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PILGRIMAGE
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PILGRIMAGE 〰️
“Three times each year, our ancestors paused their lives, gathered gifts, and set out on foot toward Jerusalem. The paths to the City of Peace became sacred routes, and those who walked them—women, men, and children—became a community of purpose.
We so often forget that our lives, too, are a pilgrimage—a journey up the holy mountain, taken in the presence of those with whom we share the road. In a world aflame, it is easy to lose sight of our destination, our purpose—the great invitation offered to us by this “one wild and precious life,” as Mary Oliver wrote.
This High Holy Day season, we will seek again the pilgrim’s path — where each step is simple, and the destination is clear. We will listen closely for what the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh meant when he taught: “When you walk, arrive with every step.”
With new melodies to ancient Hebrew pilgrim songs, composed by Frank London and the members of The New Shul Band, and with the old melodies that still echo in our souls, we will gather to create together our Jerusalem-in-New-York.”
-Rabbi Misha Shulman
Our Spiritual Leaders
Rabbi Misha Shulman is an actor, educator, playwright, and activist, was born in Jerusalem and has lived in New York for over 25 years. He is the founding director of the School for Creative Judaism, blending art and faith to teach a Judaism rooted in kindness and questioning. Ordained at Theater for the New City by rabbis and artist-activists, he continues to explore the intersections of spirituality, art, and justice. His deep love of prayer and Musar informs his work, including translating parts of the Book of Psalms. A long-time advocate for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife Erika and their three sons—and swears by the wisdom of a good Shabbat nap.
Ritual Leader Daphna Mor is an internationally renowned musician, hailed by the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune for her virtuosity, as well as a passionate educator. Daphna has performed on such prestigious stages as Summer Stage, NY, with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, and as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and Tanglewood. Mor is a passionate performer and teacher of liturgical music of the Jewish diaspora (Piyutim), focusing on brining awareness to the global element of prayer and including those melodies in Beineinu rituals.
WATCH Daphna Mor's Tsur Mishelo Video
Music Director Yonatan Gutfeld grew up in Jerusalem, where he studied music composition. He was active in the Tel Aviv singer-songwriter scene and toured the country with his band after releasing his debut album. He lives in NYC where he records his songs, teaches and writes music for theatre productions. Yonatan is also The New Shul's Music Director.
WATCH Yonatan Gutfeld's Yotzer Or Video
The Musicians
Sir Frank London is a Grammy-award winning trumpeter-composer and co-founder of The Klezmatics. His works include the Yiddish-Cuban opera Hatuey Memory of Fire; the klezmer trumpet concerto Freylekhs for Trumpet & Orchestra , folk-opera A Night In The Old Marketplace, Davenen for Pilobolus Dance Theater; and 1001 Voices: Symphony for a New America. He has made over 40 recordings of his own music, most recently Ghetto Songs, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars' Rooftop Concert; the Klezmatics' Letters to Afar; and the score for Salomé: Woman of Valor. He has worked with everyone from Itzhak Perlman to Iggy Pop; is featured on over 500 CDs, and was on HBO's Sex And The City.
Dana Herz is an Israeli, New York City-based singer and composer. Currently working on her debut album creating unique layers of sounds from Jazz, Soul, and Folk. Dana has been dedicated years to explore the human voice and its power to heal and connect people. Dana is currently leading her own band and has performed her original music in some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in Europe, Israel, and the United States, including WOMAD festival, The Troubador London, The Sunset Sun-side Paris, Le Poisson Rouge NYC, Muri Switzerland and many others.
WATCH Dana Herz's I'm Done Video
Saskia Lane is a Brooklyn-based Juilliard-trained bassist, composer, performer, puppet maker and educator. Saskia continues to tour her show BIRDHEART, which has captivated audiences worldwide, including a performance in Belgium graced by the presence of the Dalai Lama. For nearly a decade, Saskia was an integral part of the renowned Salzburg Festival, lending her multifaceted skills as a musician, actor, and puppeteer to the cherished annual production of JEDERMANN.
WATCH Saskia Lane's Isle of Klezbos Video
Tripp Dudley is an accomplished tabla player, drummer and percussionist with performance experience in many diverse musical traditions. His deep groove and virtuosity across multiple instruments have paved the way for his many journeys around the world with many different artists. Tripp’s strength with uncommon rhythmic cycles and polyrhythmic concepts led him to find the tabla, a drum from the North Indian classical tradition. He has been a dedicated student of tabla for over 20 years, and was initiated as a formal disciple by Pandit Samir Chatterjee, continuing a teacher-student lineage that dates back almost 300 years.
WATCH Tripp Dudley's Tabla Solo Video
Pilgrimage in Song: New Musical Interpretations of Psalm 122
For this year’s High Holy Days, The New Shul is embarking on a special musical project centered on Psalm 122—an ancient pilgrim song that begins, "I rejoiced when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” This Psalm captures the spirit of joyful ascent to Jerusalem, the City of Peace, and speaks to the deep longing for wholeness, community, and sacred destination.
In keeping with our High Holy Day theme—rediscovering life as pilgrimage and each step as holy—each member of The New Shul Band will compose their own musical interpretation of Psalm 122. These new melodies, alongside traditional ones, will give voice to the many ways we arrive: with joy, with yearning, with reverence, and with hope.
As we gather in New York to reimagine Jerusalem, these original compositions will guide us on our shared journey—reminding us that even now, in a fragmented world, we can walk together toward peace, purpose, and presence
Psalm 122, reimagined—each of us took on a verse. Here’s the first. Any guesses whose it is?"
The Venues
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur will take place at the Village Community School (272 W 10th St, New York, map). A Paid parking on 738 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10014 and on 128 Perry St, New York, NY 10014.
Public transportation: The 1 and 2 trains at Christopher St. station OR A, B, C, D, E, F, M at West 4 St. station.
Rosh Hashanah Morning (Beineinu) will take place at All Angels' Church, (251 W 80th St, New York, map). A paid parking garage is located on 254 W 79th St, New York.
Public transportation: The 1 and 2 trains to 79th St. station are 5 minutes walk to the church.
Tashlich will take place at Hudson River Park, Pier 45 (West 10th St & West St, map). A paid parking garage is located near Pier 45, on 353 West St. (Pier 40 Garage).
Public transportation: The 1 and 2 trains to Christopher Street station are 7 minutes walk to the Pier.
Rosh Hashanah Morning (TNS) and Teen Tashlich will take place at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 (Atlantic Ave & Bridge Park Dr, map). Pier 6 is on the opposite side of the park from the bridge and the carrousel. It is the far end of Atlantic Ave, next to the ferry to Governors Island and Fornino’s restaurant. A paid parking garage is located near Pier 6, accessible on the south side of 360 Furman Street.
Public transportation: The N, R and W trains to Court Street station are 7 minutes walk to the Pier. The South Brooklyn Ferry from Wall Street or Corlears Hook in Manhattan stops right at Pier 6.
The service will take place on the grass - feel free to bring a blanket. (In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Village Community School- text and email notification will be sent as soon as possible).
Pricing
High Holy Day services are included in New Shul Membership. If interested in becoming a member click here.
Guest ticket pricing is as follows:
In-person Tickets: $180 per person (13 and up) per service
All Service Pass: $600 per person
Children’s Programming: $36 per child per service or $120 for all services. Free for New Shul Members.
At The New Shul, no one is turned away for financial reasons. If you're a student, on a fixed income, unemployed, or need assistance, please email Executive Director Susan Meyers at susan@newshul.org.
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Please find the required password in your membership confirmation email.
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Last year’s High Holy Days photo gallery by Itamar Dotan Katz
Last year’s High Holy Days Niggun