Past Events › Program

Join us for virtual mindfulness meditation and contemplative practices to help us keep centered in these unpredictable times.  A number of our fellow congregants are experienced meditation leaders and will act as facilitators.  Through the wonders of technology, we can enjoy the power of meditating together as a community. No prior meditation experience is necessary. Each session will be led by a different member of our community. JOIN VIA ZOOM

One of the greatest of all Kabbalists, R. Moshe Cordovero (or "Ramak," 1520-1570, Safed, Land of Israel), wrote a primer on Jewish mystical doctrines to encourage all Jews to explore this secret realm. This relatively short work is available on Sefaria. To mark Ramak's 500th birthday, please join Rabbi Kalmanofsky for a weekly spiritual and intellectual adventure into the teachings and techniques that make Kabbalah one of the world's great mystical traditions. (I promise: no red strings, no holy water.…

Hazzan Natasha J. Hirschhorn, Artistic Director “If a choir is only about singing and performing - there will be no choir for a while. If choir is about teaching and learning, growing, connecting, community, cultural exploration and transmission, and innovating - we will find a way to have choir”. --Kellie Walsh - President of Choral Canada Even in the Covid era, our Shirei Chesed Community Chorus will continue to build community through learning a rich and diverse repertoire of Jewish…

While we will not be together on Shabbat morning, that doesn’t mean that we cannot study together. Join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky and members of the Ansche Chesed community on Friday mornings at 9:30 (just a day before we usually meet) to delve into the weekly portion through the eyes of favorite commentators-ancient, medieval, and modern; midrashic, mystical, and academic. In order to make this class available for as many members of our community as possible, we are holding this class…

Most of the Bible reads as God's communication to humanity, in messages delivered through prophets like the unique Moses and his successors, Isaiah, Jeremiah and the rest. But in the Book of Psalms, Israel turns toward heaven and pours out its praises, hopes, fears and laments. Please join Rabbi Kalmanofsky for a 30-minute Zoom study of one Psalm each Tuesday morning. 8:30am, to explore the human poetry that reveals our ancestors' spiritual life. (You don't have to join the 7:30 am…

Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky in the Sanctuary at 8:45am to study the weekly reading, enriched by Jewish interpretations through the ages. For years, Shabbat mornings in the chapel were an enriching face-to-face discussion around a table. Then during the Zoom era, our attendance grew substantially with people connecting remotely. Capturing the best of both worlds is not easy. Here is our current plan: we will hold the hour-long class in person in the Sanctuary (we'll bring back the table when we…

In its heyday, The “Borscht Belt” served as a getaway for the East Coast Jewish Community starting in the 1940’s. Families would spend Summers, vacations and holidays away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While these Kosher resorts in the Catskill mountains are no more, so many of us have wonderful memories of “Borscht Belt” vacations? Join Rabbi Yael Hammerman (Ansche Chesed) and Rabbi Eytan Hammerman (Jewish Community Center of Harrison) for an evening of reminiscence of our…