See All Event Registration Forms | See Calendar in Grid View | See Other Events of Interest
Friday, February 3 | 7:45PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Join your BJHS classmates at a Shabbat dinner for third and fourth grades. We will join together for services in the sanctuary before heading downstairs for dinner, songs and Shabbat blessings. Register online, and contact Kristen with any questions.
Friday, February 3 | 5:15PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Families will enjoy a kid-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service filled with singing and dancing. Services begin at 5:15PM in the main sanctuary followed by a dinner at 5:45PM downstairs in Frankel Hall complete with Shabbat blessings and songs. Dinner will include delicious choices for adults as well as children, and vegetarian options will be available; dietary laws observed. While adults are finishing their meal, teen volunteers will engage children in games and more songs! Register by noon on Wednesday, February 1 and contact Kristen Kersey with any questions or specific dietary requests.
Friday, February 3-Sunday, February 26 | Anytime | 88th Street and 86th Street
Your old, used, and spare specs can make a world of a difference. Bring your old glasses to services during the month of February and drop them in the collection boxes. BJ will donate the glasses to the Jewish Guild for the Blind to benefit visually impaired people in our city. Glasses can also be dropped off at 88th Street during business hours through February 26. For more info, contact Dorothy Luft.
Saturday, February 4 | Shabbat Services | 88th Street Sanctuary
The BJ community thrives on the activity and support of over one thousand volunteers. Volunteers personify one of the three pillars upon which BJ was built and demonstrate commitment to serving our community through many meaningful initiatives. We invite you to join together for the honor of being called to the Torah for an aliyah during services, with a Kiddush in your honor immediately following. R.S.V.P. to Belinda Lasky by February 1.
Saturday, February 4 | 5:45-7:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Come celebrate the end of Shabbat with BJ Spiritual leaders and musicians for an interactive, warm, and inviting musical Havdalah Service. Inspired by Rodeph Sholom’s Special Needs Holiday Services, this sensory friendly Havdalah Service is designed to be inclusive of all children and adults with special needs. Healthy snacks will be available, as well as opportunities for active participation. Prepare children for what to expect with My Musical Havdalah, a social story picture book created especially for this event. All are welcome, including members and non-members. R.S.V.P. is essential, as we will provide preparatory materials in advance. Please contact Emily Walsh with any questions. Our next service will be held on April 28.
Saturday, February 4 | 9:30AM | 86th Street Chapel
Fifth grade students and their parents can join Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein to explore all the parts of the Torah Service. He’ll guide us through a close look at the ritual object and practice dancing the choreography of bringing out the Torah and reading from this sacred text. This morning program is guaranteed to wake you up and work you out. Afterwards, families will head downstairs to Junior Congregation in the Social Hall where we will honor Rabbinic Intern, Mick Fine. Register online for this program by February 3.
Dr. Daniel Fainstein
Sunday, February 5 | 10:00AM-2:00PM | One East 65th Street
Explore the life and work of one of the outstanding rabbis of our time. Learn about a leader, who was a strong critic of the Argentinean military government of 1976-1982, working to save the lives of hundreds of persecuted individuals. Discover how he started the transformation of B’nai Jeshurun with his challenging theology and be inspired by his educational goal of creating a multi-dimensional human being. Co-sponsored by BJ and the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning. Cost $60/$50 for BJ members. Registration is required.
Monday, February 6 | 4:30-6:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
All 3rd graders will come together to cook a meal for the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter regardless of where they receive their Jewish education. In the Hebrew School’s effort to bring more social action into the classroom, this activity will occur during class time and last until 6:00pm. Together, the 3th grade will cook, set and decorate the table for our guests, and engage in age-appropriate study and discussion about the Jewish value of feeding the hungry. Due to limited space, parent participation is limited to first-come-first-serve. For more information and to R.S.V.P., contact Jessica Forman by Friday, February 3.
Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon
7 Tuesdays (February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 13, 20, 27) | 6:30-8:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
We will examine the Rambam’s approach to prayer in his legal code Mishneh Torah—The Book Of Love (Sefer Ahavah) and his invaluable teachings about the development of Jewish prayer, including: prayer as fulfillment of the commandments to serve God and to love God; the role of kavannah; what is the place of contemplation?; how can we reconcile spontaneous prayer and mandatory prayer?; can we petition God?; can prayer shape our character and influence our actions? Free of charge; Registration required here.
Tuesday, February 7 | 7:30PM | 86th Street Chapel
Join BJ Rabbinic Fellows Jonah Geffen and Adam Roffman and Shomrei Adamah, BJ’s Environmental Havurah, for a festive and uplifting Tu Bishvat Seder. Enjoy a combination of wine, all-natural snacks, mystical texts, songs and compostable plates. The seder will be a spiritual journey intended to heighten our awareness of human responsibility for and attunement with the natural world. For more information contact Jonah Geffen. Register by February 6. $10 members/$18 non-members.
Wednesday, February 8 | 7:00PM | Wharf Bar and Grill
In honor of Tu Bishvat, Tze’irim is throwing a happy hour! Your $10 entry to the event will not only be donated to the Jewish National Fund to plant a tree in Israel, but it will get you access to an event with drink specials, fun friends, and great food. The event will take place at the Wharf Bar and Grill (587 3rd Avenue between 38th and 39th Street). Register here to attend.
Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon
7 Thursdays (February 9, 16, 23, March 1, 15, 22, 29) | 12:30-1:30PM | Midtown location T.B.A., Lunch and Learn (please bring your own lunch)
We will study stories that reflect the concerns and struggles, fears and fantasies, even the dark side of our Talmudic sages. We will attempt to look at ourselves in the mirror of the Talmud in order to understand and confront our own nature. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. Free of charge; Registration required here.
Thursday, February 9 | 5:00-6:00PM | 89th Street Classroom
Parents of Junior Congregation kids are invited to learn about the meaning, order, and choreography of the Shabbat morning service, taught by Rabbinic Intern for Youth and Family Mick Fine. Please feel free to come with questions or to learn about the how’s and why’s of Junior Congregation. R.S.V.P. to Kristen.
Thursday, February 9-Tuesday, February 14 | Multiple Times | Various Locations
Don’t miss the 4th Annual ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival in multiple locations throughout NY. Exceptional films, special events, and engaging discussions will bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. Visit NY.ReelAbilities.org for full schedule and information.
Friday, February 10 | Following the service | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Join us for a community dinner with teacher-in-residence Chaim Seidler-Feller, director of UCLA Hillel. Rabbi Seidler-Feller has taught Kabbalah and Talmud at the University of Judaism, is a Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, and is a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Wilstein Institute for Social Policy. Enjoy a three course kosher meal with wine, and great company. Register by February 8.
Saturday, February 11 | 12:20-1:15PM | 86th Street Parlor
New to BJ or considering joining? Come to the “BJ 101″ session led by seasoned members and discover some of the traditions and history that make the BJ community and our services unique. We will meet immediately following Shabbat morning services. New and potential members are welcome to join us and hear about interesting facts and customs of BJ. Bring friends who are looking to find a spiritual connection. Contact Jon Wood if you plan to attend.
Saturday, February 11 | 4:30-5:30PM | 86th Street Chapel
Join Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, director of the UCLA Hillel, for Shabbat afternoon study.
3 Thursdays (February 2, 9, 16) | 7:00-8:30PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
1 Thursday (February 23) | 9:45-11:00AM | Metropolitan Museum of Art
This four-part series called Understanding Bible Through Art:The First Family is comprised of three slide shows at BJ and a culminating tour at the Met, led by Rabbi Lewis Warshauer. There will be a registration cost for the series; the more participants, the lower the cost per person. Please contact Nancy Greenblatt.
Monday, February 20 | 6:00-7:30PM | 88th Street Kitchen
Join TZ as we make dinner for the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter. We’ll meet at 6:00PM downstairs in the kitchen (88th Street between Broadway and West End Ave). As usual, all the cooks will split the cost of the groceries ($8-10), and no cooking experience is necessary. R.S.V.P. by Sunday, February 19 to the SA/SJ committee.
Wednesday, February 22 | 7:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Each new month on the Hebrew calendar, we study, discuss, celebrate and pray together on this holiday traditionally associated with women. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian kosher snack to share. Contact Amanda for more information.
Saturday, February 25 | 4:45PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Rabbi David Ellenson, President of HUC-JIR, will speak on on the topic “Two Definitions of Judaism and Jewish Peoplehood: Modern Israeli Responsa on Conversion.” He will focus on the radically different responsa of several prominent rabbis about conversion, their legal reasoning and different conceptions of Jewish peoplehood, and their implications for Judaism both in Israel and the Diaspora today.
Sunday, March 4 | 1:15PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
“It’s the Purim Show!” Join Mordy & Marty the Frogs along with Fozie, Fuzie, Ms. Prissy and the rest of the Purims & Misfits as they take on Ham(an) & Pam Richman, and try and save the great Purim theatre from meeting its demise. Presented by BJ’s 3rd-6th graders. Prior to the show our Kindergarten through second graders will tell the real story of Purim through word and song. Come from the carnival at 12:00PM, but stay for the show.
Sunday, March 4 | 4:00-8:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Get in the Purim spirit as we assemble 1,500 mishloah manot (Purim gift packages). This event is sure to “BJoyous”- the theme for this year’s mishloah manot. As you assemble, enjoy music, trivia, and snacks. This will be a “Celebration of the Decades” and we invite you to dress with a nod to the 50′s, 60′s, or 70′s. To sign up for a two-hour volunteer shift (4:00-6:00PM or 6:00-8:00PM), click here. For more information contact Debbie Lerner.
Mekusharim Shabbat Dinner
Friday, March 9 | Following services | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Let’s toast Esther’s charms with a classic Shabbat dinner for ages 55+. Charm your table and be guided into the Persian past. Why, you may wonder, is Purim such a strange mix of hiddenness and boisterousness? What was Esther hiding with her charm? For the answers to these questions about this holiday of zany goings-on, we turn to Adam Roffman, BJ’s Rabbinic Fellow. Cost: $33/members, $43/non-members. Register by Wednesday, February 29 and contact Belinda Lasky for more information.
Friday Mornings, January 20-May 18 | 9:30-10:15AM and 10:45-11:30AM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat class for children ages 3 and under to sing Hebrew and Shabbat related songs and enjoy Jewish learning activities. Every class ends with lighting Shabbat candles, kiddush and hamotzi. Register now for the 9:30 class (geared for ages 18 months-3 years) or the 10:45 class (geared for 18 months and under), and know that space is limited. Cost is $160/members and $210/non-members per family. Contact Kristen Kersey with any questions. Note: class will not meet April 6 and 13.
Thursday, May 3 | 7:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Israel’s next great crisis may come not with the Palestinians or Iran, but with young American Jews. Join us as we host Peter Beinart, an associate professor of journalism and political science at the City University of New York and a former editor of The New Republic, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, and the senior political writer for The Daily Beast, as he lays out in chilling detail the looming danger to Israeli democracy and the American Jewish establishment’s refusal to confront it.
We are again the proud owners of our former Community House at 270 W. 89th Street.