Two Jewish communities in western Queens are inviting all to celebrate the upcoming religious holy days.
Malkhut and Kehillat Tikvah announced their schedule of “soulful, musical and accessible” services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Services will take place at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church (33-50 82nd St.) in Jackson Heights and is open to all — no tickets are required. A special Tashlich ritual will take place at Long Island City’s Gantry Park on Rosh Hashanah.
A full list of services and times are below.
ROSH HASHANAH
Evening Service: Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Morning Service: Sept 10, 9:30 a.m.
Tashlich at Gantry Park in LIC: Sept. 10, 4 p.m.
YOM KIPPUR
Kol Nidre Evening Service: Sept 18, 7:30 p.m.
Morning Service: Sept 19, 9:30 a.m.
Afternoon Service: Sept 19, 2 p.m.
Concluding Service and light Break the Fast: 4 to 7:45 p.m.
All listed services will be led by Malkhut’s Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg and music will be directed by Kris Wettstein. Morning services feature a new children’s learning program with wrap-around childcare for kids ages 2 to 8. The theme for services will be “Broken Heart, Open Heart” which will be included in the prayers, sermons and study sessions.
“As we reflect on this year I imagine that many of us are feeling our hearts break for our world, our country, ourselves. The Chasidic masters teach that when we can fully acknowledge that brokenness, this is the key to the open heart,” explained Rabbi Goldenberg. “That open heart welcomes connection with our neighbors and leads us to wise action as we work to relieve suffering in the world and in our lives. This is our intention for the New Year, to enter it with compassion and with a commitment to transform this world from a place of love.”
According to their website, Malkhut’s goal is to build a progressive Jewish spiritual community in western Queens, including the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside and Woodside. They welcome believers from diverse backgrounds — fellow travelers, families with kids, interfaith couples, Jews of color, LGBTQ individuals and those who have not found their homes in more “conventional” religious communities. Prayer at Malkhut combines traditional elements with rich instrumental music and communal singing.
Like Malkut, Kehillat Tikvah: a Jewish Community of Hope is based in western Queens. Founded in 2008, their mission is to congregate those who “seek to learn, explore and sustain the teachings and practices of egalitarian Judaism” in Jackson Heights. In addition to the High Holidays, they also invite individuals to monthly Shabbat potluck dinners, Purim celebrations and Passover Seders.
For more information on Malkut, visit malkhutqueens.org or facebook.com/malkh
