Got questions about the in-person High Holy Days?
We’ve got answers.
What can I expect from the livestream?
If you want to live-stream services, you can register for our live-stream only for $40 for access to all of the holidays. If you purchase tickets to the in-person services, live-stream access will be provided for the holiday that you purchased tickets for. Builders will receive the live-stream access for free.
- Our stream will include slides with transliteration, translation and Hebrew for you to follow along (so no need for a prayer book unless you like having something in your hands)!
- As a heads up — all our times are CT (in case you’re tuning in from afar!)
Getting There + Parking
Venue information:
The Copernicus Center
5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Directions
Transportation and Parking information:
The Copernicus Center is easily accessible by public transportation. The Blue Line, METRA (Union Pacific/Northwest Line), CTA Bus routes, and PACE all stop at the Jefferson Park Transit Center. The Lawrence Avenue bus #81 stops in front of the building.
There is limited parking available in the Copernicus Center surface lot, which is available on a first-come, first served basis. Ample street parking is available, both free and metered, in the area.
Lastly, we will be able to offer a limited amount of valet parking. You will be able to pre-purchase valet parking on Rosh Hashanah Day and Yom Kippur day. The valet stand will be on Lipps avenue and they will have a list of all pre-paid valet reservations. They may be able to accommodate a small number of drive-up valet spots on a first-come, first-served basis. If you know you will need valet parking, we recommend purchasing it in advance via Tickettailor.
What accessibility accommodations can I access?
We are committed to making High Holy Days as accessible as possible. Please email us to let us know of your accessibility needs
- We will have a limited number of hearing accessible devices available to people who are hard of hearing. Designated seating will be reserved for you, so please be in touch if you would like to access the devices.
- Wheelchair accessibility: There is a dedicated row in the theater for wheel chair users and their companions. Community members who would like to access wheelchair accessibility should check in with a Copernicus usher at the entrance to the theater who will help you to a reserved seat.
- A private baby care room is available on-site. Please ask a staff member for directions.
- ASL will be provided at Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur Day and Neilah services. Community members who would like to utilize ASL services should check in with a Copernicus usher at the entrance to the theater who will help them to a reserved seat.
- Email [email protected] if you have specific accommodations that we can help with.
I’d like to volunteer. What does it entail and who should I contact?
Well, that’s awfully kind of you! We will have volunteer ushers helping with registration and greeting throughout the holidays. Please email us for more information.
Will there be security?
The security of the community at High Holidays is very important to us! We can use your help to ensure that everyone at High Holidays has a safe and spiritually uplifting experience. To that end:
- Please avoid bringing luggage or other large bags into the building. We will conduct bag searches and handheld security wands will be in use. Staff and volunteers cannot be responsible for watching over anyone’s bags or luggage while onsite.
- We have a plan for emergency evacuation and sheltering-in-place in the building. In the event of an emergency, please listen for directions from the Bima/stage. Our staff, security and lead volunteers have been briefed on these plans and can help in the case of an emergency.
- Security is provided by Copernicus Center which regularly uses their security for concerts, graduations, and touring events. Bag checks will take place upon entering the building. Our staff, volunteers and paid security are trained on an internal security protocol that takes into account the diversity of our community and aspires to balance security concerns with our commitment to welcoming and inclusivity. They have also been instructed that this is a holy day for our community and to be as respectful of our attendees as possible. We are confident in their ability to provide security services while also being a friendly and welcoming presence. If you have an experience with security staff that is not respectful, please alert a Mishkan staffer in the main lobby.
COVID-19 Protocols
For more information on our COVID protocols including our refund policy, please see here.
Covid-19 at High Holidays
We have built this policy based on the information currently available to us. If that information changes (for example, if a new variant that is substantially different becomes the dominant strain, if trends around community transmission materially change), we reserve the right to change these policies to better address community safety.
- In the sanctuary, we will offer seating sections that are both mask-required and mask-optional. For those who mask, we strongly recommend using a NIOSH-certified n95 mask, KF94 mask, or equivalent. Mishkan will be able to provide a limited number of these on-site. There is robust evidence that wearing a mask of this quality provides a high protective factor for the wearer.
- Areas outside of the sanctuary, including the registration areas, classrooms, and lobby spaces, will be mask-optional.
- While we are not requiring proof of vaccination, we strongly encourage our community to stay up to date with available Covid-19 vaccines and boosters. Evidence shows that updated Covid-19 vaccines boost waning immunity and offer protection against many variants, reducing both transmission and hospitalization.
- If you are feeling ill, including respiratory symptoms, please stay home. We will offer refunds to anyone who is feeling sick. If you have had an exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past five days, please stay home. Please email [email protected] to arrange a refund. We are also offering a high-quality live-streaming option for anyone who needs to stay home.
Masking in the sanctuary, or in any other part of the building, is absolutely welcome and supported. We recognize that members of our community make decisions about masking depending on a variety of factors. No one should be shamed or judged for choosing to wear a mask.
What does the High Holiday ticket revenue cover?
Because we don’t own a building, our direct costs for High Holidays fluctuate from year to year based on our venue. We do not make any profit on High Holiday tickets, and thanks to the generosity of our community we are proud to be able to offer sliding scale discounts (25% or 50%) to anyone who needs them. If you’d like to make a donation to help cover the costs of doing so, please contact Rachel / [email protected].
What should I wear?
So glad you asked! The answer is whatever makes you feel comfortable! Dress up or dress down, whatever you please. On Yom Kippur, try to wear white.
Do you offer discounts?
Radical inclusivity is one of our core values, and we take it seriously. Being a welcoming community means our doors are always open to everyone. We understand that the full price of High Holiday tickets may be a barrier to entry for some. If these prices would create a financial hardship, we’ve got options for you.
