Past Events › Program
Events List Navigation
September 2020
Learn To Toot Your Own Horn: Shofar Blowing Workshop
The central mitzvah of Rosh HaShanah is to hear the call of the shofar with your own ears. That will be more difficult this year, as we will gather virtually for the holidays. Some of us will opt to hear the shofar through virtual links. Others will choose to come to some of the in-person opportunities AC will create. But you can always blow the shofar for yourself! It’s not that difficult to get a sound out of it, and…
Find out more »Hear Our (muted) Voices – Shema Koleynu in the Age of Zoom, Part 3: Calling From the Depths to the Highest – Mima’amakim and 13 Attributes
The High Holiday liturgy gains power when recited by hundreds of voices in unison. This year the poems, pleas, and praises of our prayers will sound different as we hear them over electronic platforms and recite them to ourselves in our apartments. Join Hazzan Hirschhorn and Rabbi Kalmanofsky to study some classic High Holiday passage, and think together about what they will mean when recited during Covid isolation. Register to join us via Zoom
Find out more »Creating a Holy Space (Wherever We Are): Transforming Our Physical Space
Davvening in a synagogue is deepened and enhanced by so many aesthetic factors. Light, stained glass, decorative art, and sacred objects -- and certainly the strength of shared community and the residue left by the thousands of prayers uttered in the room over decades. This year will be different, as we davven via electronic platforms from living rooms and kitchens, without the in-person support of our fellow worshipers. What can we do so that these everyday spaces, can also enhance our Rosh…
Find out more »Welcome Back Picnic
Join us for a social distanced picnic to see old friends, meet new ones and kick off the year at AC! We will be meeting in Riverside Park around 100th St. (use the 99th street entrance, walk to the right and look for some friendly faces) and we suggest you bring a blanket for your family to sit on. Young families are invited from 10:30 - 11:30 and our middle school/teen families are invited from 11:30 - 12:30pm. Scooters, bikes,…
Find out more »Hear Our (muted) Voices – Shema Koleynu in the Age of Zoom, Part 4: Gates of the Righteous and the Book of Life
The High Holiday liturgy gains power when recited by hundreds of voices in unison. This year the poems, pleas, and praises of our prayers will sound different as we hear them over electronic platforms and recite them to ourselves in our apartments. Join Hazzan Hirschhorn and Rabbi Kalmanofsky to study some classic High Holiday passage, and think together about what they will mean when recited during Covid isolation. Register to join us via Zoom
Find out more »October 2020
Sukkah Stroller Storytime
Unsure of where to find a Sukkah for Sukkot this year? We have one! Join Rabbi Yael Hammerman and AC Family Program Director, Emily Cobert, to visit our “Pop Up Sukkah,” hear stories about Sukkot, and learn about the lulav and etrog through some movement and sound. (This program is geared towards children age 0-4)
Find out more »Meditation Monday
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
Find out more »Or Neerav/”The Sweet Light”: An Introduction to Kabbalah
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.…
Find out more »Shirei Chesed Community Chorus at Ansche Chesed
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…
Find out more »“Not” Shabbat Morning Study
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…
Find out more »