The Jewish Center High Holidays Ticket Pre-Registration (The Jewish Center, Princeton, NJ)

Dear Jewish Center Family,

We are truly grateful that current health conditions indicate that we will be able to “Come Back Home” to The Jewish Center for the High Holidays. Not only will we be able to start the New Year and our new chapter with Rabbi Merow in person and on campus, but we will be able to come together in our newly renovated Sanctuary with a bimah that is, for the first time ever, accessible to our entire membership! This year we will offer multiple worship opportunities: outdoors for families of all ages regardless of vaccination status, indoors for vaccinated individuals, and online for those who are more comfortable at home.

Now is the time to secure your tickets for the High Holidays according to the following pre-registration procedure. Our High Holiday offerings this year include (but are not limited to):

  • Sanctuary service with Rabbi Merow and Cantor Warschauer
  • Lay-lead “Riverside” service (in our Beit Midrash this year so that our entire congregation will be able to feel the embrace of being back on campus) for Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur Day
  • Family services (designated by age from tot to teen) in our tent “Sanctuary” outside and led by our clergy and staff
  • Remote viewing option with multiple camera views for those who do not attend in person

Jewish tradition recognizes not only the importance of our people’s covenant with G-d, but also that this commitment extends to all of humanity, and certainly to our fellow TJCers. Because we are all responsible for each other’s well-being, The Jewish Center leadership, with the advice of our Safety Committee, has established the following safety protocols to minimize health and security risks.  

  • TIMELY ACTION REQUIRED: Click here to submit the High Holy Day 5782 Pre-Registration form whether or not you will be joining us (though we hope you will). Please submit this pre-registration form asap and no later than the August 15 deadline. One registration per family.
    • All attendees 12 and over MUST be vaccinated against Covid-19. There is an entry on the Registration Form for you to affirm that you and your family members have been vaccinated.
  • TICKETS: Tickets are required for in-person admittance and will be mailed to you the week of August 22 after receipt of your on-line pre-registration form.
  • SECURITY: There will be no bag check protocol this year because the pre-registration process allows us to ascertain attendees’ relationship to TJC. Professional security personnel will be checking tickets. When you show your ticket you will receive your reusable name tag, which is to be worn while on the premises and returned to the used tag basket in the lobby for sterilization and to be ready for your next visit. Please read about our new name tag system in the President’s Message in the August bulletin. 
  • MASKS: Properly worn masks are required when inside the main or school buildings or the tent. Masks must cover your nose and mouth entirely. For the safety of all, this will be strictly enforced. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
  • CHILDREN UNDER 12: As only vaccinated people are permitted in the Main Sanctuary, children under 12 must be masked at all times and are unfortunately not allowed in the Main Building. Bathrooms will be available in the School Building. The playground will be open for use with parental supervision. Due to the pandemic babysitting will not be offered this year. We do hope to return to being all together in our building next year, but are grateful that we can nevertheless offer services for all ages either inside or outside of the building.
  • ADDITIONAL TICKETS: Our in-person services are limited to immediate family members only and pre-registration is required, via this form.
    • Adult children under age 26 require a ticket, but there is no charge. If they will attend with you, please be sure to include them when you fill out the ticket pre-registration form (link above).
    • Children over 27, parents, grandparents and siblings who are not Jewish Center members require an additional ticket for a fee of $50 per person, per holiday, with a maximum of $100 per person for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please note this is a significant decrease from previous years. Reciprocity with other synagogues will be honored – If your guest is a dues-paying member of another synagogue, please have verification sent to Joel Berger (jberger@thejewishcenter.org) from their home synagogue and the fee will be waived.
  • REMOTE VIEWING: Should you choose to attend services remotely this year for whatever reason, we will miss you. We understand that everyone must feel comfortable with their health precautions and we support your decision. Links will be emailed in advance of services. 

We do hope that however you attend High Holiday services this year, you will join us over the summer and into the fall for outdoor services on both Friday nights and Shabbat mornings, weather permitting.

Thank you for understanding that the High Holidays committee engaged in extensive deliberation over current data and recommendations as well as probable outcomes and contingencies in order to determine our High Holiday protocol. We are aware that no solution will be an ideal one for everyone, but it is our hope that you will respect that we are doing our best to minimize health risks for our entire membership. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we endeavor to maximize a safe and secure environment for all.

TJC Leadership will continue to monitor Covid-19 conditions, and is ready to pivot on the recommendation of Dr. Josh Eisenberg and the Safety Committee should health concerns grow.

High Holidays Pre Registration Link Here

Todah Rabah / Thank you very much to our High Holy Day 5782 Planning Committee for all of their thoughtful and meticulous work. Each of these volunteers cares deeply about our community and has spent countless hours helping us prepare to celebrate the New Year, together and virtually. Much gratitude to:

Co-Chairs:

  • Ra’anan Boustan & Judi Fleitman

Committee Members:

  • Barbara Abramson
  • Phil Carchman
  • Suzanne Esterman
  • Nancy Lewis
  • Linda Milstein
  • Cheryl Mintz
  • Polly Strauss
  • Rabbi Andrea Merow
  • Cantor Jeff Warschauer
  • Joel Berger, Executive Director
  • Sharon Diamondstein, Director of Congregational Learning

Please watch for further communications from The Jewish Center.

Wishing you a wonderful summer, and looking forward to seeing our kehillah, our community, “Come Back Home” together at The Jewish Center once again.

B’shalom,

Alexandra Bar Cohen, President

Joel Berger, Executive Director