The High Holy Days will soon be upon us, and Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is enthusiastically opening its arms to new members. From the glorious celebrations for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to the close-knit community of members, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (SWFS) is symbolic of Jewish joy, pride and hope.
Nestled in the heart of the Upper West Side at 30 West 68th Street, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, this lively Reform congregation has been a cornerstone of the UWS Jewish community for over 115 years. Whether you want to attend Torah study, join musical Shabbat services, or play a competitive game of mahjong, or make new friends, new members will be warmly welcomed regardless of prior religious upbringing, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The synagogue is a beacon of acceptance and safety for anyone seeking to establish or strengthen their connection to Judaism.
SWFS is so much more than a place of worship. It’s a place of education (for ALL ages) and appreciation for Jewish culture. This begins with Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Early Childhood Center, which since 1949 has been offering creative, play-based experiences to its young students. For children ages five to 18, the Religious School helps students build their Jewish identities while forming lifelong friendships and connections to their communities.
Photo: Elizabeth Mealey
SWFS upholds the tradition of generational learning and mentorship with two tracks of weekly adult Hebrew classes–Level A for learners with little to no experience, or Level B for those who already know the aleph-bet. For older community members who never had the chance to have a bar or bat mitzvah, SWFS’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah program can help you build a foundation of knowledge about the sacred texts and traditions, culminating with special group B’nai mitzvah service. This program will begin in the Fall, so now is the perfect time to enroll.
For teenage community members, SWFS offers a unique opportunity for young people to build Jewish identity and learn about their heritage through immersive travel experiences. These trips are designed to deepen understanding of Jewish history, encourage personal growth, and strengthen bonds with the synagogue and community. Participants find the experience invaluable, with one traveler remarking, “You gain a deep understanding of your history in a way that’s hard to get with your parents or even traveling by yourself because you just don’t have the people around you to provide more context. You have this kind of freedom to explore, to open your mind.”
Senior Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is a strong supporter of Israel and an inspirational advocate for the Jewish homeland as well as the cultural and historical rights of the Jewish people. After the devastating October 7 attacks on Israel, hundreds gathered at SWFS to comfort each other and share their unshakeable support. In an address to the congregation, Rabbi Hirsch said it was a “sad, devastating week for the Jewish people and all decent people who value life.” Now more than ever, the Upper West Side’s Jewish community needs an inclusive home to strengthen our connection to the Jewish culture and preserve its significance.
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Whether you’re a long-time member or someone who is considering a new synagogue, the High Holy Days at SWFS offer a unique opportunity to reconnect with your Jewish faith. “In many ways, it is still October 7th. Time froze. The road ahead will be difficult and painful… my message to you is: keep the faith.” reflects Rabbi Ammi Hirsch. “The only way to get this country out of the mess it is in — and the only way to protect the Jewish community — is for you to get more involved.” For those who can’t make it, some services are also being live-streamed.
Inquire about membership options today by contacting SWFS membership director, Isaiah Benedek, at (212) 877 4050 ext. 223 or ibenedek@swfs.org. Membership at SWFS is 100% tax deductible and includes High Holy Days seating in the SWFS sanctuary.
