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September 2024
Alan Mintz Memorial Study Session, with Minyan M’at
Join Minyan M'at for a teaching session in memory of our dear friend Alan Mintz, a longtime member of Ansche Chesed and Minyan M’at and one of the preeminent scholars of modern Hebrew literature. This annual series brings friends and colleagues of Alan’s to teach something appropriate to Alan’s many scholarly and personal interests. Teaching this year's session will be Alan’s friend and fellow Agnon scholar Dr. Anne Golomb Hoffman, Professor Emerita of English and Comparative Literature/Fordham University and a…
Find out more »“Questions You’ll Be Asked in Heaven” with Rabbi Yael Hammerman
Elul is a month of self-reflection - a time to prepare yourself for the Yamim Noraim. But, what exactly should you reflect on? Join Rabbi Yael Hammerman in exploring the “Questions You’ll Be Asked in Heaven” - at least, according to the Talmud (Shabbat 31a). In truth, no one has ever come back to verify this... Nonetheless, we’ll look at what the rabbis proposed to get our minds, hearts and spirits warmed up for Tishrei. No Hebrew or Talmud skills…
Find out more »Time-Machine Teshuva, with Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
"The past is never dead," William Faulkner wrote. "It's not even past." OK, Faulker was probably not talking about Jewish concepts of penitence. But he could have been. One of our deepest teachings is that teshuva today today transforms both tomorrow and yesterday. Let's talk with sages through the ages to reflect on how reshaping the future reshapes the past. Please RSVP online. Walk-ins also welcome.
Find out more »“Of a Certain Age”: An Elul Tale of Two Goats
Please join us to read Sheldon Lewis’ new, entertaining, thought-provoking short play about forgiveness, sacrifice, and moral accountability. A lively discussion will follow. Please RSVP online.
Find out more »Community Shabbat Dinner + “Who Knows One?” Live!
"Who Knows One?" is a hilarious live show that became a cultural hit in the Jewish community over the course of the pandemic, reuniting old friends and creating new ones with an innovative game that combines Six Degrees of Separation and Jewish Geography. This September, Micah Hart, the creator of "Who Knows One?" is bringing the experience to Ansche Chesed, over Shabbat dinner, with a new live, interactive version of the show. Come see how we're all connected to each other and share…
Find out more »Poems for our Days: Conversation with Sacred Texts, with Israeli Poetry Teacher Rachel Korazim
The calamity of October 7th and the ongoing war have left Israel and the Jewish world in shock and despair. The unimaginable became our reality, yet we find ourselves less able to talk about it. The most common expression is ein milim/no words! And yet, some struggle and do find words in poetry. Israeli poetry has always been in conversation with Torah, Midrash, prayer and other classical texts. It is not surprising that amazing new poems, all over the Israeli…
Find out more »Heading to the Polls: American Jewish Civics in a Post-October 7 World
With neighboring synagogues, AC is co-sponsoring a 3-part series to explore the implications of this defining moment on Jewish civic identity. Join us at B'nai Jeshurun, Ansche Chesed, and Rodeph Shalom to hear from Shalom Hartman Institute scholars Yehuda Kurtzer, Elana Stein Hain, and Tamara Mann Tweel. The first session, Retreat & Reenter: A Model for American Jewish Civic Commitment, will be taught by Tamara Mann Tweel and held at B'nai Jeshurun (257 W. 88th St.) Learn More and Register
Find out more »Young People’s Shabbat Dinner
After Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:30, join us (the 20s and 30s) for a dairy potluck dinner on the 5th floor. Old and new faces are welcome. Please bring a dairy or pareve side dish or dessert to share. Food should be prepared in accordance with Ansche Chesed's Kashrut policy. Click Here to RSVP
Find out more »Selichot Program: Addressing Agonizing Questions for Israel and America, with Prof. Moshe Halbertal
Moshe Halbertal teaches law and philosophy at Hebrew University and NYU. He is among the authors of the IDF Code of Conduct, and ranks among the deepest modern thinkers about Torah. With tefillot to follow: https://anschechesed.org/calendar-item/selichot-service/
Find out more »Selichot Service
Following our Selichot Program, please join Hazzan Hirschhorn, along with our long-time friends, AC member Mike Cohen on winds and percussionist Ronnen Itzik, for Selichot services, as we implore that God לשמוע אל הרינה ואל התפילה , “hear our prayer and praise,” and help us ready ourselves for this season of teshuva.
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