Weekday Evening Minyan: A Pilot of the Center for Prayer and Spirituality
Mondays-Thursdays through June 27 | 6:30PM | Community House
Join us for the final weeks of the Evening Minyan Pilot, continuing through the end of June. It is our hope that—through communal engagement—this will become a long-term practice
Dangerous Torah—Summer Kick Off and Lecture Series
Tuesdays, June 18, 25; July 9 | 7:30-9:00PM | Sanctuary
Torah can be riveting, exciting, thought-provoking, and difficult. What do we do when the texts we love also make us uncomfortable? To that end, Hadar is proud to present Dangerous Torah. We will tackle tough questions posed by Jewish texts and contexts, and the joys of wrestling with them.
BJ members can register for free using the code BJMEMBER.
Podcasts, Popcorn, and Prosecco
Abortion: An Exploration of Jewish Law and Values
Wednesday, June 19 | 7:00PM | Middle Room
Is Judaism pro-life or pro-choice? Can it be both? What is Judaism’s contribution to the current debate? Join Rabbi Adina Lewittes for an evening of study and discussion on a topic both ancient and urgently current.
World Refugee Day Action
Thursday, June 20 | 6:00PM | Assemble at East 59th Street & 5th Avenue
On World Refugee Day, join BJ, African Communities Together (ACT), and our City of Refuge Coalition partners as we march and rally to stop the refugee ban, save asylum, and defend temporary protected status (TPS). This year we will be calling attention to the prolonged detention of asylum seekers and the deaths of refugee children in U.S. custody, and calling for a truly humanitarian immigration policy.
Cooking In Hebrew: A Course in Israeli Cuisine
Thursday, June 20 | 6:30-9:00 PM | Frankel Hall
Food is a world unto itself. It’s a peep-through window, a bridge between worlds and a key to different cultures. Food brings people together and opens hearts; food comforts and stimulates memories.
Cooking In Hebrew (מבשלים בעברית), is a unique workshop series sponsored by the World Zionist Organization—Department for Diaspora Activities. Throughout the meetings, participants learn to prepare traditional Israeli and Middle-Eastern kosher dishes, exposing them to Israel’s multi-cultural society, and an opportunity to improve on their Hebrew in the process. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or cooking necessary – this program is suitable for beginners and fluent Hebrew speakers alike! In each session, participants will prepare a three-course meal that relates to an upcoming event or holiday in the Jewish calendar. Throughout the class, they will learn more about Jewish culinary traditions that relate to that holiday, learn related Hebrew vocabulary, and, later, eat the meal.
Read more »
Community-Wide Security Training
Thursdays, June 20 & 27 | 7:30PM, 2:30PM | Middle Room
Join us for one of two community-wide training sessions on active shooter preparedness, fire and bomb threats, and emergency exit procedures.
Summer Bim Bam
Friday, June 21 | 10:15-11:00AM, 11:15AM-12:00PM | Community House
Bim Bam gives children under three a fun space to explore Shabbat through interactive songs and stories while learning traditions such as lighting candles, saying Kiddush, and giving tzedakah. Led by Shira Averbuch, the 10:15 AM session features both English and Hebrew songs, while the 11:15 AM session is full Hebrew immersion.
The series (6 classes) is $120/members and $180/non-members. After the first registered child, each additional child receives 50% off. New BJ members may attend for free by contacting Makai. (x248).
Sessions: June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12
Jewish-Muslim Solidarity Fridays
Friday, June 21 | 1:00-2:30PM | Islamic Cultural Center Riverside Drive
Every Friday, Jewish Upper West Siders greet worshipers before and after their Friday prayers to show our support and solidarity. This effort began as a response to the massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, but has grown to a regular practice of “loving our neighbor as ourselves.”
We invite you to bring a white sign that says “Jewish New Yorkers Support our Muslim Neighbors” or “We Stand With You.” We offer greetings of “A-salaam Aleikum” and “Jummah Mubarak.”
All are welcome, no registration required.
Bo-i Kallah
Friday, June 21 | 6:30PM | Reception Room
Join Rabbi Roly Matalon and BJ Music Director Dan Nadel for an alternative Kabbalat Shabbat service featuring melodies from the Sephardi and Mizrahi traditions, verses of Shir haShirim (Song of Songs), and beautiful piyutim (liturgical poems). Transitioning meaningfully into holy time by weaving together all of these elements, we invite you to bring a new dimension to your Kabbalat Shabbat.
Call For New Ushers
Fridays and Saturdays | 6:30-8:00PM & 9:30-12:00PM | Sanctuary
BJ members, are you excited about making BJ a warmer and more welcoming place? Join our amazing group of ushers! Greet new members and guests, help prepare the sanctuary for services, and spread the love.
If interested, please email Laura Markowitz, and she will be happy to get you started.
Sponsor a Community Kiddush
Saturdays | Following Shabbat Morning Services | Community House 3rd Floor
A kiddush, the communal gathering that follows Shabbat morning service, is a traditional opportunity to mark joyous events and lifecycle occasions within the community. Sponsoring a Community Kiddush is a wonderful way to show your support, and is considered a tax-deductible donation if coordinated through the BJ office. If you’re interested in contributing to a kiddush in honor of a milestone or in memory of a loved one, please email Julie or call her at x258.
Towards a Queer Judaism: Halakhic Approaches to Homosexuality
Saturday, June 22 | 1:30PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
As we celebrate Pride Month, Rabbinic Fellow Abi Weber will lead a discussion on the sometimes painful, but also joyful, history of the developing Jewish approach to diverse sexual orientations. We will focus specifically on the Conservative Movement, though some attention will be paid to other denominational attitudes.
Hebrew Ulpan Classes אולפן עברית
Monday, June 24 | 5:00-7:00PM and 7:00-9:00PM | Community House
Registration for this series is closed. Classes are held every Monday.
Join members of the BJ, Habonim and Shaare Zedek communities in a small group environment to build and improve your Hebrew conversational skills. The Hebrew Ulpan course teaches the fundamental structure of Hebrew and its basic forms, as well as the necessary vocabulary for everyday conversations, reading, and writing. This class is open to both members and non-members of the three synagogues so invite your friends to join!
Occupy the Roof: Summer Social Justice Film Series
Various dates, beginning Monday, June 24 | 6:00-9:00PM | Community House
Sponsored by Panim: Social Action and Social Justice at BJ, this film series will celebrate stories of people that shine a light on justice in a changing world.
Up first: Reversing Roe depicts the state of abortion and women’s rights in America.
Monday Meditation Minyan
Monday, June 24 | 6:30-7:00PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Whether you have a deep meditation practice or are interested in exploring mindfulness for the first time, we invite you to join us for Monday Meditation Minyan, led by Yael Shy. Each session will begin with wisdom from the Jewish tradition, followed by focused meditation (with some guidance), a short discussion, and an opportunity for community members to recite Mourner’s Kaddish. No experience necessary; all are welcome.
Monday Meditation Minyan meets weekly, with the exception of national and Jewish holidays. To get a glimpse of what you can experience in-person, check out the live stream of this season’s first session.
Israeli Film Club
Tuesday, June 25 | 7:00-8:30PM | Middle Room
Join us for a five-session series, featuring five short Israeli films that were carefully chosen from dozens of prize-winning works. The films present various perspectives on key issues in Israeli society. These movies will serve as a platform for post-screening discussions, allowing participants to reflect on diverse and relevant aspects of the Israeli people, culture and politics.
This series is free of charge, but registration is required. Sign up for your preferred screening(s) via the form below.
Summer Concert Series: Shira Averbuch, BJ Artist in Residence
Thursday, June 27; Wednesday, July 24; and Thursday, August 29 | 7:00PM | Reception Room
Spend your summer with the BJ musicians in our first-ever summer concert series. Join us for one, two, or all three of these intimate gatherings, exploring the beautiful and diverse music of our very own musicians.
Pride Shabbat Dinner with Rabbi Roly Matalon
Friday, June 28 | 8:00-10:00PM | Community House
Celebrate Pride Month and elevate your Shabbat with friends and food! LGBTQ community members, friends, and allies are invited to join us for a potluck Shabbat dinner with wine. Rabbi Roly Matalon will lead a conversation about BJ’s history of LGBTQ inclusion among conservative synagogues and in the larger Jewish community, as well as our work advocating for marriage equality.
To sign up, and indicate what you are planning to bring, click below.
Pride Shabbat Speaker: Rev. Lea Matthews
Saturday, June 29 | During Shabbat Morning Services | Sanctuary
Join us for Pride Shabbat as we invite Rev. Lea Matthews of the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, our neighbor and partner, as our guest speaker.
Notary Services for BJ Members
Business hours | BJ Community House
Our Human Resources and Administrative Associate, Shakeara Hatchett, is now authorized to provide notary services (for personal or business purposes) to all BJ members. Email Shakeara to set up a notary appointment.
Volunteers Needed for Hesed: Shabbat Connections
Our community is strongest when we care for each other in times of need. Do a deed of lovingkindness by connecting with members of the BJ community who are homebound, lonely, or in need of some extra care. With regular and consistent phone calls we can brighten the days and warm the hearts of those who need it most. Please contact Joni Brenner at ShabbatConnections@bj.org for more information on how you can help.
Meals for New Parents
Service and Hospitality: Volunteer with the Judith Bernstein Lunch Program
Thursdays | 11:30AM-1:00PM | Frankel Hall
Every Thursday at BJ we welcome guests into our synagogue for a delicious lunch, friendly companionship, and music performed by a BJ member every other week. Join our lunch program by volunteering and taking part in the warm and welcoming atmosphere we offer to our guests. To learn more about this opportunity or to volunteer contact Larissa Wohl or call x272.