Holidays

Welcome to a year of holiday celebrations at Park East Synagogue.

Our services are led by Rabbi Schneier and one of our great cantors. Our Shabbat services will power you through the week from the energy you gain. In addition to our weekly Shabbat activities such as Sudah Slishit (3rd meal), Kiddish, Toby’s Children’s Service, and Shabbat Youth Groups, we often have dynamic speakers and dinners. Please check our calendar for upcoming events.

  • Selichot
    Our Selichot services feature Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Chief Cantor Yitzhak Meir Helfgot, Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky as well as Maestro Russell Ger and the Park East Synagogue Choir. One of the many highlights of Selichot at Park East is Rabbi Schneier’s “State of World Jewry” address. Every year, we look forward to hearing an update on the most recent issues facing world Jewry as well as a call to action.
  • Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
    High Holy Days services are some of our most popular services all year. Our members enjoy services in the main Synagogue with Chief Cantor Yitzhak Meir Helfgot, while our non-member guests experience the auxiliary service. Tickets are required to participate in either service; please see our calendar to book. There are also High Holiday services for families and children of all ages. Please check out Toby’s Children’s Service for more information.
  • Succot
    Celebrate with us in our spacious Succah-our rooftop terrace! In addition to kiddush after festival services, there are congregational dinners, cocktail parties, brunches, luncheons and activities for young children. Check our events calendar for this year’s activities!
  • Shemini Atzeret
    We gather for the final days of the fall festival season and recite the Yizkor service. Hear Cantor Helfgot and Cantor Rogosnitzky chant Geshem, the prayer for rain, at the beginning of the musaf service.
  • Simhat Torah
    In the evening we celebrate the Torah with dancing and a lively spirit. The next morning, we end the annual cycle of Torah reading and begin it again, honoring three congregants as Chatan Torah, Chatan B’reshit and Chatan Maftir.
  • Hanukkah
    During Hanukkah there are parties, art projects, concerts, and activities for congregants of all ages, from toddlers to seniors.
  • Tu B’Shvat
    Tu B’Shvat finds us eating fruit, learning about the produce of the Land of Israel, and focusing on sustainability and responsibility to the environment. The Shabbat closest to Tu B’Shvat is always Shabbat Shirah, “the Sabbath of Song.” Our cantors prepare special musical services for that Shabbat morning.
  • Purim
    Purim at PES always includes a mini-megillah reading for our young children and a full megillah reading for older children, teens and adults. There are costumes, noisemakers, hamantashen and Purim collation for all. The fun continues on Purim day with a morning megillah reading followed by a festive breakfast.
  • Pesach
    On the first two nights of Pesach there are congregational seder celebrations at the synagogue.
  • Shavuot
    Otherwise known as “Chag matan torateinu”, this is the day we received the Torah on Mount Sinai. The community gathers together for services followed by a festive meal where our rabbis share the words of the torah deep in to the night. On the second day of Shavuot, the Yizkor memorial service is recited.
  • Yom HaShoah
    We commemorate Yom HaShoah with a special service in the Sanctuary.
  • Tisha B’Av
    After evening services, we chant Eichah, the Book of Lamentations. On Tisha B’Av morning, we recite Elegies with commentary. This is followed by a film presentation in the spirit of this solemn day.