10 Fridays, January 22-March 26 | 10:45-11:45AM | 88th Street Frankel Hall Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat class for children ages 3 and under to sing songs, hear stories, give tzedakah, and engage in fun games and learning activities. We end every class with Shabbat blessings including lighting the candles, kiddush and hamotzi. Registration is now open for our Winter Session.
Cost for class is per family: $100 for members, $150 for non-members. Early Bird Discount (sign up by January 4): $72 for members, $136 for non-members. Scholarships are available for BJ members who are in need of financial assistance. Families who join as new members before January 15 will receive free registration. Please print out the Bim Bam Registration Form and return it to Emily Walsh by fax at 212-496-7600 or mail at 2109 Broadway, Suite 203, New York, NY 10023.
Torah Reading Class for Parents
Thursdays, beginning January 21 | 5:00-6:00PM | BJHS Hebrew School Have you always wanted to know how to read Torah, but never found a place to learn? We have the class for you! For 8 Thursdays, beginning January 21 join us to learn the ins and outs of troupe and Torah reading with Shira Wallach, Cantorial Intern. Then put your newfound skills to work in Junior Congregation. No previous Torah reading experience necessary, but you must be able to read Hebrew. Register here. Materials fee is $40 and the class is limited to 10 people. 8 Thursdays (January 21 through March 25; no class on 2/18 and 2/25)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) at BJ
Do you like fresh vegetables? Are you interested in knowing where your food comes from? Want an opportunity to volunteer with other BJ members during the evening? BJ has an opportunity to start our very own CSA and we want to know what you think! What’s a CSA? Find out more and take our survey here!
New and Expecting Parents Group
Mondays beginning March 8 | 3:30PM | BJ Office Conference Room
Please join us in a member’s home for a new opportunity for New and Expecting Parents. All those expecting babies in the next 9 months or who have had children in the past year are invited to participate in this group to get to know one another, share ideas on Jewish parenting and begin to build community. The group is led by Sarah Guthartz, social work intern and mom. For more information, please contact Sarah.
Social Justice Shabbaton: Retreat in the City
Friday, March 12 – Saturday, March 13 | 88th Street and 86th Street Immerse yourself in a meaningful and spirited Shabbat at BJ with a focus on social justice, spirituality, and Jewish thought. Participants will have the opportunity to get to know one another, learn together, share music and dance, joy and prayers, and build a stronger community. The Shabbaton will include a catered dinner on Friday night, a festive home-cooked Kiddush lunch, Havdalah snacks, and a full day of engaging programming for the low cost of $48 members/$58 non-members. For information and to register, please visit the Shabbaton page.
Shabbat Teaching- Hand in Hand Center for Jewish Arab Education
Saturday, March 13 | Following Kiddush after Morning Services | 86th Street Chapel
Join Lee Gordon and Amin Khalaf, co-founders of the Hand in Hand Schools in Israel and Maura Milles, Development Director, as they demonstrate the values of Vayakhel Pekudei in action. This parasha teaches that we are all part of Tikkun Olam and this organizationproves that families with shared hopes for peace can live together. This award-winning network of bilingual and multicultural accredited public schools for Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel has a far-reaching impact to educators, entire communities and government leadership, across Israel and around the world.
4th Grade Families Unroll the Torah: B’nai Mitzvah Learning Program
Saturday, March 13 | 4:30-6:30PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
This exciting event is the opening ritual for all 4th graders as they begin their ascent toward becoming bar/bat mitzvah. Together with Rabbi Roly Matalon and educators, families will unroll the Torah and students will find their bar/bat mitzvah portion. After this memorable experience, families will be invited to attend the Community Minha service in the Sanctuary. R.S.V.P. by registering online.
3rd-5th Grade Havdalah and Movie Night
Saturday, March 13 | 6:30-8:30PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Parents and siblings are invited to join the Community Minha service in the main sanctuary at 5:45* which will end with Havdalah. Then it’s a kids-only movie night watching The Prince of Egypt in honor of our upcoming celebration of Passover. The cost is $15 per child if you register in advance or $20 at the door, which includes pizza, drinks & ice cream sundaes! You can register until Friday, March 12 at 12:00PM. Please contact Leora with any questions. *4th grade families are encouraged to attend the B’nai Mitzvah family learning program which begins at 4:30PM, directly before Minha. The Havdalah ceremony will begin at approximately 6:30; please enter the service quietly if you are joining us at that point.
Fifth Annual Concert: The Music of the BJ Musicians
Sunday, March 14 | 5:30-7:30 PM | 88th Street Sanctuary Celebrate with BJ’s resident musicians as they honor our music director Ari Priven and his 20th anniversary at BJ. The concert features the world premiere of “A Hazzan’s Gift” by Amanda Monaco as well as performances by David Buchbut, Eugene Carr, Saskia Lane, Amanda Monaco, Daphna Mor, Jessie Reagen, Basya Schechter, Uri Sharlin and Matt Turk. Tickets: $20 adults/$15 seniors/$10 students, available at the door only. Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Photo: Cyndi Shattuck
Rosh Hodesh Nisan Mini Retreat: The Merit of Women in the Redemption from Egypt
Monday, March 15 | 6:00-9:30PM | 88th Street Sanctuary Join Rabbi Felicia Sol for a special in-city mini retreat to explore the women in our story of redemption. Encounter Serah, Shifra, Pu’ah and Miriam as we learn together and prepare for Pesah. The retreat will include an italian dinner and each participant will contribute something additional for the meal. The cost is $5. R.S.V.P. required. Contact Yaffa with any questions.
Networking: A Critical Ingredient in Your Job Search/Career Transition
Monday, March 15 | 7:00-9:00PM | Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th Street
A panel of KJ members will discuss how networking helped them land jobs in the early days of the recession and recruiters will share strategies for communicating your professional value. Roundtable networking opportunities with other participants and volunteers from the Career Initiative (representing various professions such as finance, law, real estate and marketing) will follow. R.S.V.P. is required here by March 12 (affiliation and profession must be included).
Conversation with Eating Animals Author Jonathan Safran Foer
Wednesday, March 17 | 8:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary The new BJ Shomrei Adama Havurah is excited to welcome the critically acclaimed author, Jonathan Safran Foer. He will speak on the topics raised in his groundbreaking new book, Eating Animals. All are invited to listen to him discuss both what our culture encourages us to put inside our bodies and which aspects of this critical conversation are hidden from the public eye. This event is free and open to the public. Contact Rabbi Ezra Weinberg for more information.
2010 New York Ride Hazon Reception
Wednesday, March 17 | 7:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall Immediately preceding the Jonathan Safran Foer event, join the BJ Revolutionaries bicycle team for a reception in celebration of Hazon’s 10th Anniversary and the opening of the 10th New York Ride. The reception, co-sponsored by B’nai Jeshurun, will feature local, kosher, delicious treats.
Tze'irim Shabbat Dinner- 20s ONLY
Friday, March 19 | Following the 7:00PM service | 88th Street Frankel Hall Join us for a Tze’irim Shabbat Dinner for 20s ONLY for a fully catered meal and wine in an intimate setting. A great chance to get together with friends, make new ones and start Shabbat together with beautiful z’mirot led by one of BJ’s musicians. Register Here.
Habitat for Humanity Service Opportunity
Sunday, March 21 | 9:00AM-4:30PM | Location given upon R.S.V.P. Join a group of 20 BJ volunteers for a day of service! Through Habitat for Humanity, we will be working on family condo units in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Our team will be completing tasks such as painting and flooring installation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ariel to R.S.V.P.
Men's Havurah
Saturday, March 27 | 5:00-7:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
This month features a conversation with the leaders of Feminenza about the relationship between gender inequality and human rights abuses in Africa. This program will include schnappsing and socializing.
Shabbat Teaching: Freedom Through Forgiveness
Saturday, March 27 | Following Kiddsuh after Morning Services | 86th Street Chapel The first step in the journey to forgiveness between the genders is to grow our understanding of each other, beyond what we have come to expect. This is a tough challenge when faced with the burden of history, culture and society’s expectations. How, in the 21st Century, can we come to learn and understand why and how we exist as two genders? Join Mary Noble and Feminenza on Shabbat Hagadol as we prepare for Pesah and how to liberate ourselves through forgiveness.
Morning Service, Siyyum and Se'udat Mitzvah
Monday, March 29 | 7:30AM | 88th Street
Following morning minyan, all are welcome to join in a siyyum, completion of a tractate of rabbinic literature, taught by Len Wasserman, followed by a se’udat mitzvah, a meal accompanying the performance of a mitzvah (here the completion of study). All first born in attendance are then permitted to eat and break the Fast of the Firstborn (Ta’anit Bekhorim).
Community Second Night Pesah Seder
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:30-11:30PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall For the third year Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein will be leading the Community Second Night Pesah Seder. Seder registration has closed. If you were planning to attend, please contact Naomi.
Cooking for the Second Night Community Pesah Seder
Available shifts are: Sunday, March 28 – 10:00AM-2:00PM; Sunday, March 28 – 2:00-6:00PM; Tuesday, March 30 – 1:00-4:00PM |88th Street Frankel Hall The Community Second Night Pesah Seder will be on Tuesday, March 30. Volunteers are needed to help with prepping and cooking. We will also need help with clean-up following the Seder. If you’re not making your own, please help to make ours a success. For more information contact Naomi.
My Israel Film Screening and Q&A with Yulie Cohen
Thursday, April 1 | 7:30PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Join us for a screening of Yulie Cohen’s movie My Israel, an account of remarkable courage and understanding set against the last turbulent decade of Israeli history. In My Israel, Yulie Cohen revisits her critically acclaimed trilogy; My Terrorist (2002), My Land Zion (2004)and My Brother (2007) with a new perspective and additional footage. Reflecting on the work she has done in the last ten years, Yulie suggests looking at all conflicts through the lens of forgiveness; to come to term with who you are is to forgive. $15 at the door.
Finding Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace: Exploring “The Seven Pillars of Forgiveness”
Sunday, April 4 | 1:00-6:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Join us for an afternoon of reflection and discussion on the challenges of bringing remedy to a world torn by conflict and misunderstanding. What is the route to peace and greater humanity upon earth? Let us find this path together. Introduction by Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein with special guest speakers, Mary Noble, Yulie Cohen and Reverend Lyndon Harris. Original music and song by Thalia’s Whisper and Ensemble Phoenix. To R.S.V.P. click here. Suggested donation $10.
Shabbat Teaching: A Hidden Child During the Shoah Remembers
Saturday, April 10 | Following Kiddush after Morning Services | 86th Street Chapel
Join us the day before Yom HaShoah, when Myriam Abramowicz will introduce Regina English, a survivor of the Shoah born in Antwerp, Belgium, who was hidden in a convent in Italy by Dominican nuns. Q&A will follow. Regina English is the Executive Director of the National Cancer Center and is the mother of BJ member Shelley English, whose artwork will be on display at 88th street during the Yom HaShoah Commemoration on Sunday, April 11th.
Yom HaShoah Service and Events
Sunday, April 11 | 6:45PM | 88th Street Sanctuary Join us for our Yom Hashoah Service when we will be reading and hearing of the names of relatives of BJ members who were murdered during the Shoah. Our commemoration service will be followed by a screening of Out Of Europe, followed by remarks and Q&A by Richard Lerner, Director and Producer, moderated by Myriam Abramowicz. The all-night vigil of the Reading of the Names will be at the JCC in Manhattan starting at 10:00PM on Sunday, April 11 to 6:00PM on Monday, April 12. The BJ reading slot is at 2:30AM. A special notice to Shoah survivors, their children and relatives: Please take a moment to submit the names (and stories) of your family members so we can add them to the list read by BJ members at the Reading of the Names. With so many of the Survivors disappearing and the rise of Holocaust deniers it is vital that the memory of those horrific years be documented and preserved. You may use the Shoah Names form. If you prefer you can email this information to Sarah, fax it to 212-787-8529, or mail to the BJ office.
Men's Havurah
Saturday, April 17 | 5:00-7:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
This month features Andrea Siegel speaking on “”Wrestling with Masculinity in Zionist Thought.” Andrea is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Purchase College SUNY in the Jewish Studies Program. She spent last year in Jerusalem and Istanbul working for the American-Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and formerly served on the BJ staff as the coordinator of BJ’s 180th Anniversary trip to Israel. This program will include schnappsing and socializing.
A Walking Tour of the Lower East Side in Memory of Phyllis Schatsky
Sunday, April 18 | 10:30AM – 12:30PM | Location given with R.S.V.P. Come explore the streets of the Lower East Side with BJ member Sam Schatsky who lived there for 25 years. Take a trip back to the years of the Depression, immigration and through the present day. Free; suggested $15 contribution to BJ. R.S.V.P. required to Belinda.
Save the Date: Annual Bikkur Holim Teaching
Tuesday, April 27 | 7:00–9:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary Please join us as we honor our Bikkur Holim volunteers and gather together as a community with Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg. During this evening of learning, we will explore the many facets and aspects of compassion. What is it? Where does it come from? How does it relate to pain and suffering? How does it function in my life as I grow older, as I support and nurture those who are ill and failing? How is compassion related to power and control, to fixing, to fear and anxiety? How does loss stimulate compassion? What are the obstacles to compassion? Is there a down side to compassion? How is compassion related to joy? How is compassion different from pity? The guest speaker, Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, is the author of Surprisingly Happy: An Atypical Religious Memoir and is the Director of Outreach and Community Development of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Free; registration not required.
6th Grade Retreat
Friday, April 30 – Sunday, May 2 | Camp Ramah Nyack
The highlight of the year is just around the corner! All 6th graders, regardless of where they receive their Jewish education, won’t want to miss this amazing retreat! Students will participate in exciting programs that bring them closer to becoming b’nai mitzvah while building community with each other. Transportation will be provided. All meals are kosher, and include snacks and dinner on Friday through breakfast on Sunday. Cost is $225; register online by April 8. Discount is $175 for those who register by March 22. Please contact Emily Walsh with any questions. Register and learn more!
2nd Grade Families Cooking for the Shelter
Tuesday, April 13| 5:00-6:30PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall 2nd graders and their families are invited to cook for the BJ/SPSA Shelter. Every month, a different grade of students and their families prepare a meal for the guests of the BJ Shelter. Together, we cook, set and decorate the table, and engage in age-appropriate study and discussion about the Jewish value of feeding the hungry. This is a community-wide program; all families of 2nd graders are invited to participate, no matter where your children receive their Jewish education. To R.S.V.P. and sign up for what you’ll bring, please contact Ellen Bender. You must R.S.V.P. to participate.
BJ Mastermind Group Forming
Attention BJ Entrepreneurs! Are you interested in meeting with other BJ entrepreneurs regularly to get free advice, encouragement, and inspiration for your business goals? We are forming a Mastermind Group for BJ entrepreneurs, facilitated by Pamela Judd. This group is for BJ members only! If interested, please email Les Judd or call (718) 530-5074 by March 26.
We Want to See Your Face Everyday - on Facebook!
Tired of knowing the faces in the crowd but not the names? Want to get to know more BJ members? Then join BJ’s Facebook group here. You can see other members, post pictures and start discussions – all just a click away! We hope this tool will help build community at BJ from online to on-site. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Join a group of 20 BJ volunteers for a day of service! Through
Thursday, April 1 | 7:30PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Sunday, April 4 | 1:00-6:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Sunday, April 11 | 6:45PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Tired of knowing the faces in the crowd but not the names? Want to get to know more BJ members? Then join BJ’s Facebook group