WEEKLY NEWS

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

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

Follow Ansche Chesed on Instagram and Facebook for photos, events and more. 

If this newsletter is cut off, click here to view in browser.

Mazel Tov to Jake Cloyd and his father, Zachary Bogner, on his Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat. 

We also wish Mazel Tov to Sydney Shaiman and Jordan Phillips, and their families, on their aufruf this Shabbat.

Please join us in wishing comfort to Diane and Allen Schoer, and their children, Kyla and Noah, at the passing of Diane's mother, Selma.

Save the Date: Ansche Chesed Tribute Gala on June 22

Please join us on Sunday, June 22 at 5:30pm for Ansche Chesed's 2025 Tribute Gala as we honor Patty & Seth Goldman, Marge Goldwater and Wendy & Avery Katz. Stay tuned for more info.

Pesach Divrei Torah from our Hebrew School Students

This year our Kitah Vav (6th grade) Hebrew School students wrote Divrei Torah about Pesach to share at their seders. They each chose a topic from the seder that interested them, thought of questions, found answers from a variety of sources, and came up with their own answers. We are so proud of their hard work and are sharing a few with you. We encourage you to take a look and save them for your seders next year!

Playing Hide and Seek with God in the 21st Century: A Theological Shabbaton with Former JTS Chancellor Arnie Eisen, Hosted by Minyan M'at

Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at AC

In his book Seeking the Hiding God: A Personal Theological Essay, Prof. Eisen delves into the profound mystery of divine hiddenness, presenting a compelling exploration of how this central theological dilemma resonates within modern Jewish life. All are invited to join Minyan M'at for any and all of the events below. Learn more and RSVP

Friday Night, May 2

6:30pm: Kabbalat Shabbat Services in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

7:30pm: Shabbat Dinner and Dialogue with Rabbi Dr. Laura Gold

Registration required, $45/person ($25/student)

Prof. Eisen will introduce us to the main themes of his book and explore, among other things, how modern Jews can create a Jewish theology that involves a hidden God.

Shabbat morning, May 3rd

10am: Minyan M’at Services on the 5th Floor

After Tefilot: Learning Session with Prof. Eisen teaching for 45 minutes on the 5th Floor

Kiddush/Lunch: On the roof (free RSVPs requested)

Intergenerational Mitzvah Knitting Group

Sunday, May 4 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. Yarn and pattern will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing Emily.

Shuk It Up: The Largest Israeli Food Workshop in NYC

Sunday, May 4 from 5:30 - 7pm at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Ave.)

Get ready for an unforgettable culinary adventure as Chen and Alon Koren, founders of "Box from Jerusalem," bring the flavors of Israel's iconic Machne Yehuda Market (aka the Shuk) to NYC! Adults and families alike are invited to roll up their sleeves and create Israeli classics like Malabi, stuffed grape leaves, and more -- enjoy a taste of the Shuk with vibrant flavors and stories that will transport you straight to Jerusalem.

Ansche Chesed will have our own tables at the JCC's workshop. Please sign up here to sit with our group.

Organized by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in partnership with Ansche Chesed.

Of a Certain Age: Lunch and Board Games

Thursday, May 8 from 12 - 2pm in 5 North

Join us for our May "Of a Certain Age" lunch... and to play some board games! Scrabble, Rummikub, Mah Jongg, cards, even a jigsaw puzzle -- bring your favorite game, and we'll have a chance to play them and talk. Don't worry if you're not a game player, there'll be food and lots of conversations as well. 

Please RSVP here to help our planning. Walk-ins also welcome.

Young Professionals: Volunteer at West Side Campaign Against Hunger

Thursday, May 8 from 6 - 7pm at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (263 W. 86th St.)

AC young professionals, please join us for a meaningful evening of volunteering at WSCAH, an organization that has been providing New Yorkers with access to healthy food for 45 years. In the last year alone, WSCAH delivered meals to over 110,000 people across all five boroughs. Activities at the event will include packing healthy food, writing heartfelt cards to WSCAH customers, and getting to know other AC young professionals!

Please register here and contact Abigail Goldberg-Zelizer if you have any questions.

'Meet Your Neighbor' Mother's Day Brunch with KKGAS

Sunday, May 11 from 12 - 2pm at AC

Join us to celebrate Mother's Day as Knock Knock Give a Sock invites mothers and children living in local homeless shelters for brunch. Neighbors will meet neighbors as we dine together and share experiences of motherhood.

Programming provided for kids up to age 12. Dads and kids older than 12 will have volunteer roles with the younger kids so that the moms have a chance to relax and enjoy a break! Learn more and register

The City Without Jews (Die Stadt ohne Juden): A Cine-Concert with Live Original Music

Monday, May 19 from 7:30 - 9:30pm in the Sanctuary

An unscrupulous politician uses the rising price of eggs (!) to force the National Assembly in the city of Utopia to pass an antisemitic law, forcing all Jews to leave the country. Thus begins The City Without Jews, H.K. Breslauer’s 1924 silent masterpiece, produced, tragically, shortly before the satirical events depicted in the fictional story transformed into all-too-horrific reality.

With Live Music composed and performed by world-renowned klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals and celebrated silent film pianist Donald Sosin. The evening will include a short performance of Jewish Choral music from the Weimar Republic by Shirei Chesed Community Chorus and Cantor Natasha J. Hirschhorn with guest soloists. Learn more and register

Yom HaZikaron: Songs of Remembrance, and

Yom Ha'atzmaut: 77 Minutes of Hope,

with the 14th Street Y

Tuesday, April 29 at 7pm (Yom HaZikaron) and Wednesday, April 30 at 7pm (Yom Ha'atzmaut) at the 14 Street Y Theater (344 East 14th St., at 1st Ave.)

This Yom HaZikaron, we gather to honor the lives lost in Israel and unite in shared song. With music led by acclaimed Israeli artists Yonatan Gutfeld (musical director/guitar/piano), Dana Herz (voice), Chanan Ben Simon (voice), Tal Mashiach (bass), Maya Cohen (drums), and Eden Bareket (flute), this evening invites you to participate in a powerful tradition of collective remembrance. Songs will be sung in Hebrew, with English translations provided. Learn more

Then, join us for an evening of hope and storytelling. In the spirit of resilience, community, strength, and hope, and to mark the 77th Yom Ha'atzmaut, we will spend 77 minutes in hopeful transformation through the stories of acclaimed artists, writers, and advocates, as well as a special presentation of State of the Jews, an opera by Pulitzer Prize finalist Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan. Presenters include award-winning Israeli author and AC member Ruby Namdar; cultural critic and AC member Judith Shulevitz; Israeli filmmaker Nim Shapira (director of the documentary film, Torn); Pulitzer Prize finalist, Alex Weiser; and others. Learn more

14 Street Y has generously offered complimentary tickets to AC members. Please reach out to Director of Jewish Life, Helena Gindi at hgindi@14streety.org, noting that you're a member of Ansche Chesed, if you are interested in tickets in one or both of these events.

10th Anniversary Cantorial Concert, Honoring Cantor Shiree Kidron

Sunday, May 4 at 7:30pm at Or Olam (308 E. 55th St.)

Join us for an evening of music and celebration honoring Cantor Shiree Kidron’s 10th Anniversary at Or Olam Synagogue. The concert will feature a versatile and inspiring program with some of Manhattan’s most esteemed cantorial voices:​ Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue, Cantor Daniel Singer of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn of Ansche C​hesed​, and Cantor Luis Cattan of Sutton Place Synagogue, accompanied by members of the Sheba Ensemble and musical guests. Learn more and register

Support Asylum Seekers in NYC

As a synagogue community who recognizes the divine image of all people, is motivated by the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger, and is composed of generations of immigrants from across the world, we hope you will join us in supporting asylum seekers in our city. If you would like to hear from us about future opportunities to get involved, please join our mailing list.

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.

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.

Holy Books & Holy Time: Talmud 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.

Person in Need of Kidney Donation, from Julie Sissman

Some of you may know my friend, Nan Rubin, who is involved in various NYC Jewish non-profits, including Dorot, UJA, and Park Avenue Synagogue. Nan needs a kidney transplant, and I hope that you can help us find a donor. You can help by spreading the word and by attending an event on April 28 at 7pm at Park Avenue Synagogue. If you can't make the event, and would like to learn more about kidney donation or to see if you are a match for Nan (or anyone else), please email R26362@renewal.org or call 718-431-9831 Ext. 209. Learn more here