WEEKLY NEWS

Yigdal Service (Ages 5-7, Family or Drop-Off): Saturday, 11am in 2 South

Big Kids Service (Ages 8-12, Kids Only): Saturday, 11am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

TeleTefila Havdallah: Saturday, 5:34pm on Zoom

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Join us in wishing comfort to Andrea Gural, Ram Avrahami, and their children, Gilad, Benjamin, Michael and Gabriel, at the passing of Andrea's father, Thomas Gural. 

Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Wendy and Avery Katz and Terry Zisowitz and Jack Ott in memory of Sally Kornwise Katz, Avery’s mother and Wendy’s mother-in law, and Gertrude Zisowitz Gordon, Terry’s mother, Wendy’s grandmother and Jack’s mother-in law.

ACHS Kitah Vav Leading Torah Service

Come support our Hebrew School's sixth grade class as they lead our Torah Service in the Sanctuary this Shabbat!

Arlene Agus Memorial

Thursday, January 30 from 11:45am - 1:30pm in 5 North or on Zoom

Please join us for a memorial event to honor Arlene Agus z"l on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, a few days after the completion of the shloshim period. Please RSVP here to indicate your participation and whether you would like to teach, speak or lead a song at the event.

Celebratory Kiddush

Shabbat, February 1

Ansche Chesed member Charlie Davidson received the Rothschild Award from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in recognition of his social action work. Among many other things, Charlie started (and for many years ran) the Ansche Chesed homeless shelter; he coordinated AC members to resettle five migrant families; and this year he’s spearheading our collaboration with PS 145. Please join us in recognizing Charlie at a celebratory kiddush after services on February 1st.  

We’re asking sponsors to make a donation of at least $50. Your generosity will go towards this kiddush and to replenish our kiddush fund.

Questions? Contact info@anschechesed.org.

Intergenerational Mitzvah Knitting Group

Sunday, January 12 from 10 - 11:30am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

Knitters needed! Experienced and new knitters of all ages welcome: bubbies, bring your grandkids; kids – bring your parents. We will be making a sampler blanket, where we each do a square or two and then put them together into a blanket. Yarn and pattern will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing Emily.

Save the date for future sessions: February 9, March 2, March 30, May 4.

Three Great Hebrew Poets: Haim Gouri, with Rachel Korazim

Sunday, January 19 at 10am on Zoom

Register here

Haim Gouri (1923-2018) enjoyed a long and celebrated career as a journalist, novelist and especially as a poet. Every Israeli knows Gouri's heroic lyrics like "Bab-el-Wad" and "Comradeship," in which this Palmach veteran gave voice to the 1948 generation's fight for independence and its losses.  

At this Zoom session with the great poetry teacher Rachel Korazim from Tel Aviv, we will explore those, as well as his ironic and critical voice, in which Gouri -- who described himself as a "civil war, half of me shooting at the rest of me" -- addressed the Jewish people, from the Bible to the Shoah to contemporary Israel. 

Lunch & Learn: Why is That in the Bible?

Thursday, January 23 from 12:30 - 1:30pm in 5 North 

Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky for a monthly lunch-and-learn program to study some of the stranger passages in the Hebrew Bible. You’ll meet giants and sea monsters, psychedelic visionaries and stone-cold killers. We’ll retell the Torah’s dirty jokes, sexy poems and gruesome horror stories. Some of this material will raise important religious or moral questions. Most will be fun and funny. Learn More

Heschel Harmonizers at AC

Saturday, January 25 

We are delighted to welcome the Heschel Harmonizers to Ansche Chesed for Shabbat. The Harmonizers will perform in Hirsch Hall during Kiddush, and will also add their voices to Sanctuary services and children’s tefilah. 

The Heschel Harmonizers are the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School a cappella group. Founded in 2006 by students, to this day the group is still heavily student run, under the guidance of director Adena Korn. The Harmonizers' repertoire includes Jewish liturgical, American and Israeli pop music with arrangements by both professionals and students in the group. Many current Harmonizers and Harmonizers alumni are members of Ansche Chesed and they are so excited to perform for the community this shabbat!

Ansche Chesed and Supporting Asylum Seekers

Wednesday, January 29 from 7 - 9pm in 5 North 

In December, AC members Barbara Schatz and Charlie Davidson, along with Rabbi Yael Hammerman, had the eye-opening experience of visiting the San Diego / Tijuana border to bear witness to the experience of those seeking asylum in the US. They will share reflections and photos from their visit.

We will be joined by local leaders, including Rev. Lea Matthews of the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, and Candice Braun (founder of ROCC: "Resources, Opportunities, Connections, and Community" located at Metro Baptist Church) -- who have helped shape the local response to the huge numbers of asylum seekers in New York in recent years. We will also be joined by AC volunteers organizing our PS145 Library Project. 

They will share with us what they have been doing and ways that we as Ansche Chesed members can get involved to help these newcomers to New York. 

Registration encouraged, walk-ins welcome.

Project Aliyah: Volunteer with AC on MLK Day! Pack Kits for New Yorkers in Need

Monday, January 20, 12 - 1:30pm at the Met Council (171 Lexington Avenue)

Project Aliyah families, join AC and Met Council in packaging food and non-food essentials for New Yorkers in need in honor of our annual MLK Day of Service! With several hands-on tasks, volunteers will have the opportunity to support Met Council's missions in supporting low-income seniors, families, and college students in the Greater New York City area. 

IMPORTANT DETAILS: Ansche Chesed has reserved 25 spots for this time slot. If you are planning to attend, please email Aliza Sebert to let us know you will be coming by Monday, January 13, and fill out this waiver.

This program is open to families with kids in our Project Aliyah (Bnei Mitzvah) cohort. Children under 15 must be accompanied at all times.

Welcoming and Aware Initiative

Our pilot program has launched with great success! We urge all members to complete the two-part training to enhance their personal security IQ and gain a better understanding of the program at Ansche Chesed. After training, we encourage members to join our Welcoming and Aware team, which adds eyes and ears to the paid professionals already keeping us safe. For those who may not feel able or interested in welcoming members outside the building, there are other important ways to be part of the team.

Click here to register. In the "Name of Synagogue" field on the 1st page, typing "Ansche Chesed" should pop up "Ansche Chesed (New York, NY)". Select that as your answer.

For more information, please email Suzan Rosen.

Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavuah Class

Saturdays, 9am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

Source Sheet (updated Friday afternoons)

Dedicated to Rabbi Jules Harlow, a great teacher of Torah and Jewish liturgy. Come before class at 8:45am for hot coffee and schmoozing!

Shirei Chesed Community Chorus

Tuesdays from 7:30 - 9pm in 5 North

Shirei Chesed builds community through a rich repertoire of Jewish music, bringing harmony to a world that needs it more than ever. Learn more or schedule an audition with Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn.

Wednesday Night Talmud: Holy Books and Holy Time, with Rabbi Kalmanofsky

Wednesdays at 7pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or via Zoom



This year we will study tractate Shabbat, Chapter 16, which addresses how to write and care for sacred texts.

Parsha Talk

Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky and his buddies Rabbis Barry Chesler and Eliot Malomet for their weekly Parsha Talk. Watch the latest episode

Misheberakh List

We invite you to add the names of your dear ones. Please re-submit them each English calendar month if you'd like us to keep davvening for them.

Volunteer Opportunity: Share Joy and Warmth with Older Adults at DOROT's Package Delivery!

Sunday, January 26 at DOROT (171 W. 85th St.) and Moise Safra Center (130 E. 82nd St.)

The winter season can leave older adults feeling isolated and alone. Volunteer to deliver a Winter care package and share a visit or friendly phone call with an older adult. For more information and to register, click here or call 917-441-3726. 

Kidney Donor Sought -- From Martin Green

A relative of my in-laws is in need of a kidney transplant. He is a 71-year-old father of two, an active musician and very engaged in his community on Long Island. If you want further information or are wiling to be tested as a potential donor, please contact Renewal.org: email R26235@renewal.org or call 718-431-9831 ext. 209.

Experienced Caretaker/Companion -- From Corinne Boren

I am recommending my friend Anila who is seeking employment as a caretaker or companion. Anila is very experienced and caring. She took care of my mother for over four years and truly enhanced her quality of life. Should you wish further information please feel free to contact me at my email address co18bo@aol.com or by phone at 212 864 8163.