High Holy Days Guide

RETURN YOUR RENEWAL FORM

Special notices about reserving seats for the High Holy Days are sent with members’ annual dues statements, which are mailed in June each year (the start of our fiscal year). Renewal of reserved seating is automatic, BUT we ask that you return the renewal form included with your annual dues statement to confirm seats, release seats or make any other necessary changes. This ensures that we can accommodate new members as well as others who wish to update their accounts.

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

Tickets for both reserved-seating and open-seating services during the High Holy Days will be required without exception for individuals and families. If you should lose your tickets in advance of a service, then please contact our Membership Office, and we will issue replacements. Membership staff will be on-site during High Holy Days services to assist members who have misplaced tickets.

MEMBERSHIP AT EMANU-EL

Persons wishing to become members of Temple Emanu-El and obtain seats for the High Holy Days first must complete a Temple Membership Application and Seating Preference Form. Current temple members must RENEW their temple affiliation. Each member with a seating reservation will receive a set of tickets for all services. Members who are not planning to use their assigned seats during the High Holy Days are asked to release their seats so that we can make the seats at those specific services available to guests from other Reform congregations or guests of Emanu-El congregants and their families.

As a member, your annual membership contribution is determined in part by the number of seats you require for the High Holy Days and their specific location, subject to availability. Pew Plans for both the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary and the Leon Lowenstein Sanctuary are available to help you complete the Seating Preference Form. Please note, we cannot guarantee that a requested seating assignment will be available on receipt of your application. However, if we are unable to provide seating in the section requested, your name will be placed on a waiting list, and temporary seating will be provided for you until your preferred seating becomes available. Please be assured that we always will have room for you and your family members in one of the congregation’s two sanctuaries.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE

This year, all will come together with the full clergy in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur afternoon services, including the solemn Yizkor Memorial Service and inspirational N’Ilah Concluding Service. If your seats are in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary, please confirm your attendance for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur afternoon services and your seats will be honored; if you do not plan to attend either of those services, we ask that you let us know so those seats can be reassigned. If your seats are in the Lowenstein Sanctuary, please confirm whether you plan to attend these services so tickets can be issued to you in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary. To best serve all who plan to attend, we ask that you inform us of your plans by returning the membership renewal form that arrived with your billing statement and which is available online, or by calling (212) 507-9514.

For members with children between 2 and 5 years of age, we will be offering childcare for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning services. This amenity is complimentary, but space is limited. Parents must register by 5 PM on September 8. If you register and your needs should change, then please notify the Membership Office so we may reach out to those on the waiting list. Complete our online registration »

Members wanting guest tickets for High Holy Day services must call (212) 507-9514. There is a $150 processing fee per guest, per holiday.

In addition to our formal High Holy Days services in the Fifth Avenue and Leon Lowenstein sanctuaries, Temple Emanu-El offers open seating at several other services appropriate for adults and children alike. Tickets are available at no extra charge for temple members.

College students, both temple members and nonmembers, who do not already have seats are invited to join us for High Holy Days services in the Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street). Students must present a current college ID on the day of the service to enter.

We also host community worship services, open to the public in I.M. Wise Hall (One East 65th Street), that feature livestreamed video from the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary services. No tickets needed.

All questions regarding seating and tickets should be directed to the Membership Office.