Join Our Community-Wide Writing Project
This Elul, we invite you to join our community-wide writing project and share your reflections. We ask you to respond to the simple, yet profound, ...
Holidays
Shavuot 101
Like many Jewish holidays, Shavuot is, in part, an agricultural celebration. Shavuot marks the first harvest. Shavuot also represents a milestone in the annual reenactment ...
BJ Theater Company Rehearsals: The Greatest Afikoman
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- By Emma Miller
Join the BJ Theater Company as we celebrate Pesah! Kindergarten-sixth graders are invited to explore the Haggadah through song and dance as we weave together ...
Mishloah Manot
Mishloah manot is one of the four mitzvot of the Purim holiday. It literally means “sending of portions” and refers to a gift of food ...
The Spirit of Giving
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- By Kiana Davis
Support our local community this winter with your contributions.
Hunger Doesn’t Stop for the Holidays
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- By Kiana Davis
Hunger doesn't stop for the holidays. Will you help us ensure WSCAH can provide New Yorkers in need with a holiday meal this season?
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 ...
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
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- By 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
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- By 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 ...
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
7th-Grade Sukkot Dinner
Venue: Rooftop SukkahWe welcome 7th-grade families to kick off Sukkot with us over a festive dinner! All attendees should have a child registered for either the 7th-grade bundle or Haverim.
Sukkot Evening Service (First Night)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we celebrate the first night of Sukkot with uplifting melodies from across the Jewish world, brought to life by our extraordinary musicians and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Sukkot Community Dinner
Venue: Rooftop SukkahCelebrate the first night of Sukkot with a community dinner in the Sukkah. Sukkot is referred to as z’man simhatenu—the time of joy—and we will tap into that spirit with good food, song, and connection.
Sukkot Morning Services (First Day)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we celebrate the first day of Sukkot with uplifting melodies from across the Jewish world, brought to life by our extraordinary musicians 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 SukkahBring your own dairy/vegetarian meal and enjoy it in the beauty of our rooftop sukkah.
Early Childhood Sukkot Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun Sukkot service full of singing, movement, and learning.
Sukkot Evening Service (Second Night)
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.
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, brought to life by our extraordinary musicians and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Erev Shabbat/Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot Service
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us for Kabbalat Shabbat and Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot with uplifting melodies brought to life by our extraordinary musicians, deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Shabbat/Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot Morning Services
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetCelebrate Shabbat and Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot with uplifting melodies brought to life by our extraordinary musicians and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Environmental Movie Night in the Sukkah
Venue: Rooftop Location: 270 West 89th StreetBring your own dinner and join the BJ Environmental Advocates for a showing of the provocative, informative documentary Food, Inc. 2 on the rooftop terrace of our Community House.
Shaharit: Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot (In-Person and Online)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin BJ’s morning minyan throughout Hol Hamo’ed Sukkot.
Aviv Sukkot Party
Venue: Rooftop Terrace Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin Aviv and Minyan Marom under the beautiful BJ rooftop sukkah for an evening of wine, snacks, and schmoozing as we embrace fall and get into the Sukkot spirit!
Hoshanah Rabbah Services and Brunch
Venue: Sanctuary & Rooftop Sukkah Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us for Hoshanah Rabbah services, followed by a community brunch in the sukkah.
Shemini Atzeret Evening Services
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we enter into Shemini Atzeret with uplifting melodies brought to life by our extraordinary musicians and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Shemini Atzeret Morning Services
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us as we celebrate Shemini Atzeret with uplifting melodies brought to life by our extraordinary musicians and deepened by the wisdom of our tradition, calling us to renew our commitment to building a world of justice, dignity, and peace.
Early Childhood Shemini Atzeret Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual holiday service full of singing, movement, and learning.
Pre-Simhat Torah Dinner with Aviv
Venue: Frankel Hall Location: 257 West 88th StreetBefore we celebrate Simhat Torah like only BJ can, come together for a pre-holiday meal with other 20s + 30s! The food will be kosher dairy. Connect over dinner and meet a great crew to dance with all night!
Teen Simhat Torah Party
Venue: Rooftop SukkahCelebrate Simhat Torah with our teen community before joining the larger BJ community for Hakafot!
Erev Simhat Torah Celebration
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetSimhat Torah at BJ is a celebration like no other! We will begin with Arvit, followed by all the singing and dancing you could ever ask for!
Simhat Torah Morning Services
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us on the morning of the Simhat Torah when we honor and celebrate with Kallat Torah, Beth Siegel, and Kallat Bereshit, Alive Tiven-Gottesman. Simhat Torah services will conclude with a community lunch open to all (no registration required).
Early Childhood Simhat Torah Morning Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun holiday service full of singing, movement, and learning.
Early Childhood Simhat Torah Evening Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun holiday service full of singing, movement, learning, and dancing with the Torah!
Early Childhood Megillah Reading (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Sanctuary Location: 257 West 88th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun Purim evening where we will hear a kid-friendly reading of the Megillah!
Early Childhood Pesah Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun Pesah service full of singing, movement, learning, and to hear the Passover story!
Early Childhood Shavuot Service (Age 6 and Under)
Venue: Rabbi Rachel Cowan Chapel Location: 270 West 89th StreetJoin us for this spiritual and fun Shavuot service full of singing, movement, learning, and some flower decorating.