Village Yontif is a non-denominational synagogue service where all are welcome to explore their spirituality as well as their connection to our ancestors, each other, and the melting pot that is New York City through prayer, song, ritual, story, reflection, and commentary (midrash).

Weekly Shabbat Services

JOIN US!

 

After numerous requests, while we are all home-bound, Village Yontif is excited to announce ongoing Shabbat services.  We've been loving our weekly services, and the sense of community is restorative and healing. We hope that you will join us. 

Services run approximately 90 minutes.

A one-time registration for each is required.

 

Friday evening, Kabbalat Shabbat Services begin at 7:30 pm EST.

Soft beautiful traditional Shabbat melodies, more of a time for profound story-telling than study.
Services led by Daniel Neiden. Stories from Shellen Lubin.

Saturday morning, Shabbat Services begin at 10:30 am EST.

Traditional prayers around the centerpiece of spirited, interactive discussions based on the parshat of the week.
Services led by Nancy Coren and/or Daniel Neiden. Commentary and reflection by Shellen Lubin.

Services are free. Donations are gratefully accepted.




Kristallnacht 2020

In 2004, St. John's Lutheran Church offered to host Village Yontif, my outreach program providing free High Holy Day Services to the Greenwich Village community. The Village Yontif community was very generous. When the sizable donations were offered to the church, they were stunned and asked for suggestions of what they should do with the money.  I only asked that they feel free to use the money to better the world in some way. With an audacious grace, this German Lutheran church was inspired to host an inter-faith Kristallnacht remembrance. The artistic heart of that service was a piece of modern dance theater for two, accompanied by live music and the physical shattering of glass on the church altar.

The response was visceral and heartbreaking, and gave birth to an annual Kristallnacht remembrance at St. John’s. Each year since that first time, Pastor Mark Erson has expanded the service with readings, hymns, Kaddish’s and memorial prayers, which have not only deepened the impact, but carried forth the pledge of “Zachor” (“Remember") and reaffirmed the desire to make sure this never happens again. Ours is a living service that changes a bit with each year, but its deeply moving centerpiece remains:

“The Dance of Broken Glass,
a performance for Kristallnacht”

~Daniel Neiden

 

The Dance of Broken Glass

A performance for Kristallnacht

*** VIDEO COMING SOON ***

Credits:

Dance created and choreographed by Javier Baca
Overture to The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner, edited by Parker Stagmeier
Dance performed by Alli Bradley and Ben Roach
Dance directed by Daniel Neiden
Film directed and edited by Nick Lopez
Film produced by Daniel Neiden, and 27 Jesters

Special thanks to St. John's Lutheran Church's community, and Pastor Mark Erson, for their brotherhood and their generosity.

To see the full video of this year's service, click on the Kristallnacht Remembrance 2020 tile below.

RECIPES

We are in search of your favorite soup or stew recipes, so we can share them with our community.
Please email us your favorite recipes (and a picture, if you have one) to Daniel@VillageYontif.com.

Hey, Good Lookin', What Ya Got Cookin'?

Many of the artworks featured on our website this year are original works by the widely-collected Israeli artist, Elena Kotliarker.  Follow this link to read more about her and see more of her works.
Village Yontif is a website designed to provide information about our free High Holiday services in Greenwich Village, New York.

Rosh Hashanah

2020 Message

Yom Kippur

Forum on Forgiveness

Kristallnacht Remembrance 2020

Favorite Quotes

We are able to provide services year after year because of your incredible generosity. Thank you for your donation!

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