What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the culmination of a 40-day-long process of teshuvah—shedding the dysfunctional patterns in our lives, making amends for our ...
Holidays
Opening the Gates: Observing Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the pinnacle of our introspective season. Throughout Yom Kippur, you will encounter prayer services that have some familiar elements and others that ...
Digging Deeper: A Spiritual Accounting
Kol Nidre, the prayer that begins our Yom Kippur experience, is most well known for its iconic and haunting melody. The Book of Life is ...
Foundation: What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah not only marks the start of the Jewish year but also begins the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, a 10-day period that ...
Opening the Gates: Observing Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we use special greetings, we eat sweet foods, and we perform the ritual of tashlikh—symbolically casting away our sins.
Digging Deeper: Opening Our Hearts
Throughout the month of Elul, in the lead-up to the Yamim Nora’im, we engage in heshbon nefesh, reflecting on who we are and who we ...
Mishloah Manot Exchange for BJ Members
Share in the joy of Purim with our mishloah manot exchange! Sign up and we’ll match you with another BJ member; each of you will ...
Add More Light: Rabbi Roly Matalon
The week of Hanukkah mirrors the reality in our lives that, most often, human achievement comes slowly, bit by bit, with commitment, patience, and discipline. ...
Add More Light: Anastasia Brown
I was born to play Elizabeth Bennett. I’d been reading Pride and Prejudice, over and over since I was 9 years old, and I knew ...
Add More Light: Martha Ackelsberg
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- By CTA
I recently returned from a trip to Israel and Palestine sponsored by Combatants for Peace, and I am happy to share some stories of how ...
Add More Light: Florence Manson
It has been many years now since I was on a silent retreat sponsored by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. The morning schedule included a ...
Add More Light: Robert Bank
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- By Robert Bank
We celebrate Hanukkah during the Northern Hemisphere’s darkest time of the year. Amidst this darkness, I am fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of ...
Add More Light: Jeannie Blaustein
How do we understand transformation? How can light enter a world bathed in so much darkness? Last year, on the 8th day of Hanukkah, my ...
Add More Light: Rabbi Felicia Sol
Even when it doesn’t appear that sustaining light is possible. Even when the odds are not in our favor. Even when there is uncertainty about ...
We Need 200 Backpacks for Asylum Seekers
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- By Kiana Davis
Help us put together 200 welcome backpacks with necessary toiletries and meaningful supplies for newly arrived asylum seekers in NYC.
We Need 200 Backpacks for Asylum Seekers
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- By Kiana Davis
Help us put together 200 welcome backpacks with necessary toiletries and meaningful supplies for newly arrived asylum seekers in NYC.
Ushpizin and Ushpizot: Welcoming Guests
The Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) instituted a practice of inviting ushpizin (celestial guests) to join us in the sukkah. They imagined that we could welcome a ...
Is It Time To Add Borscht To Our Seder Plates?
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- By Michael Witman and Rebecca Weintraub
As Pesah begins, we feel all our senses come to life. Our seder plate—filled with the shank bone (zeroa), egg (beitzah), bitter herbs (maror), vegetable ...
Rejoicing in Being Together: Purim at BJ
Purim 2020 was an uncertain, fearful time as the world started to become nervous about COVID-19. Two years later, Jews around the world were thrilled ...
Rejoicing in Being Together: Purim at BJ
Purim 2020 was an uncertain, fearful time as the world started to become nervous about COVID-19. Two years later, Jews around the world were thrilled ...
Rejoicing in Being Together: Purim at BJ
Purim 2020 was an uncertain, fearful time as the world started to become nervous about COVID-19. Two years later, Jews around the world were thrilled ...
Rejoicing in Being Together: Purim at BJ
Purim 2020 was an uncertain, fearful time as the world started to become nervous about COVID-19. Two years later, Jews around the world were thrilled ...
Rejoicing in Being Together: Purim at BJ
Purim 2020 was an uncertain, fearful time as the world started to become nervous about COVID-19. Two years later, Jews around the world were thrilled ...
Purchase the Matzah You Need and Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking
We are proud to partner with Mitzvah Matzoh, a non-profit that harnesses the power of Pesah to expand freedom for those who need it most. ...
Purchase the Matzah You Need and Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking
We are proud to partner with Mitzvah Matzoh, a non-profit that harnesses the power of Pesah to expand freedom for those who need it most. ...
Purchase the Matzah You Need and Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking
We are proud to partner with Mitzvah Matzoh, a non-profit that harnesses the power of Pesah to expand freedom for those who need it most. ...
Purchase the Matzah You Need and Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking
We are proud to partner with Mitzvah Matzoh, a non-profit that harnesses the power of Pesah to expand freedom for those who need it most. ...
Purchase the Matzah You Need and Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking
We are proud to partner with Mitzvah Matzoh, a non-profit that harnesses the power of Pesah to expand freedom for those who need it most. ...
Mitzvah #4: Hear Megillat Esther
Megillat Esther is the literal scroll of parchment that the Hebrew text of the book of Esther is written on, but is most often used ...
Mitzvah #3: Host a Purim Seudah
One of the most important mitzvot of Purim is to host a seudah (a festive meal) on Purim day. Since Purim is known as a ...
Mitzvah #1: Send Mishloah Manot
The mitzvah of mishloah manot (literally: sending gift packages) consists of sending gifts of food to friends and neighbors. These gifts strengthen the ties that ...
Mitzvah #2: Give Matanot Le’evyonim
Giving matanot le’evyonim (literally, gifts to the poor) is a core mitzvah of Purim. In modern times, this can take the form of direct presents, ...
Join our Purim 5782 Hamentaschen Pledge Drive!
Help BJ spread Adar joy with homemade hamentaschen! Your freshly baked hamentaschen will be donated to BJ’s lunch program guests and to the Goddard Riverside ...
A Solo Seder with Ushpizin
Letter to the Editor Published in the New York Jewish Week on March 29 2020
Holidays Events
Erev Shabbat/Sukkot Service (First Day)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetPassionately traditional, boldly innovative, and deeply spiritual, Shabbat services at BJ are like no other.
A Sukkot Conversation on Shelter, Housing, and Community
Venue: Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Location: The Samuel Priest Rose Building, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th StreetWhat does it mean to celebrate Sukkot when so many in our community are unhoused? At this program hosted by the Marlene Meyerson JCC, we will wrestle with how we can be a welcoming and compassionate community in the midst of a housing crisis.
Sukkot Community Shabbat Dinner
Venue: Rooftop SukkahCelebrate Shabbat and the first night of Sukkot with a community dinner. BJ will provide wine and the main dish; please bring a dairy/vegetarian side dish, salad, or dessert to share.
Shabbat and Sukkot Morning Services (First Day)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetShabbat morning services at BJ — join us in person or online. All welcome.
Sukkot Early Childhood Morning Service (First Day)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for Sukkot morning services filled with singing, shaking the lulav and etrog, and learning about the holiday.
Exploring Food, Sukkot, and the Climate Crisis in NYC
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetAfter Kiddush in the sukkah, join us for a thoughtful conversation exploring the crucial connections between the food choices we make every day and the impact on climate change.
Sukkot Evening Service (Second Day)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we celebrate the second night of Sukkot with uplifting melodies from across the Jewish world and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Open Sukkah Hours
Venue: Rooftop SukkahJoin us in our sukkah on the BJ rooftop terrace! Bring your dairy/vegetarian meal and meet with friends in the sukkah at select times throughout Sukkot.
Sukkot Morning Services (Second Day)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we celebrate the second day of Sukkot with uplifting melodies from across the Jewish world, deepened by the wisdom of our tradition and calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Early Childhood Sukkot Party
Venue: Rooftop SukkahJoin us in the sukkah before Early Childhood services for a Sukkot-themed party!
Sukkot Early Childhood Morning Service (Second Day)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for Sukkot morning services filled with singing, shaking the lulav and etrog, and learning about the holiday. These spiritual holiday services are for families with children from birth to 7 years old.
Shaharit (Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot—In Person and Online)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetDevelop a daily Jewish practice and help us make a minyan so our members can say kaddish for their loved ones. Join us every day on Zoom, and in person on Mondays, Thursdays, and other special days with Torah reading.
Dinner with New Neighbors in the Sukkah
Venue: Rooftop Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin families living in the nearby migrant and refugee shelter for a communal meal and gathering in the sukkah. BJ members of all ages are welcome—there will be fun activities for children! Please bring a dessert that can be shared.
Pizza in the Sukkah
Venue: Rooftop Location: 270 West 89th StreetAll 5th and 6th graders are invited to join us for pizza in the sukkah after Kadima ends.
Connections Dinner in the Sukkah
Venue: Rooftop SukkahBring your own dairy/vegetarian meal and enjoy an evening of camaraderie in the sukkah with Connections, BJ’s social group for 55+.
Sukkot Concert with Late Night Thoughts
Venue: Rooftop Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us in the Sukkah for a night of joyful music with Late Night Thoughts! LNT is the folk-pop duo from BJ’s own Michael Harlow (Teen Educator and Music Educator) together with Brian Rauch.
Hoshana Rabba Services and Brunch
Venue: Sanctuary & Rooftop Sukkah Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us for Hoshana Rabba services, followed by a community brunch in the sukkah.
Shabbat / Shemini Atzeret Evening Service
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetPassionately traditional, boldly innovative, and deeply spiritual, Shabbat services at BJ are like no other.
Shabbat / Shemini Atzeret Morning Services (with Yizkor)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetShabbat morning services at BJ — join us in person or online. All welcome.
Shemini Atzeret Early Childhood Morning Service
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for Sukkot morning services filled with singing, shaking the lulav and etrog, and learning about the holiday.
Candy Torah Making
Venue: Rooftop SukkahJoin us after Shabbat morning services to prepare for Simhat Torah with other K-2nd graders by creating your own Torah out of the best material there is…candy!
Erev Simhat Torah Family Service
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetCalling all families with children under 12! Join us for Erev Simhat Torah services as we dance, sing, and celebrate together.
Simhat Torah with Aviv
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin Aviv friends new and old for a light nosh before we kick off our Simhat Torah services and celebration. Wear comfortable shoes for the epic dance party afterwards!
Erev Simhat Torah Celebration
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetSimhat Torah at BJ is a celebration like no other! Arvit begins at 7:15 PM, followed by all the singing and dancing you could ever ask for. Hakafot (the extraordinary Simhat Torah dancing) will end at approximately 9:45 PM, and services will continue until approximately 10:45 PM.
Simhat Torah Morning Services
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us on the morning of the Simhat Torah when we celebrate with our Kallat Torah, Judith Trachtenberg, and Hatan Bereshit, Micah Dicker. Simhat Torah services will conclude with a community lunch.
Simhat Torah Early Childhood Morning Service
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun holiday service full of singing, movement, and learning. This service is for families with children from birth to 7 years old.
Shaharit (Hanukkah—In Person and Online)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetDevelop a daily Jewish practice and help us make a minyan so our members can say kaddish for their loved ones. Join us every day on Zoom, and in person on Mondays, Thursdays, and other special days with Torah reading.