Sim Shalom High Holiday services were highlighted in the Jewish Week. ” Or skip the synagogues entirely.  One exciting aspect of Jewish life in New York City is that there are pop-up efforts to offer new experiences all the time. That’s true even during a pandemic. We’ve rounded up a few of the non-synagogue options for High Holiday worship here. A jazz service in a nightclub: Rabbi Steven Blane worked in synagogues for years, but over time he became disillusioned with traditional structures of American Jewish Continue reading →

Rabbi Steven Blane will once again lead his Jazz Quartet for High Holiday Services at the iconic Bitter End in the West Village on Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, Sept. 7th, and Yom Kippur Thursday Sept. 16th at 10:30am. Here is a link to High Holidays at The Bitter End in 2019. Also for the first time, join the Rabbi Blane Trio for “Dinner & Kol Nidre” at Silvanna in Harlem on Wednesday, Sept. 15th at 4:30 PM. Only 30 seats are available! Last year because of Continue reading →

This past weekend the Jewish Spiritual Leader’s Institute (JSLI) ordained its 20th class. Celebrating 10 years (+ 1 for Covid) Rabbi Steve Blane is honored to continue training relevant clergy. On June 19th a cohort of five Rabbis joined the 165+ clergy – Rabbis and Cantors – ordained by the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute (JSLI). Alumni of this class hail from California, Texas, Illinois and the Netherlands! Rabbis Monte Sugarman of Saratoga Springs, NY and Billy Love of Philadelphia joined Rabbi Steve on the virtual Continue reading →

“Our liturgy is fully participatory- you see everything on your computer screen! And our siddurim (prayerbooks) and prayers are transliterated into English so everyone can join in joyous song and prayer. We have no dues or building fund.” Sim Shalom, the unique pioneering synagogue, has expanded its offerings during COVID. Designed for services to be broadcast directly to its congregants Sim Shalom Online Synagogue services are now being shared on Zoom so that congregants can see one another and chat. Adding to this visionary programming, Continue reading →

On Friday, December 11, Sim Shalom the virtual Synagogue celebrates the second night of Hanukkah with five guest cantors. Rabbi Steve Blane and Sim Shalom have offered services online since 2009. To celebrate Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights this year he is joined by five (5) Cantors and one (1) Rabbi from across the country. All were ordained by Rabbi Blane and the Jewish Spiritual Leaders’ Institute (JSLI). Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in Continue reading →

Given the current pandemic, Sim Shalom Online Synagogue, already versed in virtual services, is moving it’s High Holiday services online as well. Rabbi Steve Blane, joined by Special Guests and a trio (socially distanced) will provide joyful Jazz inspired musical services once again. Sim Shalom’s High Holiday season of services begins Friday night, September 11 with a Selichot service. Participants will join Blane online- ask questions, sing along and say many of the prayers with the added benefit of viewing from the comfort of home Continue reading →