As we find ourselves in the middle of Av, we recognize that we are rapidly approaching the Yamim Noraim. Our Rabbinic staff, professional staff, High Holiday Committee, and Religious Committee have been working diligently for numerous weeks already to devise a plan of what the 5781 Yamim Noraim will look like at Bnai Yeshurun. The unique set of circumstances present this year dictate that Yamim Noraim at Bnai Yeshurun will not look like years past. Despite these challenges, we are hard at work planning for an incredible, inspiring High Holiday season that maximizes each space on our campus, in and out of the building, as well as throughout our community, in a safe and thoughtful way. As we turn our focus to the task of finding space and seating for each and every one of our members we recognize, as you might imagine, this year’s seating will be challenging on many levels, and our focus is on your safety and doing our best to accommodate your preferences. We will rely on your resilience, patience, and flexibility to make seating as comfortable and safe and our davening as inspiring as possible.
Since this year will be markedly different than the past, we ask that you please read this document thoroughly before submitting your High Holiday Reservation Form. Of course, should you have any questions please contact Elysia Stein at office@bnaiyeshurun.org.
Please note the following details and instructions:
Davening Locations:
Indoor: There will be seating in three davening areas inside the shul: the New Main Shul, the Old Main Shul, and the Social Hall. The number of seats in all locations are severely downsized in order to provide the necessary distancing. That means, and we apologize, that it is highly unlikely that we will be able to seat everyone inside who would like to be there, and in the regular seats to which you have become accustomed. Despite previous announcements, we will no longer be holding an indoor minyan at the home of Chayah & Yoel Fuld. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you already selected the Fuld home as a preference please do not worry, we will reach out to you directly should we need further information.
Outdoor: In addition to davening in the three shul spaces, we will also have two open air tents on the Shul campus (Ogden Lot and West Englewood Lot), as well as open air tents at various homes strategically located throughout the neighborhood. As we previously indicated, we fully intend to staff all of these minyanim with Baalei Tefillah, Baalei Tekiah, and rabbinic presence to the best of our ability. A Nusach Sefard Minyan will take place in an open air tent at the Respler Home. Please note, a number of the outdoor minyan locations are groups that have been davening together for the last several months, and additional space at those minyanim may be limited.
To see a detailed list of the Minyan Locations, with addresses please click HERE.
Reservations: Reservations are being processed this year exclusively via an online form (below) and immediate online payment. Online payment (via credit card or ACH) will be required to submit the form. If this poses a difficulty for you, please contact Elysia Stein at office@bnaiyeshurun.org ASAP to make specialize arrangements.
As you will see on the form, we ask you to indicate 4 locations in order of preference of where you would like to daven. Though we will try to respect your preferences, the limited number of people permitted by law at each location may make accommodating each preference impossible. Thus, if there is an oversubscription for a specific location, we will have to place you at one of your alternate preferences. Please provide us with 4 distinct preferences so that we can do our best to accommodate you.
We are mindful that many members may request to daven inside the Shul, more than we can accommodate. If this happens, please be advised of the following: There will be a limit of 3 seats total per family/reservation for seats indoors at CBY. We believe this is necessary to accommodate as many families inside as possible; if we see that we have additional space we will consider expanding this.
As you fill out your reservations, please keep in mind the following:
Deadlines and Pricing:
SEATING PRICES (per seat) if submitted by 5:00 pm on:
Thursday, August 20th
Thursday, September 3rd
After September 3rd
$160
$210
$285
Please understand that no exceptions will be made to these deadlines. Additionally, we ask that you understand that it will be difficult for the High Holiday Committee to receive reservations or reservation changes after August 20th as the tremendous job of ensuring appropriate seats for all requested reservations will already be in progress by that point.
Please understand that based on the reservations coming in there is a significant cost for tent rentals this year, as such our refund policy will be as follows:
We would like to take a moment to express deep appreciation to the volunteers on the High Holiday Committee. In a normal year fielding and seating 1,600 reservations is an overwhelming task, all the more so this year. I encourage every member to please be understanding of the challenges and nuances with which this Committee was faced.
We encourage everyone to place their High Holiday Reservation (through the form below) as soon as possible to allow the Committee the ability to accommodate as many members as possible.
Thank you,
Ethan Keiser, President Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Rabbi Elysia Stein, Executive Director
A Nusach Sefard minyan will take place in an Open Air Tent at the Respler Home.
