We are thrilled that Audrey Sasson, Executive Director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ), will be our featured speaker on Yom Kippur morning.
Audrey is a longtime organizer and a leading voice in New York’s Jewish social justice community. For nearly 30 years, she has worked at the intersection of Jewish life and social change — as a community organizer and campaign leader on issues including immigrant and workers’ rights, disability rights, housing, racial justice, antisemitism, and Israel/Palestine. As the first Mizrahi leader to serve as JFREJ’s Executive Director, Audrey has led the organization since 2017, helping build a grassroots Jewish community of more than 6,000 members working across New York City for a more just and caring city.
In recent years, Audrey has made JFREJ an influential player in electoral politics through the creation of its sister organization, The Jewish Vote, which has played an important role in successful campaigns for many of New York’s progressive elected representatives. She also led the organization in opposing Israel's destruction of Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and campaigns of "not one more bomb."
Audrey, a member of The New Shul community, is unabashedly Jewish, proudly progressive, and is one of the clearest voices in our city for a universalist, humane, and caring Judaism that we can be proud of. At a time when many of us are confounded by the rising tides of authoritarianism and antisemitism in this country, alongside an Israel that increasingly seems to have abandoned morality, Audrey is one of the few local voices that has not lost sight of who she is and who we are as Jews.
A guiding principle for both Audrey and JFREJ is the Yiddish concept of Doykeit, or Here-ness. This Yom Kippur, as we focus on our local issues and partnerships, Audrey’s presence feels especially meaningful.
Through our theme this year of Eyn Od - This is It, we will be exploring the true nature of our reality and our lives. We will ask: how can we both accept our lives and continue to do the work toward changing them at the same time? We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to both challenge us and guide us as we ponder what it truly means to be a Jewish person in New York City today.
We hope you’ll join us for this very special Yom Kippur morning — and for the opportunity to hear from Audrey.
Yom Kippur Service Schedule:
Morning Service:
With guests working on persistent local problems such as homelessness and racism we will look for a way to recommit ourselves to God’s work without the expectation of eliminating our problems. Torah readings and some of the prayers will be led by our teens.
With soulful music to the prayers, Torah chanting by teens and adults, and an ode to love in Ladino and Hebrew from the poetry of the Song of Songs, our Yom Kippur will be a celebration of our local partnerships to improve the city we love. Guests will include Pastor Will Kroeze of Trinity Church, Manuela Robles, director of the shelter for unhoused families, the Flatbush Family Residence, multidisciplinary artist and producer, Zaire Baptiste and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) Executive Director, Audrey Sasson.
10:00 AM - Yom Kippur Service
1:00 PM - Yizkor
Afternoon Study:
2:00 pm - LET’S BE TOGETHER
Led by Erika Sasson and Sylvia Stein
Join us for a welcoming afternoon of conversation, connection, and reflection. Whether or not you joined us on Erev Rosh Hashanah, come meet others in the community, share in small-group conversations, and reflect together as we step into the new year.
3:15 pm - ROSH CHODESH CHEVRUTAH
Led by Lizzie Berne DeGear
Fasting enhances mystical experience — so what better time than Yom Kippur to connect with our ancient ancestors? Lizzie, a member of The New Shul’s Rosh Chodesh “wise woman circle,” will lead us in encountering the women storytellers behind the Bible and sharing our own stories, too.
4:30 pm - BEING JEWISH IN THIS MOMENT
Led by New Shul Philosopher-in-Residence Dr. David Ponet
Join us for a conversation about the conundrum facing the New York Jewish community as we navigate today’s confusing landscape: the rise of antisemitism on both the left and the right, alongside our anguish over the actions of the State of Israel.
5:30 pm - PIYUTTIM VeNIGGUNIM
Led by Rabbi Misha Shulman, Ritual Director Daphna Mor, and Frank London
Study an ancient liturgical poem and then come together in song as we prepare to enter the final hours of Yom Kippur.
*Please dress in white for this event.
(New Shul Members, please find the required password in your membership confirmation email.)
Children’s Programming
Creative, engaging, and meaningful experiences for kids of all ages.
At The New Shul, we believe the High Holy Days should be a time of connection and inspiration for the entire family. That’s why we’re offering dynamic, age-appropriate programming for children during our services this Holiday season. We also pride ourselves on our intergenerational approach to many of the main services, so children will be able to choose whether to spend their time with their parents in the sanctuary, with the children’s programming in the lunch room or hanging out with their friends upstairs.
All sessions will be taught and led by educators from the School for Creative Judaism (SCJ), ensuring thoughtful, joyful, and age-appropriate experiences rooted in creativity and meaning.
Yom Kippur Morning:
While our Tots enjoy their own musical service upstairs, the main sanctuary service will be truly intergenerational, with children and teens taking an active role by chanting Torah, offering creative dramatic interpretations of the readings, and singing with the Creative Judaism Choir.
10:15–10:45 AM – Tot Service (Ages 0–4)
This warm, engaging, and music-filled service offers young children and their families a gentle introduction to the themes and spirit of Yom Kippur.
11:00 AM–12:30 PM – Creative Learning & Arts Program (Ages 5–12)
Children will have a morning of creative Jewish learning through storytelling, philosophical discussion, hands-on art, and interactive activities. They will also put the finishing touches on the interactive theater production they began on Rosh Hashanah and share their performance with the community. For children who prefer a less structured experience, supervised games, crafts, and free-play activities will also be available throughout the morning.
Pricing:
$36 per child per service or $120 for all services.
Free for New Shul Members.