Shanah Tovah from JTS

The High Holidays are a time for reflection, family, and prayer. The Jewish Theological Seminary invites you to worship with us, share our good wishes for a sweet and joyous 5772, visit a slideshow of treasures from the collection of The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary, read High Holiday commentaries and essays by our leaders and world-renowned faculty, and join with us to prepare the next generation of Jewish leaders.

You may also want to visit 10Q for a modern, digital spin on the heshbon ha-nefesh.

Attend High Holiday Services at JTS

JTS offers different High Holiday services for different audiences. All reflect the diversity and devotion found in the Conservative Movement, at once spirited and serious, traditional and forward-thinking.

JTS services are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more and to register for reserved seating via our online registration form, visit our High Holiday service page.

High Holiday eCard

Click the image below to view our new High Holiday eCard as we share with you some of the many reasons why our future is so bright.

Commentaries, Essays, and Teachings for the High Holidays

"Every single word in the haunting prayer we call Kol Nidre speaks of selves who are the opposite of alone or isolated or autonomous. We are tied to one another by vows, renunciations, oaths, obligations, and promises. The liturgy is concerned that some of these bonds might strangle or paralyze us, and so get in the way of selfhood and community. We do not pray for an end to all obligation and responsibility. Quite the opposite. This is Judaism after all. We seek balance. Kol Nidre offers release in advance from vows to God and ourselves that we simply cannot keep, so that all the other promises we have made can remain intact—and so that we ourselves can remain intact."
— From Chancellor Eisen's Kol Nidrei message for last year.

Read commentaries on the High Holidays from years past by Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen and other members of the JTS faculty and administration.

"Fear, Faith, Horror Movies, and the Jewish New Year" by Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky (on JTA)

"Reflections on Eating (and Not Eating) During the High Holidays," by Dr. David Kraemer (on "The Jew and the Carrot")

As part of a video podcast seminar for rabbis covering a variety of Jewish topics and issues, hosted by Dr. David Kraemer, we offer the session on the High Holidays for your educational and viewing pleasure.

Library Images for the High Holidays: A Slideshow

The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary is a unique treasure-house of beauty and knowledge. Serving the students of JTS and scholars and researchers across the world, The Library is home to more than 400,000 volumes, making it the largest and most extensive collection of Hebraic and Judaic material in the western hemisphere—among The Library's holdings are woodcuts, illuminated manuscripts, and historic postcards, such as those included in this slideshow. Click the image.

Interactive Support for Introspection and Self-Reflection

"In the Jewish calendar, these ten days beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur have been dedicated to making amends between both God and humanity. The liturgical additions arouse repentance and rabbinic writings encourage each individual to take the time to do a heshbon ha-nefesh (accounting of the soul). For a modern spin," notes Rabbi Marc Wolf of JTS, the 10 questions of www.doyou10q.com "provides a different question each day for this introspection and self-reflection."