE HIGH HOLIDAYS
Park Avenue Synagogue strives to be an inclusive community. We are interested in discussing with you any accommodations you might need to make your involvement at PAS more comfortable. If you have any questions please contact Rabbi Zuckerman.
Shireinu Rosh Hashanah
Wed / Sep 8 / 12:00–12:45 pm / Online Zoom. Registration required.
Ready to welcome in the new year with Shireinu? Don’t miss out on this inclusive service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
A few things to know in advance:
- Prior to and following the service, everyone will be unmuted so we can communicate with voices and noise. During the service, everyone will be muted in order to reduce extra noise.
- People can communicate without voice using ASL or typing in the Zoom chat box during the service.
- During the service, we will be telling a Rosh Hashanah story. If you have objects that remind you of this new year, please bring them and show us as we tell the story!
- Since we won’t be able to hand out instruments in person, if you have a way you like to make music, please bring it into the service.
- Instead of a quiet room, please feel free to adjust the volume of your phone/tablet/computer if it ever feels too loud.
Shireinu has been working to widen the spiritual doors of belonging to families of all needs for more than 12 years.
FAQS: SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING
Q: Are Park Avenue Synagogue High Holiday services in person or virtual this year?
A: Both! Park Avenue Synagogue is offer all members who worship in the Sanctuary, Lower Level and Fifth Avenue in-person worship. Members must be in good standing to participate during in-person services. Vibrant virtual experiences will continue to be offered for all services.
Q: Will I need to register to attend services?
A: Yes. This year, a key part of these protocols is the need for advance planning and thus registration is required for all services. By mid-July, members will receive a registration form to attend High Holiday services. All members – no matter which service you usually attend – must complete the registration form by Monday, August 9.
Q: Will Park Avenue Synagogue offer youth services?
A: Yes! Young Family Education and the Family Service will be offered virtually. The Family Service will be available on PAS CONNECT and Livestream while the Young Family Education service will be available via Zoom. Pre-Teens (Grade 7) are being offered hybrid experiences.Fully vaccinnated Teens are invited to join for in person worship.
Q: Who can participate in Park Avenue Synagogue High Holiday services?
A: Many of our virtual experiences will be open to everyone with internet access! For in-person experiences, due to safety protocols, only members in good financial standing who are vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to register to receive tickets for in-person services. A full schedule of offerings will be available here later in the summer.
Q: What are Park Avenue Synagogue's plans for COVID-19 testing and vaccine verification?
A: All members eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine entering any Park Avenue Synagogue service space will have to provide proof of vaccination.
Q: Am I able to purchase a guest or reciprocal ticket for my family member or friend who is not a current Park Avenue Synagogue member?
A: No. Unfortunately, as we aim to accommodate current resident members first, we are unable to accommodate requests for reciprocal and guest tickets this year. We understand that this is a hardship for many and look forward to being able to reinstate our previous policy next year. If you would like to become a member, please complete our online membership form by August 13, 2021.
FAQS: MEMBERSHIP
Q: I’d like to become a member and partake in in person services!
A: We’re always happy to welcome new members to the community! While priority for High Holiday tickets will be given to current resident members, we accept new Aleph (unreserved seats) members throughout the year. Only new members who have joined and completed their membership payments by August 13, 2021 will be able to request participation for in-person experiences.
Q; How can I make sure my membership is in good financial standing?
A: All Park Avenue Synagogue members receive a monthly invoice for their account. The first statements of the new Park Avenue Synagogue membership year arrived on May 19. PAS asks that all members either make payments or other financial accommodations with us by August 20, 2021.
Q: How can I submit a payment or make a financial accommodation?
A: Payment information can be found with your billing statement. If you have questions, please contact our accounting office at 212-369-2600 or pas-billing@pasyn.org.
We understand that this has been a challenging time for many. To make private financial accommodations, please contact Rachel Zorbaron, Director of Membership by August 20, 2021.