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July 2020
To Schmooze or not to Schmooze: The Un-Distancing Hour
We'd like to announce the rebranding and re-imagining of the Thursday afternoon Kiddush cocktail hour, which has been a lovely way for people to connect during this crazy time. But we thought it needed a transformation into something a bit more specific. Before the pandemic, Kiddush has traditionally been a way for people at Ansche Chesed to connect with one another, to share milestones, to kvetch and moan a bit, to express support to friends who are going through one…
Find out more »Summer Stories: Author-Journalists Sam Freedman and Judith Shulevitz
This summer, when we cannot hold our popular literary series "Scribblers on the Roof" as usual, we are excited to present our first virtual reading series, "Summer Stories: AC Authors and Journalists." AC members will read from and discuss their work in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and other genres, from 8-9pm. Judith Shulevitz's thought-provoking homage, "The Sabbath, Glimpses of a Different Order of Time," shares a historic and refreshing, personal perspective on the grace of the Sabbath in Jewish and Christian traditions.…
Find out more »Summer Stories: Michael Takiff and the Memoir Writing Class
This summer, in lieu of our popular literary series, "Scribblers on the Roof," we are proud to present our first virtual reading series. AC members will read from and discuss their work in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and other genres, Monday nights from 8-9pm. Author/Historian/Actor/Comic Michael Takiff will read from his work and be joined by memoir writers who have taken his class (TBA) and will read from their work. Michael Takiff’s searing oral history book, Brave Men, Gentle Heroes: American…
Find out more »Grieving and Loving: Jewish Peoplehood Approaching Tisha B’Av
The summer months are a sorrowful time, in which Jews mark painful memories, like the sin of the Golden Calf, the failure of the biblical spies, and, of course, the destruction of the Temple. The classical spiritual explanation for our losses is sinnat hinam, or "pointless hatred" among Jews who were unable to respect each other. Can different Jewish communities today take our ideological differences seriously, while still mourning together for our people's losses and caring for each other with ahavat hinnam,…
Find out more »Summer Stories: Scholar Dr. Nancy Sinkoff and Publisher Michael Wise
This summer, in lieu of our popular literary series, "Scribblers on the Roof," we are proud to present our first virtual reading series. AC members will read from and discuss their work in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and other genres, Monday nights from 8-9pm. Scholar/Author Dr. Nancy Sinkoff, Professor of Jewish Studies and History at Rutgers University, will read from and discuss her well-researched and lively book, From Left to Right: Lucy S. Dawidowicz, the New York Intellectuals and the Politics of…
Find out more »The Eclipse of God: Struggling with Faith in the Face of Evil
Martin Buber said that the word "God" was "the most burdened of all human words." For some, the presence of evil and oppression in human history makes it difficult or impossible to say they believe in God. Could we view these moments of despair as the absence of God, and find faith again? Drawing on Buber's image of the eclipse of God, we will discuss how we struggle and strive for faith, hope, and wholeness in the face of evil…
Find out more »Tisha B’Av Service
Join the Ansche Chesed community as we read sections of Eicha as we commemorate Tisha B'Av. The fast begins at 8:14pm JOIN US ON ZOOM
Find out more »August 2020
Summer Stories: JOURNALISM
This summer, in lieu of our popular literary series, "Scribblers on the Roof," we are proud to present our first virtual reading series. AC members will read from and discuss their work in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and other genres, Monday nights from 8-9pm. JEREMY CAPLAN: Entrepreneurial Journalism— A New Landscape for News Journalist Jeremy Caplan, Director of Education for Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism/Teacher of digital journalism at CUNY, will bring us up to speed on advances in the brave new…
Find out more »Hard Conversations about Zionism
For many American Jews, Zionism is indispensable to the thriving of the Jewish people, exemplifying the ingathering of the exiles, a revived modern Jewish culture and Hebrew language. For others, the value of those achievements cannot obscure the Israel-Palestine conflict and a 53-year-long occupation over millions of people who lack political rights none of us would forego. Recently the writer Peter Beinart (our neighborhood resident) wrote a lengthy piece on his personal evolution from espousing a "two-state solution" towards a…
Find out more »Days of Awe Amid Awful Days: Reflections from Covid Caregivers
We will celebrate the high holidays amidst a global pandemic, unimaginable loss and illness, and massive social disruption. As we approach a new year, we all carry much fatigue, uncertainty, hopelessness and unprocessed grief. To help reflect on those dynamics, please join us for a conversation with AC members who worked on the Covid front lines in NYC hospitals and clinics, nurse Brenda Dore, physician’s assistant Irene Soloway, and Rabbis Mychal Springer and Kara Tav, hospital chaplains. Their reflections can…
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