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January 2021
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 »Weekday Morning Minyan
Anyone who has ever visited Ansche Chesed’s morning minyan will tell you that it is something very special. Meeting in the chapel on the ground floor, the minyan brings together all segments of Ansche Chesed’s diverse community. They gather to say Kaddish for loved ones, to comfort others in mourning, to celebrate simchahs (joyous occasions) and to ground themselves before starting their day. The service is brisk and allows for a more meditative and personal approach than the more formal Shabbat service…
Find out more »Psalm Of The Week
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…
Find out more »Love and Rebuke: Social Protest and the Legacy of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King's advocacy of non-violent protest was deeply rooted in a Christian love ethic that demands love of the enemy. Join Rabbi Bill Plevan to look at some of the most daring of King's interpretations of this love ethic and consider how Jews might view the relationship between love and non-violent social protest. In particular we will look at the relationship between love and rebuke in Leviticus 19:17-18 and its meaning for the challenges of our times. Rabbi Bill…
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 »Inauguration Eve Maariv
At Bill Clinton's inauguration 28 (!!) years ago, Maya Angelou read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning," including these lines: History, despite its wrenching pain, Cannot be unlived, and if faced With courage, need not be lived again. On the eve of a new president's inauguration, please join Ansche Chesed on Tuesday, January 19, for Maariv services at 8pm. Sharing fears and hopes, we will ready ourselves as American Jewish citizens for the challenges and possibilities ahead. JOIN US VIA…
Find out more »Weekday Morning Minyan
Anyone who has ever visited Ansche Chesed’s morning minyan will tell you that it is something very special. Meeting in the chapel on the ground floor, the minyan brings together all segments of Ansche Chesed’s diverse community. They gather to say Kaddish for loved ones, to comfort others in mourning, to celebrate simchahs (joyous occasions) and to ground themselves before starting their day. The service is brisk and allows for a more meditative and personal approach than the more formal Shabbat service…
Find out more »Talmud Study With Rabbi Kalmanofsky: Taking Responsibility and Fixing Mistakes
This year, the Wednesday night Talmud class will focus on Bava Kamma chapter 9. Jewish ethics require us to be responsible people -- that we fix what we break, and pay for our crimes. This year we will study some of the Talmud's lengthy examination of torts, the complicated economic damages people can cause. Bava Kamma chapter 9 examines the laws of robbery, fraud and the restitution those criminals must make. The chapters we will be focusing on can be found…
Find out more »Weekday Morning Minyan
Anyone who has ever visited Ansche Chesed’s morning minyan will tell you that it is something very special. Meeting in the chapel on the ground floor, the minyan brings together all segments of Ansche Chesed’s diverse community. They gather to say Kaddish for loved ones, to comfort others in mourning, to celebrate simchahs (joyous occasions) and to ground themselves before starting their day. The service is brisk and allows for a more meditative and personal approach than the more formal Shabbat service…
Find out more »