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WEEKLY NEWS

Shabbat Ki Tavo

August 29, 2026 / 16 Elul 5786

THIS SHABBAT

Kabbalat Shabbat Service: Friday, 6:30pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

Morning Services: 9:45am in Hirsch Hall

Minyan M'at Morning Services: 10am in 5 North

TeleTefila Services: 10am on Zoom

THIS WEEK

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

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

High Holiday Tickets Being Mailed


High Holiday tickets are being mailed today. If you do not receive them by Tuesday, September 8, please contact the office.


If you have not yet done so, please support our communal Jewish home by renewing your Ansche Chesed membership. High Holiday seats are now being reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and more than 90% of Sanctuary seats have already been assigned. Renew and request seats ASAP to reserve your spot. Contact the office with any questions.

Security Message


If you did not already, please read Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky's message regarding security. In particular, please note the new metal detector outside the 100th Street entrance, and that AC members can ease entry by requesting name badges from the office.

Shabbat Services in Hirsch Hall


Summer Shabbat morning services will be held in air-conditioned Hirsch Hall (downstairs) instead of the Sanctuary. For your comfort, please consider bringing a light sweater. Though we are unable to offer a livestream, TeleTefila will continue to hold virtual services. As a reminder, our weekly Parsha Class is paused for August, and will resume on September 5.

PREPARE FOR ROSH HASHANAH

Selichot: Der Arbeter-Tog ("Labor Day" in Yiddish)

Saturday, September 5 at 9pm in Hirsch Hall


Since this Selichot falls on Labor Day weekend, we will be pleased to study with Professor Rebecca Kobrin of Columbia University, a renowned historian of American Judaism, about Eastern European Jews and their activism for unions and justice for American workers in the early 20th century. RSVP here


Following the program (at about 10pm), please join us for Selichot, one of the most musical, inspiring and participatory services of the entire High Holiday year, with Hazzan Natasha J. Hirschhorn and special musical guests, Mike Cohen on woodwinds and Damien Bassman on percussion, as we implore God לשמוע אל הרינה ואל התפילה , “hear our prayer and praise,” and help us ready ourselves for this season of teshuva.

Elul "Podcast" Conversations


With Elul this year falling mostly at the end of summer, when many are away, we are offering a virtual option for our usual programming designed to help you prepare for the High Holidays. Stay tuned for a series of three podcast-style conversations between Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky and AC members, each of which will focus on different spiritual and emotional approaches to the “awesome days” of 5787.

In our first conversation, we are joined by Judy Katz, Debbie Greenberg, and Joe Alban to discuss the awe and terror of the liturgical poem Unetaneh Tokef. What are our spiritual reactions to focusing on the certainty of human mortality? How do “teshuva, tefillah and tzedakah,” repentance, prayer and charity ease the bitterness of being mortal?

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Hebrew Classes at AC


Interested in learning Hebrew? Our intermediate Modern Hebrew and beginner Biblical/Prayerbook Hebrew classes, taught by experienced teacher Nadav Wiesel, will return at the end of September. Email Josh to discuss whether the classes would be a good fit for you, and stay tuned for further details.

Mazal Bueno: A Portrait in Song of the Spanish Jews

Monday, October 26 at 7pm in the Sanctuary


Julie Benko, star of Harmony and Funny Girl on Broadway, and the GRAMMY-nominated Western Wind Vocal Ensemble are joined by Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn, guest instrumentalists and The Shirei Chesed Community Choir. The narration by Jane Mushabac is dedicated to her grandmother, Djoya Mushabac (1877-1958), from the Dardanelles in Turkey. Djoya, portrayed by Julie Benko, introduces 25 exquisite Ladino songs that colorfully depict the Sephardic life that flourished in Turkey after the expulsion from Spain in 1492. Learn more and buy tickets

AC Book Group

Wednesdays (dates below), 6 - 7pm at AC


Join our in-person book group for literary conversation rooted in Jewish themes and storytelling. We’ll rotate facilitators (voluntary), and our discussions will be warm, thoughtful, and welcoming. All are welcome—members and non-members alike. Learn more and RSVP


October 21: Boy From the North Country by Sam Sussman


December 2: The World to Come by Dara Horn


February 10: An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn


April 7: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

HIGH HOLIDAYS

See our High Holiday webpage for details, including a service schedule.

Book of Remembrance


The Book of Remembrance memorializes those close to us who have passed away, but who have not been forgotten. You can submit names and view the Book of Remembrance. Contact the office with any questions.

Virtual Services


Please sign up at this link to access the livestream for our Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services.

Family Services & Childcare


Families are invited to join Ansche Chesed’s FREE Family Services, with options for children of different ages. Learn more and RSVP


We also offer paid childcare, so you can drop off your children with experienced childcare providers while you attend services. Learn more and register

SHELTER

Volunteers Needed


Please consider signing up for a volunteer shift at the reopened shelter. Particularly during the summer while people are away, every volunteer makes a huge difference! Volunteer shifts are easy, with step-by-step procedures and an on-call volunteer to answer questions that come up. 


To learn more and sign up to volunteer, please contact Amy Shapiro-Kessler at 212-865-0600 x209 or ashapirokessler@anschechesed.org.

PS 145

Make a Difference in a Child's Life


Whether you’re interested in reading to preschoolers, working as a literacy tutor, assisting teachers in the classroom, or volunteering in a school library, we have something for you! Once again this year, Ansche Chesed is partnering with the Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math Program of the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan to match volunteers with meaningful opportunities at PS 145 (located at 105th Street and Amsterdam) and at other local schools. 


You will find the fall calendar, program descriptions, volunteer requirements and helpful details in the registration form. Registration ends September 29.

ONGOING PROGRAMMING

Shirei Chesed Community Chorus

Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9pm in 5 North

 

Shirei Chesed Community Chorus continues to build community through learning a rich and diverse repertoire of Jewish music, bringing harmony to a world that needs it more than ever. Our 4-part chorus brings together lovers of choral singing from both AC and the wider Jewish community. Our recent performances include classical programs with The Bachanalia String Orchestra, a jazz concert with The Afro-Semitic Experience ensemble and Oratorio Souls on Fire based on the book by Elie Wiesel. 


We will begin our 2026-67 with Mazal Bueno (info above), joining the GRAMMY-nominated Western Wind vocal ensemble and Broadway star Julie Benko. In the spring we will once again join forces with Nashirah, The Jewish Chorale of Greater Philadelphia, for concerts at AC and Philadelphia. Would you like to add your voice to these exciting collaborations? Join our weekly rehearsals on Wednesday nights, starting on October 7! For more information or to schedule an audition, email Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn.

Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavuah Class

PAUSED FOR AUGUST, RETURNS SEPTEMBER 5

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! 

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


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.

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.

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.

COMMUNITY

Chef's Table Rosh HaShanah Menu

 

Our longtime friend and kitchen tenant, Bruce Soffer of Chef's Table, offers a special catering menu for Rosh HaShanah, as well as Shabbat and other holidays. Chef's Table prepares delicious kosher meals, delivered to your door. Contact Bruce at (917) 868-7964 or visit his website for more information.

DOROT Rosh HaShanah Package Delivery: Make a Difference for an Older Adult

Wednesday, September 16


In this season of renewal, volunteer to deliver connection and joy to an older adult through DOROT's Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery. As a volunteer, you'll deliver a festive holiday package to an older adult on the Upper West Side or East Side of Manhattan and spend time connecting through a friendly visit or phone call. Just one hour of your time can help ensure that no one in our community feels alone during the High Holidays. Sign up today

Blue Compass: Supporting Jews Working in Secular Nonprofits/Philanthropy


Blue Compass is the first national initiative to support Jews working in secular nonprofits and philanthropy by building peer networks and practical tools to navigate workplace antisemitism and thrive in the sector. Peer Circles and in-person events are happening in NYC and San Francisco. Online resources, webinars, and community can be found on Compass Connect, our online platform. Learn more and join our network for free.  


Blue Compass helps Jewish professionals stay connected, supported, and resilient so they don’t have to choose between their Jewish identity and the work they love. Contact: info@bluecompassnetwork.org. Please pass this on to others who you think could benefit.

SHUK

Housekeeper/Caretaker Seeking Employment, from Corinne Boren

 

I am recommending my friend Anila who is seeking employment as a housekeeper, caretaker or companion. Anila is very experienced and caring. She helped me take care of my mother for over four years and truly enhanced her quality of life until my mother passed in 2020. Should you wish further information please feel free to contact me at my email address co18bo@aol.com or by phone 212-864-8163.

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.

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