Bim Bam Fall 2019
Friday, December 6 | 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, December 6 | 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.”
Tot Shabbat
Friday, December 6 | 5:15PM | Sanctuary & Frankel Hall
Join us for a Hanukkah-themed Tot Shabbat service—filled with singing, dancing, and a special Hanukkah story—led by Rabbi Erin Glazer, Shira Averbuch, and Michael Witman. After the service, we will enjoy a delicious dinner with yummy Hanukkah treats! While adults are finishing their meal, children will have the opportunity to engage in play.
Bo-i Kallah
First Fridays Monthly, Continuing December 6 | 6:15PM | Reception Room
On the first Friday of every month, 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.
Hitoreri
Friday, December 6 | 6:15-9:00PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel & Middle Room
Hitoreri, our monthly, teen-only Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner, is a BJ teen tradition. Teens participate in a mindfulness-style Kabbalat Shabbat service, led by one of the BJ rabbis, where we leave behind the hectic energy of the school week and transition into the peacefulness of Shabbat. This is followed by a delicious Shabbat dinner and plenty of downtime for teens to catch up and hang out. Hitoreri is open to teens in grades 8-12.
At December’s Hitoreri, we will join the greater BJ community for Kabbalat Shabbat. Read more »
There's No Place Like Camp—Play Rehearsals
Saturday, December 7 | 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.
4th & 5th Grade Shul-In Sleepover
Saturday, December 7-Sunday, December 8 | 5:30PM-8:30AM | Middle Room & Community House 4th Floor
4th and 5th graders are invited to a special Shul-In sleepover at BJ! Join your friends and staff for Havdalah, dinner, a movie, and a night of games and silliness.
A Neo-Hasidic Symposium and Festival
Sunday, December 8 | 12:00 noon-6:30PM | Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
The first great collection of Neo-Hasidic teachings, A New Hasidism: Roots and Branches, is newly published. To celebrate, its editor, Rabbi Arthur Green, will be joined by friends and contributors to these volumes for a day of Neo-Hasidic teaching, conversation, meditation, and song. Join us to discover (and help to create!) a passionate Jewish spirituality for the 21st century.
What Matters Salon Series
Various Dates, Beginning Sunday, December 8 | Various Times | Locations Given Upon Registration
The hardest conversations are also the most important ones. This winter, we will meet in small, home-hosted gatherings for group conversations about What Matters advance care planning. BJ members who are trained facilitators will guide you through the process of choosing an agent who can speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself, completing or updating an advance directive, and having this conversation with loved ones.
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.
Hilkhot Tefilah: The Laws of Prayer
Tuesdays, Continuing December 10 | 8:15-8:30AM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
Join BJ’s Morning Minyan each Tuesday when, after services, we’ll gather for a 15 minute “Iyun Tefilah”—an investigation into the laws of prayer.
God: What Does it Mean for Us?
Tuesday, December 10 | 9:30-11:00AM | Location given upon registration
Join Rabbi Hillel Friedman for an examination of sources in biblical literature dealing with questions regarding the existence of God. For more information, email Kristen.
"Soul Food" Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Felicia Sol
Tuesdays, December 10 and 17 | 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: Fall 2019
Tuesday, December 10 | 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.
Introduction to Judaism
Wednesday, December 10 | 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.
Give the Gift of Life at the BJ Blood Drive
Wednesday, December 11 | 3:00-9:00PM | Sanctuary
Twice a year, we have the opportunity to provide this essential service to the community. Save a life and donate at the BJ Blood Drive. Click here to learn more about how you can prepare to donate, including any restrictions that may apply. Donation typically takes 45 minutes to one hour. Don’t forget to bring your donor ID card or number (if you have one).
Spiritual Self-care Wednesdays
Wednesday, December 11 | 6:00-7:30PM | Sanders-Gardner Teen Lounge
Dive into mental health, Mussar, and mindfulness to explore how you handle your everyday stress and worries. Join BJ spiritual leaders, including Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein, Cantor David Mintz, and Rabbi Shuli Passow, for a time to decompress with your community. This series is only open to 10th-12th graders.
Jewrisprudence: Frontiers of Modern Jewish Law
Wednesday, December 11 | 7:00-8:30PM | Community House 3rd Floor
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.
Mindful of Bitahon (Trust) with Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
Wednesday, December 11 | 7:00-9:00PM | Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel
The second installment of our monthly mindfulness intensives exploring the cultivation of middot (spiritual/ethical qualities). Join Rabbi Lisa Goldstein for an exploration of bitahon, digging into a sense of trust and confidence, enabling us to become at ease with the ripples of our world.
"In the Mirror" Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Roly Matalon
Thursdays, Continuing December 12 | 12:30-1:30PM | Location given upon registration
BJ members, join us as we continue our close reading of short stories about the lives, struggles, and concerns of the Talmudic rabbis, in order to uncover deeper layers of our own selves and to become better equipped to wrestle with our human nature. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. You are welcome to bring your own lunch to class.
Please note: registration has reached capacity. To get on the waiting list, please email Beth Tarson.