Finding Your Way at BJ

Pastoral and Spiritual Counseling

For Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon Contact: Sarah Guthartz, x234.
For Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein Contact: Naomi Goodhart, x240.
For Rabbi Felicia L. Sol Contact: Yaffa Garber, x256.

Conversion Inquiries

If you are considering conversion at BJ.
Contact: Rabbi Ezra Weinberg, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow, x264.

In Case of Illness

BJ members offer a wide range of support through the Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick) Committee.
Contact: Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, x256.

In Case of a Death

Please contact BJ immediately. We are here to assist with arrangements and answer your questions about death and dying rituals in Judaism. BJ’s Hevra Kadisha (comforting mourners) Committee performs tahara (preparation of the body for burial) and provides siddurim and leaders for shiva minyanim.
Contact: Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, x256 during office hours. After office hours call 212-787-7600, and follow the prompt to obtain a rabbi’s contact number.

For funeral services, BJ recommends Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, the only non-profit and communally owned chapel serving the New York Jewish community, 212-769-4400.

BJ owns cemetery plots in King Solomon Memorial Park in the West Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton, NJ, and can make burial arrangements.
Contact: Ron Seitenbach, Director of Finance, x226.

Celebrate S’mahot

Make arrangements for weddings, aliyot hatan ve’kallah (aufrufs), and baby namings. Let us know about your new baby, and we will send you Shabbat dinner and a BJ onesie!
Contact: Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, x256.

Sponsor a Kiddush

We encourage members to share their s’mahot by sponsoring a Kiddush. BJ offers a range of options for Kiddushim we arrange for you, or make your own arrangements. In either case we will help coordinate.
Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, x255.

Become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

It is essential to plan ahead of time for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah which begins in the 4th Grade. You can get an overview of BJ’s requirements.
Contact: Emily Walsh, Assistant Director of Education, Youth & Family, x243

Share News of Your Family Events

We want to include your news in the Announcements section of the KJ and on the BJ website. Tell us about the births and deaths, weddings, b’nai mitzvot, graduations, publications, and honors in your family.
Contact: Sarah Guthartz, x234.

Obtain Referrals to Community Resources

BJ can help you locate the social services you or family members may need.
Contact: Belinda Lasky, Assistant Executive Director, x224

Meet Your Special Needs

BJ is committed to inclusion. Children with special needs find the services they need and a warm welcome in the Hebrew School. For adult members with disabilities, BJ provides a variety of accommodations to help them participate fully in synagogue life.
Contact: Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education, Youth and Family, x225.

Make Connections to the BJ Community

There are many ways to connect. Participate in activities for Teens, Tze’irim (20’s and 30’s), Bekef (35+) or Ledor Vador. Volunteer at the shelter or the lunch program. Take a class. Join a committee. Celebrate Kiddush. Go on a retreat. Usher at services. Have Shabbat dinner with members. Personal assistance in finding your way is available.
Contact: Belinda Lasky, Assistant Executive Director, x224 or Sarah Verity, Senior Membership Associate, x250

Rent the Sanctuary and/or Frankel Hall

For any s’mahot you may rent BJ’s Facilities. BJ offers assistance for all aspects of the arrangements, including food, music, supplies, and rental equipment. Please note that kashrut governs the serving of food at 88th Street. Only kosher food or food prepared by approved kosher caterers may be brought into the synagogue.
Contact: Arlene Brandon, B’nai Mitzvah Program and Private Events Coordinator, x223.

Connect to BJ

Pick up the weekly Kol Jeshurun (KJ) for this week’s services, events, and news.
Read the bi-monthly Kol Hadash (KH) for articles from the Rabbis, staff, and members.
Open the weekly Community Email for highlights and links to everything.
Join BJ’s members-only LinkedIn group and BJ’s public Facebook group.
Follow BJ’s tweets at bjnyc.

Contact Us

If you haven’t found what you are looking for, then contact us.

B'nai Jeshurun