Midnight Run Drive
Various Dates | During Community House Open Hours | Community House 2nd Floor
Midnight Run coordinates over 1,000 relief missions per year, in which volunteers from churches, synagogues, schools and other civic groups distribute food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless on the streets of New York City.
Open Sukkah Hours 5780
Various Dates | Various Times | Rooftop
All are welcome to the BJ Sukkah! Enjoy a meal with family and friends during our open sukkah hours.
Evening Minyan
Mondays-Thursdays | 6:30PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Coming to an evening program at BJ? Picking up your kids from Kadima? Come a little earlier, or stay a little later, fulfill the mitzvah of enabling others to recite kaddish, and help sustain our community and the Jewish people. Supplementing BJ’s morning minyan, our evening minyan creates yet another opportunity to come together in prayer and to support the mourners among us. This minyan is open to all, and, depending on the season, provides an opportunity to daven minha, maariv, or both.
Bim Bam Fall 2019
Friday, October 18 | 10:15-11:00AM, 11:15AM-12:00PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Bim Bam gives children under three a fun space to explore Shabbat through interactive songs, movement, and stories while learning traditions such as lighting candles, saying Kiddush, and giving tzedakah. The 10:15AM session features both English and Hebrew songs, while the 11:15AM session is full Hebrew immersion. The program is led by our Artist in Residence, Shira Averbuch.
Jewish-Muslim Solidarity Fridays
Friday, October 18 | 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.”
Hakhanah laTefillah
Saturday, October 19 | 8:45-9:25AM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Join Rabbi Roly Matalon biweekly to prepare the soul and open the heart for Shabbat morning prayers through the singing of piyutim and reflections on kavannah. This series is open to all, no registration necessary.
Kohelet and Kawali
Saturday, October 19 | Following Kiddush | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
The book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), traditionally read on Sukkot, has provoked and inspired readers for centuries. Join BJ Rabbinic Fellow Margo Hughes-Robinson, Music Director Dan Nadel, and musical guests for a deeper dig into the book of Kohelet. We’ll hear the reading of the Megillat Kohelet in a new and participatory way, inspired by devotional music of the Sufi tradition.
Shalom Shabbat
Saturday, October 19 | 5:45PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Join Rabbi Adina Lewittes and Music Director Dan Nadel for the final hour of Shabbat and bid farewell to our sacred day with soothing song, inspiring story, illuminating teaching, and warm fellowship. Then, together, we’ll conclude with a moving havdalah ceremony.
20s & 30s Harvest Havdalah in the Sukkah
Saturday, October 19 | 6:00-8:30PM | Rooftop
Join Aviv (our 20s & 30s group) for a festive Havdalah in the Sukkah. We will enjoy delicious vegan food and learn more about farmers and plant-based diets as we celebrate Sukkot, the harvest holiday.
Simhat Torah Family Service
Monday, October 21 | 5:30-6:30PM | Sanctuary
Join us for a lively evening as we celebrate Simhat Torah together. Families are invited to help us mark the end of another Torah cycle and the beginning of a new one with dancing, hakafot (rotations around the room), singing, and good company! Email Makai with any questions.
Teen Pre-Simhat Torah Party
Monday, October 21 | 6:00-7:00PM | Sanders-Gardner Teen Lounge
Come grab a snack and hang with your friends in the Sanders-Gardner Teen Lounge before the Simhat Torah adult service. There will be music and games! This event is open to teens only, no registration necessary.
Aviv 20s & 30s Pre-Simhat Torah Celebration
Monday, October 21 | 6:00-8:00PM | Middle Room
Kick off 5780 with our 80s themed Simhat Torah Celebration. Enjoy some desserts and drinks, and mix and mingle
with your fellow 20s and 30s. Dust off your jelly sandals, grab your leg warms, and put on your favorite neon clothes! At 8:00PM, we’ll move
into the Sanctuary to join the community-wide Simhat Torah celebration. The event is free but registration is required. Please
sign up by Thursday, October 17 at 12:00 noon.
Simhat Torah Family Lunch
Tuesday, October 22 | 12:00-1:00PM | Middle Room
Need a break from dancing with the Torah? Join us for food and drinks!
Introduction to Judaism
Wednesday, October 23 | 7:00-9:00PM | Community House 4th Floor
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.
Jewrisprudence: Frontiers of Modern Jewish Law
Wednesdays, Beginning October 23 | 7:00-8:30PM | Middle Room
How is our timeless halakhic (Jewish legal) system responding to questions of Jewish law emerging from our fast-paced, open-sourced, multi-vocal, technology-saturated, and rapidly-changing world? Join Rabbi Adina Lewittes as we analyze contemporary teshuvot (rabbinic responses), study the systems of change that have maintained the relevance of Jewish observance for millennia, explore the dynamism within the boundaries of Jewish law, and learn to articulate, in the language of tradition, the commitments to observance and practice that frame your Jewish life.
#ShowUpForShabbat and Day of Action Against Antisemitism
BJ joins with the American Jewish Committee’s #ShowUpForShabbat initiative to mark the one-year anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh. Honor the victims and raise our collective voice for a world free of antisemitism, hate, and bigotry.
Bubbles and Bereshit
Friday, October 25 | Following the Kabbalat Shabbat Service | Reception Room
Join us for a festive oneg with bubbly drinks and appetizers. Bereshit, the first portion of the Torah, tells the story of creation. Celebrate new beginnings and create new friendships with your fellow 20s and 30s.
*Please note: this will not be a sit-down dinner.
There's No Place Like Camp—Play Rehearsals
Various Saturdays, Beginning October 26 | 12:15-1:45PM | Reception Room
Join the BJ Theater Company as we sing, dance, and celebrate what makes Shabbat so special! In this musical revue, BJ’s youngest actors will shine on stage as they explore Shabbat’s meanings and rituals while celebrating the power of Jewish camp. Each child will have a speaking line and singing part, so There’s No Place Like Camp is a wonderful opportunity for actors at any level. Performances will be in early December.
"Soul Food" Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Felicia Sol
Tuesdays, Beginning October 29 | 12:30-1:45PM | Middle Room
Bring a bag lunch and open up your soul to the nourishment and challenge of the Hassidic rabbis. Join Rabbi Felicia Sol as we re-imagine old world wisdom for everyday life. Each class will stand alone, so new participants are always welcome. No prior knowledge is expected; this series is free of charge.
Shirah with Shira
Tuesday, October 29 | 4:00-4:45PM | Middle Room
Join us for a Hebrew immersion class geared towards children ages 2-5. Shira Averbuch will lead children and their parents/caregivers in music, stories, and movement. Children will gain a sense of community rooted in Jewish tradition while gaining exposure to Israeli culture.