Kadima@BJ, our new elective-based Hebrew School model, has been successful and exciting for students this year. We have incorporated all that we learned last year and are excited to share that our new and improved Kadima@BJ model for next year will:

• Reincorporate Hebrew into our elective model; Read more »

Got a great smile? Like making people feel good? Sign up to volunteer as an usher or greeter, and be the warm and welcoming face of BJ for over 3,500 people who come to High Holy Days services. Ushers help by handing out mahzorim, directing members to open seats, and making sure services run smoothly.

Want to be part of the effort that sustains this community? Volunteer to collect Kol Nidre pledge cards on Erev Yom Kippur. Help make the High Holy Days happen! To sign up, click here.

Bim Bam and Bim Bam Hebrew Immersion
Fridays, September 8-December 15 | 9:15-10:00AM, 10:15-11:00AM, 11:15AM-12:00PM | 89th Street Chapel
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. Sessions at 9:15AM or 10:15AM feature both English and Hebrew songs, while the 11:15 AM class is full Hebrew immersion. The series is $220/members and $330/non-members per child. After the first registered child, each additional child receives 50% off. New members attend for free. Program is led by BJ music educator, Eliana Light. Hebrew Immersion is led by Shira Averbuch. Questions? Email Allison Kapusta.

No class on September 22 (Rosh Hashanah), September 29 (Yom Kippur), October 6 (Sukkot), November 24 (Thanksgiving)

Mondays, September 11, September 18 and September 25 | 7:00PM | 89th Street Chapel
We yearn for the divine just as the divine yearns to find us – simultaneous quests guided by the soulful, plaintive music of piyut. For the past 1,000 years, Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews have gathered for the forty days from the beginning of the month of Elul through Rosh Hashanah, and up to Yom Kippur, rising at dawn to sing and to prepare the soul for repentance and renewal. Led by Rabbi Roly Matalon and Music Director Dan Nadel, our three-part series will engage us in that spiritual journey and get us ready for the upcoming sublime days of soul-searching and prayer through haunting melodies of ancient Jewish communities as well as modern Israeli poetry and song. The series is free of charge and open to the public.

December 25, 2017-January 3, 2018

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

We are very excited for next year’s 10th-12th grade International Teen Trip to Israel! As an offshoot of our “Israel Celebrates 70” Community Trip, this separate teen track will combine the must-see sights with service opportunities and a unique chance to learn firsthand about the multicultural and complex nature of Eretz Yisrael. Read the trip itinerary here. Questions? Email Michelle.  Register now.

Tuesdays, October 3-December 12 | 4:00-5:00PM | 89th Street Community House

IAC KesheTOT is an innovative program for families with infants and toddlers from birth until 3.5 years old. Children gain a sense of community, flavored by Israeli culture and Jewish heritage. Programming includes music, stories, and movement. Families also celebrate Jewish holidays together in a uniquely Israeli way. IAC KesheTOT is conducted exclusively in Hebrew and run by Israeli teachers.
This unique program is a great fit for both Hebrew speakers and non-Hebrew speakers alike. Questions? Contact Itay Asaf for more details.

Tuesday, September 26 | 6:00-7:00PM | BJ Chapel
As we move towards Yom Kippur, join Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein for an hour-long session on mindfulness as it relates to teshuvah (repentance). Discover how mindful practices can develop and strengthen the soul in preparation for the Holiest Day of the Year.

Register Now

September 29-30 | All Yom Kippur Service Locations
As a community, BJ addresses hunger on the local and global levels by supporting the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and Mazon. We encourage your participation by either bringing a check for WSCAH to Kol Nidre services and/or writing a check to Mazon before breaking the fast and mailing it in one of the envelopes available at each Yom Kippur service location.

Read more »

Saturday September 30 | Following Ne’ila Services | Location Provided Upon R.S.V.P.
Join us at a delicious Community Break Fast, generously sponsored by Helena Diamant Glass in cherished memory of her beloved parents, Regina Landwirth Diamant & Karl Diamant. Free for BJ members, $10 for non-members. Register here.

Saturday, September 30 | Following Ne’ila Services | Location Provided Upon Registration

Join us at a delicious Tze’irim 20s and 30s Break-Fast, generously sponsored by Helena Diamant Glass in cherished memory of her beloved parents, Regina Landwirth Diamant and Karl Diamant. The event is free for members, but registration is required.

Register Now

Sunday, October 1 | 1:00-3:00PM | 89th Street Community House Roof
Start the new year right by jumping into the mitzvah of Sukkah building the day after Yom Kippur! Come any time starting at 1:00PM to help hang walls, string lights, and bring the BJ Sukkah to life. If need be, we will finish the building on Monday. Please let us know you’re coming.

Monday, October 2 | 4:30-5:30PM | BJ Community House

Join Talia Hatzor as we discuss ways to speak with our children about tragedy and loss. 

Talia Hatzor is a psychologist and psychoanalyst and a training psychoanalyst in New York City. She has a special interest in infancy and early childhood, parent-child relation and play therapy. She co-directs the Parent Infant Psychotherapy (PIP) Training Program at Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in New York, where she also teaches Infant Observation. Talia Hatzor co-founded and was the mental health director of The Family Peace Project/Safe Start Initiative (a program for children exposed to domestic violence) at Columbia Medical Center New York Presbyterian Hospital. She previously worked with the Infant Family Service for abused infants and their parents at the same hospital. She was trained in CPP (Child Parent Psychotherapy), an evidence based model for children who suffer trauma and loss. She has a special interest is the impact of trauma and adversity on families with young children. She works in private practice with children and adults.

Tuesdays, October 3-May 15 | 4:00-5:30PM | BJ Community House 

IAC Keshet is open to both Hebrew and English speakers for families with children ages 4-6. The program is a comprehensive approach to building an engaged community through a connection to Israel, Hebrew language, Israeli culture, and Jewish values.

IAC Keshet is a national Israeli enrichment program that builds a warm, welcoming community of Israelis and Americans that share pride in their Jewish heritage and love for Israel. At IAC Keshet, your children will gain Hebrew language skills and build friendships through cultural activities and educational programming including music, dance, play, and arts.

Parents will be invited to join for special programs such as holiday celebrations throughout the year. Exact dates for these programs will be available shortly. Questions? Contact Itay Asaf for more details.

BJ Member – $1300
Non-Member – $1500

Friday, October 6 | Following Kabbalat Shabbat Services | BJ Community House Sukkah
It’s the first Community Shabbatluck of the year! What better way to come together than in the Sukkah for a holiday about hospitality and the harvest. Bring something delicious to share, grab a bottle of your favorite kosher vino, and get ready to bring in Shabbat the BJ way: with a little singing, some words of Torah, and a whole lotta community. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian dish for 8-10 people, and consider including a bottle of kosher wine with your contribution. You can come early to drop your dish off in the Sukkah before heading to services. If you are able to volunteer to help set out food before dinner, let us know.

Sign Up Here!

Saturday, October 7 | 6:00PM | 89th Street Community Sukkah
Join us for this new, monthly Shabbat gathering, part of BJ’s initiative on communal singing as a spiritual practice. We’ll spend the final moments of Shabbat together, singing beautiful nigunim and zemirot as havdalah approaches. The evening will be filled with melodies that may be familiar and evocative alongside those that are challenging and new; filled with a spirit that ranges from celebratory and jubilant to meditative and peaceful. Together, we’ll lift up our voices and souls, amid the beauty of spontaneous harmony, and experience the final moments of Shabbat.

Every other Saturday (October 7, 21, November 4, 18, December 2, 16) | 8:45-9:25AM | BJ Chapel
Please join Rabbi Roly Matalon to prepare the soul and open the heart for Shabbat morning prayers through the singing of piyutim and reflections on kavannah.

Sunday, October 8 | 7:00-8:30PM | BJ Community House Sukkah

This Sukkot, we bring a taste of the Other Israel Film Festival into our community Sukkah, for a special screening and discussion in the spirit of the High Holy Days. Join the JCC Manhattan Israel Film Center team for a screening of some of the best short films from the festival, followed by a thought-provoking facilitated conversation. Gather as a community, enjoy some fantastic films, and discuss topics important to Israeli society today.

Light refreshments will be served. This event is free but registration is required.

Register Now

Read more »

Monday, October 9 | 7:00PM | 89th Street Sukkah

Tuesdays, October 17, November 7, December 5, February 13, March 6 | 7:00-9:00PM | BJ Middle Room
Life is a journey: we move in cycles, but the yearning of the soul is always to go back home. But where is home? Where is that place that resides in the deepest crevices of our Neshamot (souls)? Join Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein for an exploration of Tefillat haDerekh (the Traveler’s Prayer), which is recited before every journey we undertake. Through this prayer, we are going to dwell in, and pay attention to, the stations our souls have stopped in along our way.

Register Now

Thursdays, December 1, 8, and 15, January 5, 12, 19, and 26, February 2, 9, 16, and 23, March 2, 9, and 16 | 12:30-1:30PM | Location Provided Upon Registration
Through the close reading of short stories about the lives, struggles, and concerns of the Talmudic rabbis, we uncover deeper layers of our own selves and we become better equipped to wrestle with our human nature. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. Please bring your own lunch to the midtown location. Specific location information will be provided upon registration. Free of charge. BJ members only. To register, please click here or email Beth.

Business hours | 89th Street

We are pleased to announce that 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.

Tuesdays, October 24-December 12 | 12:00-2:00PM | BJ Middle Room
Bring a bag lunch and open up your soul to the nourishment and challenge of the Hassidic rabbis with the study of Itturei Torah: Torah Gems on the Weekly Torah Portion. Join Rabbi Felicia Sol as we imagine old world wisdom for everyday life. Each class will stand alone so new participants are always welcome. No prior knowledge is expected. Free of charge, but please register below.

Register Now

Saturdays, October 8, 2016 – May 13, 2017 | 10:20AM – 12:00PM |  86th Street Social Hall

Join Rabbinic Fellow Arielle Rosenberg, the BJ rabbis, and a team of teen musicians in a family-friendly celebration of Shabbat. Previously known as Junior Congregation, Kulanu is a participatory prayer space in which 3rd-6th graders and their families will use song, games, prayer, and art to make Shabbat morning come alive. Upon meeting in the main sanctuary, we will take the Torah out of the ark and dance our way to the Kulanu space downstairs. For more information, contact Arielle Rosenberg.

 *On the second Saturday of every month, Kulanu is kids only.

Tuesdays, beginning October 24 | 9:30AM | BJ Middle Room
When we consider the Book of Genesis, many of us remember the tales we heard in our childhood.  As adults, we can together probe the book and find spiritual determinants that can add meaning to our lives today. Join Rabbi Hillel Friedman, longtime BJ member, for a perusal of the Book, for the opportunity to see how our ancestors carved out a spiritual world view while dealing with the culture surrounding them and their own family lives.

Register Now

Got a great smile? Like making people feel good? Sign up to volunteer as an usher or greeter, and be the warm and welcoming face of BJ for over 3,500 people who come to High Holy Days services. Ushers help by handing out mahzorim, directing members to open seats, and making sure services run smoothly.

Want to be part of the effort that sustains this community? Volunteer to collect Kol Nidre pledge cards on Erev Yom Kippur. Help make the High Holy Days happen! To sign up, click here.

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.

Thursdays | 11:30AM-1:00PM | 88th Street 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.