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WEEKLY NEWS

Shabbat Zachor

February 28, 2026 / 11 Adar 5786

THIS SHABBAT

Kabbalat Shabbat Service: Friday, 5:30pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

Morning Services: Saturday, 9:45am in the Sanctuary or via Livestream

Learner's Minyan: Saturday, 10 - 10:45am in the Multipurpose Room (RSVP)

Minyan M'at Morning Service: Saturday, 10am in 5 North

TeleTefila Service: Saturday, 10am on Zoom

Mishpacha Service (Babies, tots, and preschoolers, with parents): Saturday, 11am in 2 North

Yigdal Service (Kindergarten through Grade 2, family or drop-off): Saturday, 11am in 2 South

Bnai Chesed Service (Grade 3 through Bnai Mitzvah, kids only): Saturday, 11am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

PURIM

Megillah Reading & Purim Spiel: Monday, 6:15pm in the Sanctuary or via Livestream (Megillat Esther Text)

Minyan M'at Megillah Reading & Purim Spiel: Monday, 7pm in Hirsch Hall

West Side Minyan, Minyan Rimonim, and TeleTefila Hybrid Megillah Reading: Monday, 6:15pm in 5 North or on Zoom

Morning Minyan Megillah Reading: Tuesday, 7am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

THIS WEEK

Saturday, 9am: Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavua Class in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom - Source Sheet (updated Friday)

Sunday, 9:45am: A Zionism for the Future in 5 North (RSVP)

Sunday, 10:30am - 1:30pm: Family Purim Carnival in Hirsch Hall (Register)

Wednesday, 7pm: Talmud Class with Rabbi Kalmanofsky in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

Thursday, 6:30 - 8pm: Immigration Court Accompaniment Virtual Training, with Sacred Court Support (RSVP)

Morning Minyan: Tuesday at 7am, Monday, Wednesday - Friday at 7:30am, Sunday at 8:30am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

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CONDOLENCES

Join us in comforting Solomon and Deborah Mowshowitz at the passing of Solomon's sister, Sylvia Orenstein.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Introducing… Caley Coughlan from DOROT!


Caley Coughlan, MSW, is a new Synagogue Partnership Social Worker at DOROT, working closely with Ansche Chesed. She supports older adults and their families by connecting them to caregiver support, programs that foster social engagement, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and resources for aging well. She can be reached at ccoughlan@dorotusa.org or 917-441-3704.

6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Start Time Begins on March 13


Please note that starting on Friday, March 13, Kabbalat Shabbat services will switch from the current 5:30pm start time to instead start at 6:30pm (the first Shabbat after we switch our clocks to Daylight Saving Time on March 8).

THIS WEEK

Learner's Minyan

Saturdays, 10 - 10:45am in the Multipurpose Room (basement) through March 7


The more comfortable you feel in synagogue, the more comforted you can feel in synagogue. Our rabbis and JTS interns will rotate as leaders. You will become more familiar with the literary, spiritual, and musical highlights of the Saturday morning service. RSVP here, walk-ins welcome!

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A Zionism for the Future: Discussion with Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller

Sunday, March 1 at 9:45am in 5 North

 

Must Jewish nationalism display the zealotry and racism we see from extremists? Does Israel have resources to become a different kind of nationalism? Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller mines earlier generations of thinkers who believed that Judaism provided the framework to resist chauvinism and to build a moderate, inclusive, peace-seeking religious Zionism. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here

Immigration Court Accompaniment Virtual Training, with Sacred Court Support

Thursday, March 5 from 6:30 - 8pm

 

Are you looking for a way to support our immigrant neighbors during this scary time in our country? Sacred Court Support, an interfaith immigration court accompaniment program, is recruiting volunteers to accompany people to their scheduled court hearings and mandatory ICE check in in New York.


They are offering a virtual training. Sign up here.


Their greatest need right now is for volunteers who: 


  • Speak languages other than English (especially Spanish, Arabic, or French) 
  • Have weekday daytime availability 

PURIM

Purim Carnival

Sunday, March 1 from 10:30am - 1:30pm in Hirsch Hall


Join us for a festive Purim celebration - fun for all ages! The Carnival is also the annual fundraiser for the Ansche Chesed Hebrew School. Register online for reduced prices or learn more about how you can donate or volunteer to help!

Megillah Reading


Monday, March 2


Sanctuary: 6:15pm in-person or via livestream


Join us for a lively megillah reading, children's costume parade, and a Disney Purim Spiel! All ages welcome. 


Click here for a digital copy of Megillat Esther that you can use during the service.


Minyan M'at: 7pm in Hirsch Hall


West Side Minyan/Minyan Rimonim/TeleTefila: 6:15pm in 5 North or via Zoom



Tuesday, March 3


Morning Minyan: 7am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or via Zoom

Mishloach Manot


AC members can pick up their bag during Megillah Reading on Monday night, March 2 in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Tuesday, March 3 in the AC Lobby.

Matanot Le'evyonim

Sunday, March 1 from 10:30am - 1:30pm in Hirsch Hall


AC is working with the New Neighbors Partnership, a local NYC-based nonprofit welcoming refugee families with young children, to send out care packages. This winter, many refugee families will be celebrating Ramadan in a new country without the family and friends they left behind. With your help, we will be sending Ramadan care packages to families in need.


We are collecting specific items in the lobby up until the Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 1 at 10:30am, where we will pack and personalize the packages. 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Young Professionals Interfaith Iftar Dinner & Havdalah

Saturday, March 7 from 5:30 - 8:30pm at AC

 

AC Young Professionals are invited to join the Peace Island Institute for an interfaith potluck dinner for Iftar and Havdalah. Gather at 5:30pm to break the fast after sunset at 5:54pm, with dates and water, a few words connecting to the Parashah and Ramadan, prayers and Havdalah, and dinner. RSVP here

Intergenerational Mitzvah Knitting Group

Sunday, March 8 from 10 - 11:30am

 

Knitters needed for a mitzvah project! Experienced and new knitters of all ages welcome: bubbies, bring your grandkids; kids – bring your parents.

Reflections Through Painting and Collage: Workshop Series with Amy Tenenouser

Next on Sunday, March 15 from 10:30am - 12pm in 5 North

 

In this painting and collage workshop series, led by artist Amy Tenenouser, participants will be introduced to a range of artists and art historical periods while exploring painting and collage through memory, reflection, and Jewish spiritual ideas and culture. Drawing inspiration from still life set-ups and themes that spark imagination and personal life stories, participants will begin to build the foundation for their own unique form of creative expression. Learn more and register

Lunch & Learn: "There's a Midrash About That!" with Rabbi Yael Hammerman

Next on Thursday, March 19 from 12:30 - 1:30pm in 5 North


Working remotely? Retired? Stay-at-home parent? Taking a day off? Bring your lunch and join Rabbi Yael Hammerman for a monthly lunch-and-learn gathering where we will read midrashim from across the centuries. Midrashim help us fill in the blanks in the Torah, they add color to our black and white laws, and they help us develop our own voice and approach to Jewish text. Come - it will be fun! (No Hebrew background necessary). RSVP here, walk-ins welcome!

Blood Drive

Sunday, March 22 from 10am - 4pm in 5 North

 

Come donate blood with the New York Blood Center. It's a mitzvah, and it's easy: it takes only about an hour, and each donation can save up to three lives. Remember to eat, drink and bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo. Make your appointment

AC Book Group

Wednesday, April 15 from 6 - 7pm at AC

 

Join our in-person book group for literary conversation rooted in Jewish themes and storytelling. From bestselling memoirist Dani Shapiro comes a luminous, time-bending novel, Signal Fires, about two families linked by a tragic accident—and how their lives converge in unexpected, redemptive ways. A meditation on fate, connection, and the invisible threads that bind us. As you read, consider: Is the tree at the center of the story the Tree of Knowledge — or the Tree of Life? RSVP here

AC Community Shabbaton

Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26 at Isabella Freedman


We are so excited to invite the entire AC community -- of all ages, stages and minyanim! -- to celebrate Shabbat together at Isabella Freedman, the beautiful Jewish retreat center in Falls Village, CT. We will play and pray, eat and explore, sing and study, relax and reconnect from Friday evening through Sunday morning. Learn more and register

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Want to stay updated on Ansche Chesed's family programs and services? Subscribe to our "Family Programs" email list or see our Family Calendar.

SOCIAL ACTION

Pre-Shabbat Climate Action from Jewish Climate Action Network NYC


Subscribe for weekly emails with a quick action you can take to support climate legislation, and a short reflection for Shabbat. View this week's.

ONGOING PROGRAMMING

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! 

Wednesday Night Talmud with Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky

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


This year, our long-running study group will study tractate Moed Katan, focusing on traditions regarding death and mourning. (Don't be dissuaded by the heavy topic. It's very rich!)

Caregivers' Circle, with DOROT Social Worker

Biweekly Wednesdays from 12 - 1:15pm at AC or on Zoom


This group is facilitated by DOROT social worker Jane Blumenstein, LCSW, to provide a supportive community where caregivers can connect and find strength. Whether caring for a spouse, parent, or another loved one, we're here to support you. Learn More and Register

Parsha Talk

 

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

PRAYER

Weekday Morning Minyan

Mondays - Fridays at 7:30am

Sundays and Civil Holidays at 8:30am

in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom


Minyan will begin at 7am on Tuesday, March 3 to include Megillah reading for Purim.


Join our WhatsApp group, which we'll post to when we need people.

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.

COMMUNITY

The Opus 5 Quintet of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon Lezion

Tuesday, March 10 at 8pm at Congregation Ramath Orah (550 W. 110th St.)


Exclusive NYC performance, once night only! Learn more and register

InsightALT: Tevye's Daughters

Thursday, March 19 at 7pm at the Museum of Jewish Heritage (36 Battery Pl.)


Inspired by the darker, grittier stories by Sholem Aleichem not included in Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye’s Daughters centers on the tale of the beloved milkman’s younger daughter Shprintse, who falls in love with a young man above her station. Galvanized by the literature of little-known female Yiddish writers, as well as tkhines - Yiddish prayers designated expressly for women - Tevye’s Daughters gives voice to a generation of women whose stories have frequently been suppressed, omitted, even erased. Learn more and register

SHUK

Seeking Place to Stay for Pesach, from Judith Edelstein


A dear rabbinic colleague and wife need a place to stay on the UWS for the week of Pesach. They will be spending most of their time with me. Please contact me if you know of a room or apartment that is available. Judith Edelstein - rabbijudith@gmail.com.

Ramah Darom Seder and Pesach Reservation Discounted from Lois Forman-Jacobi


Lori Forman-Jacobi & Simcha Jacobi (former M'at members) are offering the Pesach reservation below:

We were planning to go to Ramah Darom for their beloved Pesach program but our plans have changed. We have a standard room for 2 in the Marcus Lodge for the first half of the Pesach retreat from March 31st - April 5th. I got permission from the Ramah office to transfer our reservation to someone else and we would deal with the payment between us. The total is $6000 + $150 gratuity for staff. We are happy to transfer this reservation for $4000.00 + $150 for staff.


If you are interested in taking our reservation please let me know as soon as possible. You can learn more about the retreat here 

https://www.ramahdarom.org/year-round-programs/passover-retreat-2026/

If you are interested please call or text me at 201-403-3684 or email me at lorifj@gmail.com.

Members may email us Shuk postings, sending a brief blurb including a member's contact info. Must be received by Tuesday at 3pm. Posts run for two weeks.

FEBRUARY DONATIONS

GENERAL DONATIONS

Michelle Bornstein

Ronnie Cohen

Helene Price & Charles Gropper

Roberta & Paul Shapiro, in memory of Hannah Leider's father, Philip Leider

Kara & Kobi Tav, in memory of Philip Leider

West Side Minyan, in memory of Michael Meric's mother, Sara Meric


RABBI'S FUND DONATIONS

Alina Zucker Aronoff & Avram Aronoff, in support of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger

Ira Balsam, in memory of Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky’s father, Michael Kaplan z"l

Roseanne Benjamin, in support of the WSCAH

Adena Abramson & Stephen Burdman, in support of the WSCAH

Esther Altmann & Richard Cantor, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Naomi & Mike Cohen, in support of the WSCAH

Erica & Noah Cohen, in support of the WSCAH

Elizabeth Denlinger, in support of the WSCAH

Nancy Sinkoff & Gary Dreiblatt, in Isaac Meyers' beloved memory

Freda & Evan Eisenberg, in support of the WSCAH

Adina Yoffie & Matthew Feigin, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Hannah Leider & Jeff Felmus, in support of the WSCAH

Liz & Bruce Gitlin, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Fran Gordon, in support of the WSCAH

Michele Siegel & Oren Grad, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Sigrid Hess, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Jennifer Rosenberg & Gil Israeli, in support of the WSCAH

Lilly Kaufman, in support of the WSCAH

Sara Krulwich, in support of the WSCAH

Cecile Kuznitz, in support of the WSCAH

Bess & Leor Landa, in support of the WSCAH

Julian Lander, in support of the WSCAH

Luciana Pajecki Lederman & Alon Lederman, in support of the WSCAH

Maura Harway & Richard Mark, in support of the WSCAH

David Baral & Ron Meyers, in support of the WSCAH

Sandra Novick, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Lisa Maller & Rich Ocken, in support of the WSCAH

Elysa Dauerman & Menachem Pastreich, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Amy Traub & Clifton Poole, in support of the WSCAH

Ellen Resnick, in support of the WSCAH

Andrea & Edward Rock, in support of the WSCAH

Lori Skopp & Michael Schmidt, in support of the WSCAH

Beverly Schneider, in support of the WSCAH

Elizabeth Stein & George Schneiderman, in support of the WSCAH

Judy Margolin & Seth Schwartz, in memory of Giselle Stevens, mother of Amy Stevens and grandmother of Molly Stevens

Ricki & Jeff Segall, in support of the WSCAH

Roberta & Paul Shapiro, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Lenore & Ira Silverstein, in support of the WSCAH

Mark Sirota, in support of the WSCAH

Ann Wimpfheimer & Eddie Snyder, in support of the WSCAH

Marilyn Strozak, in memory of Michael Kaplan

Ruth Sussman, in support of the WSCAH

Laurie Izes & Steve Switzky, in support of the WSCAH

Julie & Aaron Webman, in support of the WSCAH

Hannah Sholl & Ralph Wolf, in support of the WSCAH

West Side Minyan, in memory of Solomon Mowshowitz's sister, Sylvia Orenstein


YAHRZEIT DONATIONS

Goldie Satt-Arrow & Eric Arrow, in memory of Goldie's mother, Hannah Satt

Helane Rosenberg & Yakov Epstein, in memory of Yakov's grandfather, Nahum Spodek

Sarah Fisher Gillman, in memory of Sarah's father, Harry Fisher, Aharon ben Yerucham Fishel Fischer

Marilyn Gordon, in loving memory of her mother, Ida Gordon

Michele Siegel & Oren Grad, in memory of Michele's mother, Norma P. Siegel

Sigrid Hess, in memory of Allen Hess

Ronelle & Gary Kallman, in memory of Gary's mother, Mildred Kallman

Tatyana Leifman, in memory of her aunt, Vera Leifman

Sheila & Sheldon Lewis, in memory of Sheila's mother, Ruth Kaufman, and her grandmother, Sadie Hochhauser

Iris Lupu, in memory of her parents, Berta and Natan Lupu

Lisa Maller & Rich Ocken, in memory of Rich's mother, Gloria Ocken

Sylvia Weber, in memory of her husband, Alvin Weber, her son, Andrew Weber, and her mother, Jennie Lang


KIDDUSH DONATIONS

Bena Medjuck-Bruckner & Gustavo Bruckner, in memory of Bena's father, Franklyn D. Medjuck, beloved and greatly missed on his 10th yahrzeit


MUSIC FUND DONATIONS

Michele Siegel & Oren Grad, in memory of Shimon Hirschhorn

Cara & Stan Judovits, in memory of Shimon Hirschhorn


TORAH REPAIR DONATIONS

Rebecca Reitz & Sidney Gribetz, in memory of Michael Kaplan

 

SHELTER

Alina Zucker Aronoff & Avram Aronoff

Amy Greenhouse & George Brieger

Stephanie & Michael Cantor

Elizabeth Denlinger

Freda & Evan Eisenberg

Helane Rosenberg & Yakov Epstein

Hannah Leider & Jeff Felmus

Lora Dole & Daniel Friedman

Sara Frohlich

Marge Goldwater

Fran Gordon

Tamara & Martin Green

Nancy Greenbaum

Jennifer Rosenberg & Gil Israeli

Michael Joseph

Marla Alhadeff & Andrew Kaufman

Bess & Leor Landa

Julian Lander

Luciana Pajecki Lederman & Alon Lederman

Maura Harway & Richard Mark

Linda Messing

David Baral & Ron Meyers

Lisa Maller & Rich Ocken

Jessica Rechtschaffer

Ellen Resnick

Julie Sissman & Phil Richter

Andrea & Edward Rock

Lori Skopp & Michael Schmidt

Beverly Schneider

Elizabeth Stein & George Schneiderman

Ricki & Jeff Segall

Ann Wimpfheimer & Eddie Snyder

Geula & Joshua Solomon

Laurie Izes & Steve Switzky

Hannah Sholl & Ralph Wolf


KIBBUTZ KFAR AZZA DONATIONS

Nancy Abramson

Ruth Frommer & Kenneth Amron

Sherry Waksbaum & Andrew Baraff

Margot Becker

Dina Rosenfeld & Howard Berkowitz

Corinne Boren

Michelle Bornstein

Cynthia Braslau

Michael Brochstein

Bena Medjuck-Bruckner & Gustavo Bruckner

Carol Ingall & Stephan Brumberg

Susan Charney

Miriam Benhaim & Benyamin Cirlin

Donna Fishman & Steven Cohen

Susan Dickman

Amy Zarrow & Alan Divack

Dirk Donath

Leslie Berger & Kenneth Drucker

Helane Rosenberg & Yakov Epstein

Jenny & Gabriel Falcon

Nina Fischer-Fine & Scott Fine

Shuly Rubin Schwartz & Eric Fishman

Glenda Frank

Grace Freundlich

David & Jessica Friedman

Gail Glickman

Laura Gold

Marge Goldwater

Carole & Mark Gothelf

Vicki Brower & Michael Gottsegen

Michele Siegel & Oren Grad

Risa & David Greenbaum

Debra & Martin Greenberg

Carolyn Greene

Bari & Matthew Greenfield

Stephen Gross

Navah Harlow

Jessica Schein & Ehud Herbst

Jennifer Cowan & Dan Jacob

Susan Kalev

Amy & Jeremy Kalmanofsky

Alan Katz

Wendy & Avery Katz

Lisa Litt & Michael Knopf

Sarah Jacobs & David Kronfeld

Samuel Kronfeld

Cecile Kuznitz

Lois Leatherman

Judy Bass & Jack Levy

Susan Ennis & Owen Lewis

Sheila & Sheldon Lewis

Hannah Lipman

Gila Lipton

Andrew Mann

Ayelet Cohen & Marc Margolius

Dana Vermilye & Morgan May

Judith Edelstein & James Meier

Linda Messing

Anne Mintz

Deborah & Solomon Mowshowitz

Barbara Noble

Rachel Fremmer & Caleb Pollack

Erica Gruen & Richard Pravda

Barrie & Jerry Raik

Sharon & Michael Rebell

Ellen Resnick

Tracy Sivitz & Randall Ringer

Iris Engelson & Hyman Rosen

Catherine Ross, in memory of her father, Alexander Ross

Joan & Brent Schimke

Robin Schmerler & Jeffrey Schwartz

Deborah Shulevitz & Ori Schwartzburg

Ralph Seliger

Roberta & Paul Shapiro

Mark Sirota

Helen Singer & Michael Skliar

Joyce Slochower

Miriam Cukier & Mark Smith

Ann Wimpfheimer & Eddie Snyder

Shalom Stavsky

Diana Stevens

Debra & Randy Weinstein

Bonnie Zaben

Despite our best efforts and extensive proofreading, we apologize for any errors or omissions.