Dear Lab/Shul Friend,

Today, we pause to reflect, honor, and grieve as we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The start of Rosh Hashanah tonight offers no better time to be in community, to pause together, and to begin the new year with a shift toward peace and repair.

We are looking forward to seeing you over the next two days of Awe.

Here's the 411 on Rosh Hashanah:

+ FULL SCHEDULE, DATES, & TIMES: Click here. For the full High Holy Days digital playbill click here.

SPECIAL PROGRAM NOTES:

1. ROSH HASHANAH EVE WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN USUAL.
This year, we're collaborating with our friends from Temple of the Stranger for a special collaboration: BACK TO THE WOMB. If possible and absolutely OPTIONAL –  WEAR SOMETHING RED to honor the sacred color of life, vitality, and renewal.

2. SMALL GROUP CIRCLES AT TASHLICH – 9/12 at 1pm at Rockefeller Park (across from BMCC). Explore year-round, lay-led small groups rooted in Jewish wisdom and connection. Plus a grab and go Nosh Box care of Gazala's. BYOB – Bring Your Own Blanket!

  • Local Shabbat Gatherings
  • Jewish Arts & Creativity
  • Hospitality & Ritual Volunteerism
  • Raising the Bar — B-Mitzvah teens and families
  • Pass/Age — adults in their 20s–50s
  • GENerate — adults 60+

+ LOCATION & VISITOR INFO – Tribeca Performing Arts Center (TPAC) at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)

Please enter through the 190 West Street. DO NOT use the 199 Chambers Street entrance. If you enter at 199 Chambers you will be redirected to walk around to the 190 West Street entrance.

+ SECURITY – We know that gathering in Jewish community today requires us to take security seriously without allowing fear to define our spaces. This year, we have strengthened our approach through professional security consultation, BMCC House Management and Public Safety, along with newly trained Lab/Shul staff, volunteers and our new SWEPT — Safety and Wellness Engagement Planning Team, all of whom have training in recognizing distress, responding to conflict and nonviolent de-escalation.

Here's what we need you to know before you arrive:

  • Please enter through the 190 West Street entrance to BMCC.
    DO NOT use the 199 Chambers Street entrance. If you enter at 199 Chambers you will be redirected to walk around to the 190 West Street entrance.
  • BMCC security guards will be stationed at the West Street entrance. They will check bags and screen attendees using handheld metal-detecting wands.
  • Alongside them, Lab/Shul SWEPT team members and volunteer greeters will be there to welcome you, answer questions, help keep entry moving smoothly, and serve as a calm, familiar community presence.
  • Once you have been screened, you will receive a wristband so that you can leave and re-enter as needed without repeating the full screening process.
  • Please do not bring bags that are larger than a backpack or purse. The less we have to screen, the faster and smoother entry will be for everyone.
  • Give yourself extra time to enter and cooperate with the BMCC security team as they complete the screening process.

If something concerns you while you are with us, please tell a SWEPT member, Lab/Shul staff member, production team member or volunteer. They will be wearing orange Lab/Shul lanyards and will be easily identifiable.

READ OUR ENTIRE PLAN FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS HERE.

+ ACCESSIBILITY ENTRANCE – The main entrance at 190 West Street is wheelchair accessible. Access to the lobby, main ritual space, restrooms and balconies is possible via ramps.

+ CHECKING IN – We're excited to greet you!
All seats are General Admission,  except for those who purchased Reserved Seats.

Reserved Seat tickets will have a row and seat number assignment – ushers will direct you to these orchestra seats.

**IMPORTANT INFO FOR RESERVED SEAT TICKET HOLDERS**

IF YOU DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND ANY OF THE DAYS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE RESERVED SEATS, PLEASE LET US KNOW BY EMAILING [email protected] ASAP.

Please note: Reserved Seating assignments may change day to day. (Meaning, the actual seat and row number could be different from day to day.) Thank you for being mindful!

+ KIDS & FAMILIES – Lab/Jr. Programming will take place under tents in the courtyard of TPAC from 9AM-1PM by age group on Thursday morning. Children under the age of 5 will require an adult to be present. Please pack 2 nut-free snacks, a water bottle and a picnic blanket (optional) labeled with your child's name. Tents have closures and water gutters, but please dress for all weather possibilities!

+VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR ("ONEG") FOR ONLINE PARTICIPANTS: A community-led Zoom gathering will take place on Friday 9/11 at 5:30PM ET. BYO Apples and Honey! To join the Zoom, click HERE 

+ LIVESTREAM FROM HOME (aka High Holy Pajamas): View using THIS LINK:
(Helpful tips on how to interact on the Vimeo streaming platform, click HERE)

+ HEALTH PROTOCOLS – If you are feeling sick or unwell, please err on the side of caution and stay home. Masking is welcome but not required. There is a small section in the theater for those who prefer to sit with others who are also wearing masks. Please see the ushers for guidance.

+ LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS – Walk-ins are welcome and our ticket form will remain live! Important – if you register after Friday, 9/11 at 5:00PM make sure to bring your confirmation email. Credit cards, venmo, paypal, checks and cash are accepted at the door.

+ WHAT TO WEAR – With respect for the importance of these days, wear whatever allows you to feel comfortable, open, and present. We encourage you to suit up with any ritual gear that is part of your religious practice. We don't provide prayer shawls but we do have cool kippot.
Pro Tip: Throughout Yom Kippur some prefer to wear white and abstain from leather shoes…or footwear in general.

+ IMPORTANT: Guidelines on Israel/Palestine
As we enter 5787 amid deep polarization around Israel/Palestine, we want to be clear about how we hope to gather as a community of care. Our High Holy Days are a time for sacred soul work, grounded in our shared humanity, our hopes for healing and peace, and our commitment to repairing what is broken.

We ask everyone to bring their full selves while helping sustain a mindful, introspective space:

  • Our liturgy and educational content will not directly focus on the conflict, though some prayer framing and sermons may include perspectives that invite further reflection and conversation. If these issues arise between community members, we ask you to meet one another with deep listening, openness and care.
  • We welcome personal expression in dress, while our ritual team will refrain from wearing flags, symbols, signs or slogans on stage. We ask everyone to consider how their choices may affect the larger gathering.
  • This is guidance, not policy. We will not police individual choices. We simply ask each of us to act with discernment, generosity and trust as we create sacred space together.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FULL COMMUNITY GUIDELINES.

If you wish to speak further about this, please contact Melissa Shaw, our Director of Social Action at [email protected].

+ Have more questions? First check out our F.A.Q's. Didn't find what you need? Email [email protected].

We can't wait to greet the new year with you!

With Love,
The Lab/Shul Team