Preparation for Yamim Nora'im

Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow
3 Wednesdays (August 18, 25 and September 1) | 6:30-8:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
During the month of Elul, we reflect on the year now past. Traditionally called a “heshbon hanefesh”– literally an “accounting of the soul” – we ask whether we were our best selves and what is the atonement we are in search of.  Often, we find ourselves in a similar place to where we were a year before, struggling to make the change we seek real, frustrated that we missed the mark yet again. Using stories and texts, we will learn about the difficulty of change and how we can move together towards repentance and at-one-ment. Free; Registration required.

Selihot 5771

Saturday, September 4 | 9:30PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
Join us as we prepare for the High Holy Days with Selihot. The night will begin with melodies and poetry for the High Holy Days as we prepare for Selihot through the discussion and singing of a selection of Piyutim. Following coffee and dessert hour, we will conclude with the Selihot service. Free; open to all.

Komen Race for the Cure

Sunday, September 12 | 8:00AM | 88th Street Sanctuary and Central Park
Mark your calendars now for the 2010 Komen Race for the Cure. It only takes a minute to register and you will be part of building a large BJ community team and contributing to the fight against breast cancer. Visit the Komen website, click on “Join a Race Team,” and select “Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.” We will start the day at BJ with breakfast and prayer, and then walk together to join the race. For more information contact Andrea Bigelisen Riskin.

Yom Kippur Community Break Fast

Saturday, September 18 | Following Teki’at Shofar and Havdalah | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Join us for our Community Break Fast. $23 members/ $33 non-members, and $10 for children ages 6-12. Space is limited,  so register by September 12 to reserve your spot. Click here to register. For more information contact Guy Felixbrodt.

Sukkah Decorating Party

Tuesday, September 21 | 3:00-5:00PM | BJ Sukkah at SPSA (88^th Street Frankel Hall – Rain Location)
Make your mark on the BJ Sukkah!  Children and families of all ages are welcome to join us for a fun-filled afternoon of creating decorations for the BJ Sukkah.  We’ll provide supplies, and feel free to bring your own to contribute as well.  Sign up online, and plan to join us.

Sukkahfest

Wednesday, September 22- Sunday, September 26 | Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat
Surround yourself with fall foliage and friends during this glorious harvest festival. Dine, celebrate and sing in our lakeside sukkah, open your heart with yoga and meditation, or simply relax. Share in the bounty of the local organic farm, tour the farm itself, hike the surrounding hills and take a canoe out on the lake. This retreat is co-sponsored by BJ; see and share our flyer, and use discount code BJSF10 at registration for 20% off room & board! For more information and to register, visit www.isabellafreedman.org, call 800-398-2630 or contact Gregg Schwartz with questions.

BJ Sings in the Sukkah

Saturday, September 25 | Following Lunch | 86th Street Sukkah
The BJ Sings! Havurah enters its second year of activity this fall. Founded by BJ member Jules Frankel, the group meets once a month on Shabbat afternoons to sing a variety of songs and to extend Shabbat activities through the afternoon. On the Shabbat of Sukkot, BJ Sings will convene after lunch to sing in the Sukkah.  All BJ members are invited to come and sing along.

7th Annual NYC Wedding March - Sign Up Now!

Sunday, September 26 | Brooklyn Bridge | 11:00AM Meet Up Time
Say “I do” with other members of B’nai Jeshurun as we pray with our feet in the New York City Wedding March across the  Brooklyn Bridge. Same-sex couples are relegated to second-class citizens when  marriage rights are denied. Marriage is the bridge to more than 700 rights in  New York State. Help us recruit 150 BJ members to say I DO by September 1. Do you? This march will be less than 2 miles, so bring your friends and family! Read more about the march or sign up now.

Pot-Luck Dinner and Discussion in the BJ Sukkah

Monday, September 27 | 7:00PM | 86th Street Sukkah
Join the Shomrei Adamah Havurah (Keepers of the Earth) for a delicious pot-luck dinner and discussion in the Sukkah! We will discuss the Jewish response to the Gulf Oil Spill, and the failure of the U.S. Senate to pass climate change legislation. Please bring a vegetarian entree for 6 – 8 people. R.S.V.P. to Les Judd or call 718-601-8918.

Habitat for Humanity Service Opportunity

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Sunday, October 3rd | Brooklyn | 9:00AM-4:30PM
Help build Habitat for Humanity Green Homes (with Green Roofs & a Back Yard!) with Tze’irim in Brooklyn. No previous construction experience needed! R.S.V.P. to volunteers if you are interested in participating. Please only R.S.V.P. if you can attend for the entire day.

Introduction To Judaism

Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow
Mondays (October 11 – May 23) | 7:00-9:00PM |
BJ Office, Conference Room
Cost: Individuals $420/$636, couples $630/$945
This course offers an overview of the core beliefs, practices, and history of Judaism and the Jewish people. We hope to deepen the understanding of those just beginning to explore Jewish life as well as of those who would like to participate more fully in the life of the Jewish community.
No prior knowledge or experience necessary. Registration required.

Blood Drive

Wednesday, October 6 | 3:00-9:00PM  | 88th Street Sanctuary
Give the gift of life and sign-up now for the BJ Blood Drive! Please call 212-787-7600 x373 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and best time slot for you. Learn more about how you can prepare to donate and learn about any restrictions that may apply. Contact Trudi Levine to R.S.V.P. or if you have any questions.

Bim Bam Fall Session

Friday Mornings, October 8-December 17 | 9:30-10:15AM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat class for children ages 3 and under to sing Hebrew and Shabbat related songs, hear stories, and give tzedakah. Led by an experienced songleader/educator, the kids enjoy fun activities that connect song and motion to Jewish learning. We end every class with Shabbat blessings including lighting the candles, kiddush and hamotzi. Register now for the 9:30 class by October 7 (the 10:45 class is full), and know that space is limited. The cost is $100 for members and $150 for non-members per family (new members can register for free). Contact Kristen Kersey with any questions. Please note that class will not meet on Friday, November 26.

The Rabbinic Mind and Imagination: Pirke deRabbi Eliezer

Rabbi Felicia L. Sol
8 Tuesdays (October 12 through December 7 – No class November 9) | 12:30-1:45PM | BJ Office Conference Room
Explore the way the Sages understood the Torah through the close textual reading of the 9th century midrashic work Pirke deRabbi Eliezer. Come to know how the rabbis thought, their creative imagination and their responses to questions in the Torah. No Hebrew reading necessary. Free of charge; registration required.

Interfaith Music Feast

Sunday, October 17 | 5:00–7:30PM | 86th Street Social Hall
We’ll gather with Christians and Muslims for an hour-long concert by not-to-be-missed Jewish, Christian, and Muslim musicians, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner, trivia fun, and singing! All ages are welcome and there is no charge. Priority is given to BJ members until September 26. R.S.V.P. by October 3 or call the Interfaith Committee at x379. Please state the names of all guests and whether you are BJ members, the ages of any children, and your phone number.  Please note that registration is not complete until you receive a confirmation.

Tze’irim Shabbat Picnic

Saturday, September 4 | Central Park | 1:15PM
Come and enjoy the last picnic lunch of 5770 in Central Park with Tze’irim! We will make Kiddush at 1:15pm. We’re looking forward to some great weather, great food (please bring a veggie/dairy dish to share), and great fun. Enter the park at the north corner of W86th St and go to the fenced-in grassy hill right next to the bike loop road. There will be a Tze’irim sign, no RSVP necessary, but pending weather!

Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Heavenly Torah

Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon 
6 Tuesdays (October 5, 12, 26  November 2, 16, 23) | 6:30-8:00 PM  |  88th Street Sanctuary
We resume our reading and study of Rabbi Heschel’s gigantic work on rabbinic thought. Heavenly Torah explores the polarity in Judaism between transcendence and immanence, and between mysticism and rationalism. In the chapters we will address this year, Heschel invites us to look at fundamental religious questions such as what is the reason for the mitzvot? What is the nature of prophecy? Where does the Torah come from? Please bring the book to class (available in paperback), no photocopies will be distributed. New participants are welcome.  Registration required.

New and Expecting Parents Group

Mondays or Wednesdays | 12:00PM or 6:30PM| Location given upon R.S.V.P.
Please join us 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 Theresa Gerstein, who is a new mom and member of BJ.