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Jewish Latin Princess

NYC shuls for High Holiday services and beyond

September 7, 2015 by Yael Leave a Comment

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B”H

I travelled to San Francisco last week and the neighborhood where I stayed reminded me of my days living in Manhattan’s Upper East side. Being away from home right at this time so close to Rosh Hashanah, also reminded me of a feeling of skepticism and uncertainty (ok maybe loneliness…?) right as the High Holidays would approach. Among friends, we usually made plans and sorted out the meal situation, but the services part always got a bit tricky. Even though there are so many options in the City, it wasn’t easy to find a place where one would feel totally comfortable. (Have you ever been in that situation?)

La semana pasada viaje a San Francisco por dos días. El vecindario donde me quede me recordó a mis días en el Upper East Side de Manhattan. Estar fuera de casa justo en esta época del año antes de Rosh Hashaná también me recordó al sentimiento de escepticismo e incertidumbre (¿soledad, tal vez?) al acercarse los Jagim. Entre mis amistades usualmente nos las arreglábamos para las comidas, pero la parte de los servicios religiosos como que era mas complicada. A pesar de que hay tantas opciones en la Ciudad, se nos hacia difícil encontrar un lugar en el cual nos sintiéramos verdaderamente cómodos. (¿Alguna vez se han sentido así?)

Since I know I have a few readers out there who live in the Big Apple, I decided to share some of the shuls that I discovered throughout my years there; and which made the “shul experience” more comfortable for me. In fact, my experiences and the positive associations that I drew from some of these shuls greatly contributed to my growth in learning and connection to Judaism.

Como se que tengo algunas lectoras en la Gran Ciudad, decidí compartir algunos de los lugares que descubrí durante mis años en Manhattan, en los cuales me sentí en casa, e hicieron de la experiencia del shul una mas cómoda y agradable. De hecho, mis experiencias en algunos de estas sinagogas y las asociaciones positivas que cree alrededor de ellas contribuyeron enormemente a mi crecimiento en aprendizaje y mi conección al judaísmo. 

msc

1- Manhattan Sephardic Congregation

This is a gem in the middle of Manhattan’s Upper East Side- unpretentious from the outside, yet incredibly majestic and warm inside. This beautiful and friendly community is led by my now dear friends Rabbi and Mrs. Benchimol, Morroccan and Venezuelan, respectively. If you’re used to Sephardic services, I know you will love it there; and even if you’re not, I have a feeling you will too ;-). They have extensive and amazing programing during the year, and Rabbi Benchimol’s classes are out of this world! In fact, my non-Sephardic husband had the privilege of spending a Shabbat there this past June and he said to me, “Yael, I would move to Manhattan just to be by Rabbi and Mrs. Benchimol.” I’m with him. ;-)

Este lugar es una joya en la mitad del Upper East Side de Manhattan- por afuera no pretencioso pero cuando entras increíblemente majestuoso y cálido. Esta linda y amigable comunidad es liderada por el Rabino y la Sra. Benchimol, de Marruecos y Venezuela, respectivamente. Si están acostumbradas a servicios Sefaradís, se que les va a encantar este shul; y si no conocen el estilo sefaradí, tengo la sensación de que igual les va a encantar ;-). Tienen programas super buenos y extensos y las clases del Rabino Benchimol son del mas alla. De hecho mi esposo estuvo allí para Shabbat este pasado junio y me dijo, “Yael, me mudaría a Manhattan solo para estar junto a los Benchimol.” ¡Sí, de acuerdo!

2- KJ’s High Holiday Beginners’ Services

High-Holiday-info-5776-FB

KJ’s High Holiday Beginners’ Services has a special place in my heart.  I also became a regular at their Beginners’ Shabbat service, and the rest is history.

Este servicio para principiantes tiene un lugar especial en mi corazón. Después de ir a los servicios de Rosh Hashaná y Yom Kippur, también comencé a ir a el servicio de Shabbat para principiantes. (El resto es básicamente historia.) 

If you get intimidated by the long prayer services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and would like to understand more of what is going on, in an orthodox setting, this is the perfect place for you. Mr. George Rohr started leading a warm and informative service in 1991 and he is still very much involved. This warm service will keep you coming back. It is that good!  Rabbi Eli Weinstock and others now help run this program, which has grown tremendously since it’s inception, yet mantains it’s initial focus as an inviting and educational service. (Read this Wednesday Wink to learn more about the Rohr family values which inspired launching programs like the Beginners’ Services.)

Si se sienten algo intimidadas (o perdidas) durante el largo servicio de Rosh Hashaná y Yom Kippur, y quieren entender un poco mas lo que está sucediendo en un servicio ortodoxo, este es el lugar. El Sr. George Rohr aún lidera un servicio super amigable y cálido, lleno de explicaciones e historias interesantes. Es tan bueno, que querrán volver. Lo comenzó en el 1991 y ha crecido muchísimo necesitando también del liderazgo del Rabino Weinstock y otros, quienes han logrado mantener el enfoque inicial de un servicio atractivo, cálido y educativo. (Este Wednesday Wink, trata sobre los valores de la familia Rohr; valores que resultaron, entre otras cosas, en servicios para principiantes como este.) 

3- The Jewish Latin Center

JLC

Ok I’m cheating a bit here, because I haven’t actually been to The Jewish Latin Center, and I don’t know the couple who runs it either. ;-) However, I have been stalking following this shul on social media a while, since we kind of have the same target audience ;-). Let’s just put it this way… I wish that they had been around when I was living in the City! And I am sooo glad they are there now! It looks to me like they are doing a fabulous job. In fact, wink wink, I would love to go speak there one day… wouldn’t that be fun!?

Ok estoy haciendo un poco de trampa aquí, por que la realidad es que nunca he ido a este shul y ni siquiera conozco a la pareja que lo lidera. Más sin embargo, he estado acosando siguiendo este shul en social media hace un tiempo ya que tenemos una audiencia similar ;-). Pongámoslo así… me hubiera encantado que hubieran estado allí cuando yo viví en la Ciudad. ¡Pero, estoy feliz de que ahora están allí! Me parece que están haciendo un trabajo maravilloso. ¡De hecho, sería super chevere si pudiera ir a hablar allí un día :-)!

4- Chabad of the Upper East Side

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Finally, I can’t help but mention Chabad of the Upper East Side. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, and I’ve only heard of how beautiful and amazing the small operation that I once knew well, has become. But, despite the growth and remodeling, I can assure you that the warmth of the Krasnianski’s is still there. Nothing Latin about this place I know, but their smiles and friendliness are definitely something that we can all appreciate. Plus, I’ll never forget how much I loved that Rabbi Krasnianski would give a short explanation after each alyiah on Shabbat, in lieu of a longer sermon. There’s nothing intimidating about this shul, I’ll tell you that! :-)

Finalmente, no puedo dejar de mencionar a Jabad del Upper East Side. Ha pasado mucho tiempo desde la última vez que estuve allí, pero he escuchado cuan maravillosa se ha convertido la pequeña operación que una vez conocí. (Hasta tuve el mérito de trabajar en el su campamento de niños una vez.) Apesar del gran crecimiento de este shul, les aseguro que la calidez de los Krasnianski’s aun está allí. Nada latino a cerca de este shul, pero las sonrisas y amabilidad son cosas que todas podemos apreciar. Además, nunca me olvidaré cuanto me encantaba que el Rabino Krasnianski decía unas pequeñas palabras de explicación después de cada alyiá en Shabbat, en vez de un sermón largo. ¡Créanme que no hay nada intimidan en este shul! :-)

nyc-skyline

So if you’re in the Big City- which although super Jewish, can also be quite intimidating- and longing for that feeling of home, don’t fret.  These are a few shuls that offer that familiar warm feeling that you might be missing. And hopefully, you will have a positive experience that will have you coming for more, because really when it comes to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we should all have a shul where we can feel comfortable.

Así es que chicas, tal vez están en la gran ciudad- la cual si bien es “super judía,” también puede ser un tanto intimidante y fría- y anhelan el calor de casa. Sin embargo, pueden encontrar servicios que tienen al menos un poco de la calidez a la cual están acostumbradas. Espero que esta pequeña guía las ayude a tener una experiencia positiva en el shul y que de ahí surjan muchas mas, por que verdaderamente en Rosh Hashaná y Yom Kippur todas debemos participar, y sentirnos a gusto en el shul.

May you all be blessed with a sweet shul experience, and an even sweeter new year full of warmth, love, happiness and only revealed good.

Les deseo tanto una experiencia en shul dulce, como también un año dulce, cálido, y alegre, lleno de puras cosas buenas.

P.S.
I know there are like a million other options in NYC when it comes to High Holiday services, and I don’t mean to slight any of the others. I just want to bring to your attention some shul options that you might not know about, as a way of encouraging those who might be “dreading” the “shul experience.” If you know other great shul gems, please, please do share with us! We’d love to know where you call home this Yom Tov…

If you haven’t entered the giveaway, you can do so here. There’s only a few more days for a chance to win!

P.D.
Se que hay como un millón de opciones de servicios para los Jagím en Manhattan y no estoy descontando esas opciones. Mi intención es solamente hacerles saber de una buenas opciones por si no estaban al tanto, especialmente para entusiasmar a aquellas que se sientan un tanto temerosas de la experiencia de ir al shul. Si saben de otras buenas opciones, por favor, por favor, compártanlas. Nos encantaría saber en cual shul se sentirán en casa este Yom Tov.

Si aún no se metieron a la rifa del saca puntas, lo pueden hacer aquí. Sólo quedan unos días.

You CAN make Shabbat without the overwhelm!

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