High Holy Days | Malkhut

Image: Ziv Scheider

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High Holy Days 5786

As we open the Book of Life to the new year 5786, the cruelty of this moment threatens to overwhelm us. This past year has seen the grinding on of war, suffering, and starvation in Gaza, the languishing of hostages, harsh suppression of those who speak truth to power, detention and deportation of our immigrant neighbors, demolishing of structures of care for our trans family, for the sick, and the poor, and the rise fascism and oligarchy.

At the turning of this year, we cry out for answers:

What is the medicine for the moral injury and physical harm we are experiencing?

What wisdom can we turn to for guidance?

What is required of us?

The Hebrew prophet Micah cries out to God in his time, a time when corrupt leaders oppressed the poor, asking the same question. The Divine voice responds, “You have been told, O mortal, what is good and what the Holy One demands of you: Only to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)

This year we return to the ikar—the essence—of our humanity and of our tradition. This year as we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of this country and the 10th anniversary of Malkhut’s founding, we embrace radical goodness. We gather, lift up our voices, and call upon each other to stand firm in our vision of the world to come: a world of peace, joy, love, and justice.

Read about the animation that Malkhutnik and artist Ziv Schneider created inspired by this year's theme HERE.

Registration is now open for pre-High Holy Day gatherings. Registration for services, and other events of the season, will open for Malkhut Partners on Wednesday, August 13, and for the general public on Friday, August 22. To access early registration for our capacity-limited services, become a Partner by clicking HERE.

This year, we are celebrating the High Holy Days at CUNY Law in Long Island City, Queens. Rabbi Goldenberg will lead us on Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre & Yom Kippur in prayer, song and study, along with Music Director Kris Wettstein, Student Rabbi Emily Herzlin, volunteer singers and other co-creators. Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services will take place both in-person and via livestream.

Our services are warm, contemplative, rich in music, and all Hebrew is transliterated and translated for easy access to all levels of experience with Jewish ritual. All are welcome!

Pre-High Holy Day gatherings:

Pre-High Holy Day Song Circles with Music Director Kris Wettstein:

3 Sundays in Astoria (and on Zoom): August 10, 17, 24, from 3 - 5pm
The Days of Awe (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur) feature special music that we only sing once or twice a year. Come and learn and/or warm up the melodies in a fun and informal space so that you're prepared to leave it all on the sanctuary floor when the High Holy Days roll around. All ages welcome.

Louder Than Words: Virtual Screening + Discussion: Tuesday, September 2, 7 - 9pm on Zoom

Join Queens-based care and cultural workers C. Meranda Flachs-Surmanek (also a Youth Institute Madricheh) and Cecilia Lim for a virtual screening + discussion event. Watch Cecilia's 2024 hybrid (combining documentary and fiction) short film "Louder Than Words," and engage in guided conversation to deepen relationship with yourself and other Malkhut members.

Elul Shabbat: Elul is the Hebrew month right before the High Holy Days when we prepare our hearts for the New Year:

Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, September 12, 6:30 - 8:30pm at Renew Queens (small space, 47-20 11th St, LIC): Join us on Friday evening for a Kabbalat Shabbat filled with Elul-inspired musical prayer with lots of space for breath, silence and contemplation. The service will be led by Student Rabbi Emily Herzlin, with an Elul-themed discussion led by Rabbi Goldenberg.
Selichot Retreat, Saturday, September 13, 2 - 5pm, at Renew Queens (small space, 47-20 11th St, LIC): As the Hebrew month of Elul comes to a close and we move closer to Rosh Hashanah, we will gather for a Shabbat afternoon of meditation, gentle mindful movement, journaling, mindful speech and deep listening, and community. The practices and activities we engage in together will help us to sit with our hearts, cultivate stillness, and contemplate how we can hold space for ourselves and each other in the year ahead. Led by Student Rabbi Emily Herzlin and Rabbi Goldenberg.

About our High Holy Day theme imagery:

Thank you to artist and Malkhutnik Ziv Schneider for creating the powerful animation inspired by this year's theme.

Artist statement: I envisioned an upward gaze, searching and questioning, amid a flood. A flood of information that overwhelms and paralyzes; an emotional flood that comes with being alive, Jewish, and Israeli in this moment. A sense of trying to stay afloat, both literally and figuratively, while processing what it means to witness and respond.

Questions about the High Holy Days? Please contact us HERE.

Pre-HHD Song Circles in Astoria

Elul Shabbat

Imagery Ziv

Louder Than Words

Last year's High Holy Day Livestreams & Sermons: