Past Events
May 2016
Lunch and Learn Connecting the Dots: A Family History Search with Guest Speaker Barbara Sontz
Barbara Sontz has been researching Jewish family histories since 1999, starting with her own mishpacha. She travelled on paths that led her back in time to the 18th century and on present-day trips to Poland, Israel and Argentina. Barbara will share her journey with you. She will tell you about her adventures, the people, places and stories she has found, and her plans to share her discoveries with new generations. Barbara has a particular connection to her mother's birthplace in Poland,…
Find out more »June 2016
Torah Study with Rabbi Yael
This week, Torah study will be led by Rabbi Yael.
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Lunch and Learn: The Prime Ministers
The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers Yehuda Avner, aide, note-taker and speechwriter for five prime ministers, reveals new details on the Six-Day War, the development of Israel's relationship with the United States, the fight against terrorism and the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War. Join us for this fascinating insight into the early years of Statehood during a screening this documentary. Please bring a dairy or pareve lunch. Tea, seltzer and cookies will be served. RSVP to RSVP@45.55.234.230.
Find out more »August 2016
Tishah B’Av
Holidays at Ansche Chesed are filled with prayer, learning and other opportunities for members to come together as a strong community. Join us.
Find out more »Tishah B’Av
Holidays at Ansche Chesed are filled with prayer, learning and other opportunities for members to come together as a strong community. Join us.
Find out more »September 2016
The Lights of Teshuva with Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
R. Avraham Isaac HaKohen Kook (1865-1935) was one of deepest spirits and most poetic thinkers in modern Judaism. In addition to his theology, his Zionism and his Halakhic leadership, Rav Kook was a profound guide for the process of repentance. Join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky to study some of Rav Kook's writings on this theme.
Find out more »November 2016
Monthly Middot: Gratitude
Tuesday, November 29 from 8:30-9:30am Join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky for bagels and coffee at our morning learning session. Each month, we will reflect on virtues - courage, honesty, generosity, humility - that make for excellent Jewish character. What makes these character virtues admirable and desirable? How do we apply them in modern life? How does a person acquire these traits? Consider joining us for morning minyan beforehand, or stay after davening if you are already a minyan regular. This Month:…
Find out more »March 2017
Black Tie: A One Man Show
A Son's Journey Through the Death and Life of His Father Written and Performed by Michael Takiff Directed by Brian Lane Green Register here.
Find out more »August 2017
September 2017
November 2017
Kabbalat Shabbat
Each Friday evening Ansche Chesed comes together to welcome Shabbat in the chapel on the ground floor. Services are often followed by an oneg Shabbat or a more formal dinner with a speaker. (Image: “An Illustrated Kabbalat Shabbat Siddur with Drawings by Daniel Nebenzahl” is shared by Daniel Nebenzahl with a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International copyleft license.)
Find out more »January 2018
Looking Through Glass by Ken Kaissar
After going against the wishes of her heart and marrying a man just to please her parents, Leah is possessed by the soul of her true love. Can an exorcism untangle their souls, or will they be forever entwined for the rest of eternity? A haunting and romantic modern-day rendition of the Jewish classic The Dybbuk by S. Ansky, that reminds us that love is a destiny that can't be escaped.
Find out more »Talmud Study with Rabbi Kalmanofsky
This year we will study material from the first chapters of Bava Batra (in the Artscroll Talmud available at West Side Judaica or online) about the duties that neighbors have regarding each other's property. These sections will have interesting implications for economic competition, environmental safeguards and communal welfare in the modern age.
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Tu B’Shevat 5778 – Hear the Call of the Forest
For Tu B'Shevat this year join us as we take a walk in the woods with beloved Irish-Canadian scientist and author, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, as she reveals our profound human connection to the ancient & sacred northern forests and the essential role that they play in sustaining the health of our planet. Come see Call of the Forest a documentary film in which Diana Beresford-Kroeger explores the science, folklore, and history of this essential eco-system reminding us that when we improve our profound…
Find out more »February 2018
Lunch and Schmooze
Rethinking Lunch and Learns at Ansche Chesed. Join Ansche Chesed’s Darone Ruskay and DOROT’s Yael Kornfeld for an open conversation about the kinds of daytime programming (Lunch and Learns, outings, films, and class topics) that YOU want in our community. Bring your lunch and ideas. Learn about the work DOROT does, and the ways that you can support it, and it can support you; and spend a few hours with your community noshing and schmoozing.
Find out more »April 2018
Sanctuary Service
Led by Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn, join us for the fully egalitarian Sanctuary Service. The Sanctuary Service follows the traditional Conservative liturgy. We read the Torah on the annual cycle, completing the entire Torah each year.
Find out more »September 2018
Mincha/Ma’ariv
Holidays at Ansche Chesed are filled with prayer, learning and other opportunities for members to come together as a strong community. Join us.
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Shabbat Morning Study
Led by Rabbi Kalmanofsky and other synagogue members, sessions are on the weekly portion through the eyes of favorite commentators—ancient, medieval, and modern; midrashic, mystical, and academic.
Find out more »October 2018
Talmud Study with Rabbi Kalmanofsky
The Secret Mysticism of the Talmud Generally, Talmud is the least esoteric sort of Jewish wisdom. The Sages' care mostly about often very mundane law, like property disputes and kashrut. But Talmud also has its own occult lore. This year in Wednesday night Talmud we will study the second chapter of Tractate Hagigah, which you can purchase on-line, or through our dear friends at West Side Judaica. We'll read stories of mystical rabbis, and we will supplement the Talmud's material…
Find out more »November 2018
Ma’ariv
Join us for a traditional Ma'ariv service on Wednesday nights, following Talmud Study with Rabbi Kalmanofsky.
Find out more »September 2019
Welcome Back AC Shabbat Service and Dinner
Join us for a "Welcome Back BBQ" to kick off another year of Family Programs! Services will begin at 5:30pm in the Chapel. Dinner will begin at 6:30pm in Hirsch Hall. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 18th at Noon Questions? Contact Deena at dcowans@anschechesed.org
Find out more »July 2022
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join us as we begin Shabbat with our traditional Kabbalat Shabbat and maariv service. Please join the Ansche Chesed clergy to reconnect with our community as well as find nourishment and inspiration in the music and words of our tradition. Kabbalat Shabbat services will be held in-person in the Chapel.
Find out more »August 2022
Tisha B’Av: Learning Session
Ritual Innocence and Moral Guilt: Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky to discuss rabbinic sources attributing the destruction of the Temple to failures of interpersonal ethics -- and pointing the way forward through commandments of kindness.
Find out more »October 2022
Grief Support Circle
As the year ebbs and flows, and holidays come and go, our thoughts may turn to loved ones, family and friends, we have lost. As we approach the Yamim Nora’im, DOROT Social Worker Hilary Forrest and Rabbi Yael Hammerman will co-facilitate a Grief Support Circle for those who are experiencing the High Holy Days without a loved one for the first (or second, or third) time. Please join us. Register here; and feel free to reach out to Rabbi Yael…
Find out more »The Torah of Abraham Joshua Heschel
This year marks the 50th yahrzeit of R. Abraham Joshua Heschel z”l. Instead of our usual Talmud study, Rabbi Kalmanofsky’s Wednesday night group will devote the fall months to Heschel’s thought. Please join us to experience the depth and beauty unlocked by this epochal sage. Followed by ma'ariv at 8pm. Also available virtually via Zoom.
Find out more »November 2022
Kabbalat Shabbat: Shabbat Shalom Banayich
We invite all kids to bring their families to Ansche Chesed, to welcome Shabbat together with songs and stories, led by our clergy and Aliza Sebert. The service will highlight our ACHS Kitah Dalet and Hey students - but all are welcome! There will also be a special Thanksgiving-themed snack! Join us in-person in the Chapel, or virtually on Zoom.
Find out more »Thanksgiving Kabbalat Shabbat
The most important religious emotion? Gratitude. On this Thanksgiving Shabbat, we will devote our 5:30pm Friday night services to the theme of expressing gratitude, both toward heaven and on earth. Please come with a story in mind that expresses your personal thankfulness.
Find out more »December 2022
Profiles in Peace Book Discussion with Rabbi Ron Kronish
Join us for a discussion with Rabbi Ron Kronish about his new book, Profiles in Peace: Voices of Peacebuilders in the Midst of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Rabbi Kronish is an interreligious peace activist and longtime Jerusalem resident whose new book traces the lives of six veteran peacebuilders – three Palestinian Arabs and three Jewish Israelis – offering their visions for a better future for Palestinians and Israelis alike. RSVP here, walk-ins welcome.
Find out more »January 2023
Kabbalat Shabbat with New Voices – Shira B’Dira
This Friday evening we open our doors to the Shira B’Dira community and celebrate the beginning of Shabbat with joyful song and powerful ruach. All are welcome! Shira b’Dira (literally translates as "song in apartment") was started by Eliana Light and Sam Blustin in 2015 as a liturgically traditional, egalitarian singing prayer community based on the UWS. It is now led by team members Marty Feuerstein-Mendik, Jacob Kaplan-Lipkin, Sharon Litwinoff, and Ben Gellman. Our intention is to build and hold…
Find out more »February 2023
Hevra Kadisha Meeting
Ansche Chesed, our “Community of Kindness,” has an admirable history of kindness to the deceased, enacted through our Hevra Kadisha, the “Holy Society” of people who volunteer to wash and prepare people’s bodies for burial. Surely, this is not the easiest mitzvah to perform, but it is one of the noblest. Now, our Hevra Kadisha needs an infusion of new volunteers – especially men, but women are encouraged to come out as well. Would you consider being part of this special community of mitzvah-doers?…
Find out more »March 2023
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed: The Bluegrass Kabbalat Shabbat Experience
Please join us this Friday (March 31) for fresh-sounding and family-friendly Shabbat services, and stay for an oneg afterwards to wish farewell to Josh Hanft, on his final day as our Executive Director. Josh’s contributions to AC as both a professional and lay leader have been incalculable over the years. Come and express your thanks and good wishes to him in person! RSVPs requested to help our planning, but not required. Please come anyway! The Oneg will follow a special Kabbalat Shabbat…
Find out more »May 2023
Friday Night with New Voices
We invite all teens to bring their friends and families to Ansche Chesed, to welcome Shabbat together with songs and stories, led by our teen leaders, clergy and Aliza Sebert.
Find out more »Shirei Shabbat – with a Musical Surprise!
Join Hazzan Hirschhorn for an evening of song and prayer as we support and elevate the voice of our community with the help of Shirei Chesed singers. We hope that everyone will feel empowered and inspired to lift their voice with us in holy harmony, b'nima kedosha. Come to hear what musical surprise we have for you today!
Find out more »March 2024
Morning Minyan and Megillah Reading
Join us on Purim morning for morning minyan and a full Megillah reading in the Chapel at 8am, also available via Zoom.
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