Bible & Bagels

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 1, 8:15 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

Led By Rabbi Michael Friedman

Bible & Bagels was born more than 25 years ago when a small group of Central congregants got together with the goal of studying the Torah verse by verse.  Each week, Bible & Bagels convenes to take another small step forward in understanding our most important text.  While some of the original students are still going strong, many newcomers have been integrated into the group.  In 2009-10 we spent the year studying the process of revelation and the Ten Commandments.  In 2010-11 we studied the legal and ethical guidelines of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24).  In 2011-12 we will be focusing on the building of God’s dwelling, the mishkan (Exodus 25-31). The class meets Thursday mornings from 8:15-9:00am beginning Jan 5. 

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Intermediate Hebrew

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 1, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 803

Taught by Professor Miri Kubovy

In this course we will review the basic grammatical structures and learn how to construct more complicated sentences, enrich our vocabulary, and improve our grammar. We will also learn verbs and prepositions that will enable us to read and understand some of the liturgy in our prayer books. The class will be Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm, Feb 9-May 10.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Gems of Israeli Literature & Cinema

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 1, 6:00 - 8:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 803

This series examines the most important social and political issues in Israel today through the lens of Israeli literature, and a few films connected to the literary works we will discuss. Read More...

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Alper Talmud Study

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 2, 8:15 - 9:15 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

The Talmud is the recorded Oral Law in Judaism. Made up of the Mishnah and Gemara, it is an enormous body of legal work both in size and importance. Explore the laws and stories of this central text as we discuss Rabbinic personalities, the development of the Jewish legal system, and the values that continue to guide us as Jews today. Class meets every Friday morning from 8:15-9:15am beginning Jan 6.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Book Group

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 2, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 602

Reading takes us away from home, but more important it finds homes for us everywhere. Come find a home with other book lovers on Friday mornings at 9:30am in room 602. Discussions are always interesting, stimulating, and guaranteed to evoke lots of thoughts and feelings. Group leader Patti Sayre, LCSW and parenting center facilitator is less interested in whether or not you have read the book than in your participation in each week’s lively discussion.

Contact: For more information please contact Patti at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Shabbat Mishpacha

Worship Events

Fri. March 2, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Sanctuary / Pavilion

Shabbat Mishpachah, family Shabbat, is a monthly program designed especially for graduates of our Tot Shabbat programs, and our students in kindergarten through fourth grade. At Shabbat Mishpachah, parents and children join together in the Sanctuary at 6:00 pm to welcome Shabbat with the congregation. Then the children head downstairs to the Pavilion for an age-appropriate service led by Jonah Freelander, full time teacher, a member of the clergy and other members of our full time teacher team. Children rejoin their parents in the Sanctuary for the conclusion of the prayer service.

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Fri. March 2, 6:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Sat. March 3, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 502

Led by Rabbi Hiat

Each week, the Torah offers us a teaching through its historic characters, narrative and themes. How can we relate these ancient lessons to our modern selves? This weekly exploration offers new thought on old text. No previous background or Hebrew knowledge necessary.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Sat. March 3, 9:30 & 11:30 am
Location: Main Sanctuary

T’zaveh, Exod. 27:20 - 30:10
Haftarah - Esther 7:1-10; 8:15-17 or Samuel 15:2-34

The G Word

Adult Education Events

Mon. March 5, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Pavilion

Come talk about what no one talks about! Dr. Benjamin Sommer will talk about God in Judaism in the second of this four part series.

This four part series will explore God in Judaism. How has God been experienced throughout history? How does Jewish theology differ from other religions? What does God want from us and how do we have a relationship with God? Can we still be “good Jews” if we doubt God’s existence? Come hear from four scholars in the field about their area of expertise and their personal thoughts on the G-Word: Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove, Ph.D. & Rabbi Rachel Cowan. Mondays 6:30-8pm, Feb 27, March 5, March 12, March 26.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Advanced Hebrew For Beginners

Adult Education Events

Tues. March 6, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 801

Led by Jackie Schreiber

The Advanced Hebrew for Beginners class will pick up with where we left off in May, as we continue to build the foundations of the Hebrew language. We will spend this semester learning how to conjugate verbs in the past, present, and future. We will also expand our vocabulary through reading stories, articles, poems, and songs. Students who take this class should already have a command of the Hebrew alphabet and should have a basic understanding of how present-tense verbs are conjugated. By the end of this course, students should be able to hold basic conversations in Hebrew! New students welcome. This class meets every Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 pm, from Jan 3-May 22.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Biblical Models of Leadership

Adult Education Events

Tues. March 6, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 801

Taught by Rabbi Marion Lev-Cohen.

With the presidential election just months away, our thoughts turn to the qualities of leadership. What do we seek in a leader? What makes a leader good—or great? The Bible is awash with instructive, insightful and inspiring lessons in leadership. Join us as we unpack some of the Bible’s most engaging tales of leadership, seeing leaders at their best—and their worst. Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm. Jan 10, Feb 7, March 6, April 17, May 8.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 7, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Community House, Room 903

This class explores the Torah portion that is read on Shabbat for that week.  Students are encouraged to share their insight and opinion during each class as we mine our tradition and investigate life’s deepest questions. The class uses the Plaut Modern Commentary on the Torah and many other texts and commentaries to understand the weekly portion from an ancient and modern perspective. No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. As we review a new portion each week, students are welcome to join our class at any time throughout the year.  Engage in the study of Torah with your fellow congregants and Rabbi Salth each week. Every Wednesday throughout the year, 11:00am – 12:15pm, Room 602.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Pirke Avot: The Sayings of Our Sages

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 7, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 602

Pirke Avot is a tractate from the Talmud that focuses on ethical teachings and moral principles passed down to us from a group of rabbinic sages.  We will be studying these maxims and aphorisms with the goal of being able to apply their teachings to our own lives.  We will also be assessing if the meanings of these teachings have shifted over time or if their relevancy to our lives has changed.  Different themes that we will discuss include the relationships we have with other people, our own connections with God and religious practice, and the value of using proverbs to transmit values between generations.  Various translations and commentaries will be used to investigate how our own interpretations of the material can change based on the specific words chosen to reflect the rabbis’ original meanings.  No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm from Jan 4-May 23.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Bible & Bagels

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 8, 8:15 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

Led By Rabbi Michael Friedman

Bible & Bagels was born more than 25 years ago when a small group of Central congregants got together with the goal of studying the Torah verse by verse.  Each week, Bible & Bagels convenes to take another small step forward in understanding our most important text.  While some of the original students are still going strong, many newcomers have been integrated into the group.  In 2009-10 we spent the year studying the process of revelation and the Ten Commandments.  In 2010-11 we studied the legal and ethical guidelines of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24).  In 2011-12 we will be focusing on the building of God’s dwelling, the mishkan (Exodus 25-31). The class meets Thursday mornings from 8:15-9:00am beginning Jan 5.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Purim Carnival, Spiel & Adult Program

Worship Events

Thur. March 8, 4:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary & Pavilion

4:00 – 5:30 pm - Purim Carnival (with festive snacks) - Pavilion
The whole family is welcome to enjoy fun carnival food and games. Costumes are encouraged! Carnival games are free, but there will be an opportunity to donate to a tzedakah box.

5:45 – 6:45 pm - Purim Spiel & Megillah Reading - Main Sanctuary
“Come together” for our Beatles-themed Purim Spiel, as your clergy, teachers, and fellow congregants dance, sing, and present another creative take on the Book of Esther. Come in your favorite Megillah—or Beatles—costume!

7:30 – 9:00 pm - Purim After Hours - Pavilion
After the kids have had their fun, the 21+ crowd will gather in the Pavilion for some side-splitting stand-up comedy by Dan Naturman (as seen on the David Letterman Show) and Marion Grodin (daughter of Charles Grodin). This event will be emceed by congregant Andrew Farkas.  In keeping with Purim tradition, alcohol will flow freely and tasty treats will be served.  Our clergy only get this kooky one night a year. No photos are permitted – you’ll have to see it to believe it!  RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Alper Talmud Study

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 9, 8:15 - 9:15 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

The Talmud is the recorded Oral Law in Judaism. Made up of the Mishnah and Gemara, it is an enormous body of legal work both in size and importance. Explore the laws and stories of this central text as we discuss Rabbinic personalities, the development of the Jewish legal system, and the values that continue to guide us as Jews today. Class meets every Friday morning from 8:15-9:15am beginning Jan 6.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Book Group

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 9, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 602

Reading takes us away from home, but more important it finds homes for us everywhere. Come find a home with other book lovers on Friday mornings at 9:30am in room 602. Discussions are always interesting, stimulating, and guaranteed to evoke lots of thoughts and feelings. Group leader Patti Sayre, LCSW and parenting center facilitator is less interested in whether or not you have read the book than in your participation in each week’s lively discussion.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Fri. March 9, 6:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Sat. March 10, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 602

Led by Rabbi Hiat

Each week, the Torah offers us a teaching through its historic characters, narrative and themes. How can we relate these ancient lessons to our modern selves? This weekly exploration offers new thought on old text. No previous background or Hebrew knowledge necessary.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Tot Shabbat

Worship Events

Sat. March 10, 9:30 am
Location: Community House, 9th Floor

Tot Shabbat occurs twice a month: either on Friday night or Saturday morning. We hold Tot Shabbat services for families with pre-school age children. For many of us, we have warm memories of experiencing Shabbat as children, and we hope to encourage similar memories in your children. All Tot Shabbats are visited by a member of the clergy, along with Cantorial Intern Sheera Ben David or musician Joanie Leeds. Join us for songs, stories and words of prayer. Snacks are served at the conclusion of every session.

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Sat. December 10, 9:30 & 11:30 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Ki Tisa, Exod. 30:11-34:35
Parashat: I Kings 18:1-39

PJ Library Pajama Party

Worship Events

Sun. March 11, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: Community House, 9th Floor

Join us in your PJ’s for breakfast, hear a PJ library story, and participate in art projects and songs. Bring new, unused pajamas to be donated.

Contact: Danielle Rodriguez at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4003

The G Word

Adult Education Events

Monday. March 12, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Pavilion

Come talk about what no one talks about! Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D will talk about God in Judaism in the third part of this four part series.

This four part series will explore God in Judaism. How has God been experienced throughout history? How does Jewish theology differ from other religions? What does God want from us and how do we have a relationship with God? Can we still be “good Jews” if we doubt God’s existence? Come hear from four scholars in the field about their area of expertise and their personal thoughts on the G-Word: Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove, Ph.D. & Rabbi Rachel Cowan. Mondays 6:30-8pm, Feb 27, March 5, March 12, March 26.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Advanced Hebrew For Beginners

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 13, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 801

Led by Jackie Schreiber

The Advanced Hebrew for Beginners class will pick up with where we left off in May, as we continue to build the foundations of the Hebrew language. We will spend this semester learning how to conjugate verbs in the past, present, and future. We will also expand our vocabulary through reading stories, articles, poems, and songs. Students who take this class should already have a command of the Hebrew alphabet and should have a basic understanding of how present-tense verbs are conjugated. By the end of this course, students should be able to hold basic conversations in Hebrew! New students welcome. This class meets every Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 pm, from Jan 3-May 22.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Organ Concert

Community Events

Tues. March 13, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Roman Krasnovsky from Tel Aviv, Israel will be performing.

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 14, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Community House, Room 903

This class explores the Torah portion that is read on Shabbat for that week.  Students are encouraged to share their insight and opinion during each class as we mine our tradition and investigate life’s deepest questions. The class uses the Plaut Modern Commentary on the Torah and many other texts and commentaries to understand the weekly portion from an ancient and modern perspective. No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. As we review a new portion each week, students are welcome to join our class at any time throughout the year.  Engage in the study of Torah with your fellow congregants and Rabbi Salth each week. Every Wednesday throughout the year, 11:00am – 12:15pm, Room 602.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Pirke Avot: The Sayings of Our Sages

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 14, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 602

Pirke Avot is a tractate from the Talmud that focuses on ethical teachings and moral principles passed down to us from a group of rabbinic sages.  We will be studying these maxims and aphorisms with the goal of being able to apply their teachings to our own lives.  We will also be assessing if the meanings of these teachings have shifted over time or if their relevancy to our lives has changed.  Different themes that we will discuss include the relationships we have with other people, our own connections with God and religious practice, and the value of using proverbs to transmit values between generations.  Various translations and commentaries will be used to investigate how our own interpretations of the material can change based on the specific words chosen to reflect the rabbis’ original meanings.  No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm from Jan 4-May 23.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Bible & Bagels

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 15, 8:15 - 9:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

Led By Rabbi Michael Friedman

Bible & Bagels was born more than 25 years ago when a small group of Central congregants got together with the goal of studying the Torah verse by verse.  Each week, Bible & Bagels convenes to take another small step forward in understanding our most important text.  While some of the original students are still going strong, many newcomers have been integrated into the group.  In 2009-10 we spent the year studying the process of revelation and the Ten Commandments.  In 2010-11 we studied the legal and ethical guidelines of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24).  In 2011-12 we will be focusing on the building of God’s dwelling, the mishkan (Exodus 25-31). The class meets Thursday mornings from 8:15-9:00am beginning Jan 5.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Intermediate Hebrew

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 15, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Location: Community House, Room 803

Taught by Professor Miri Kubovy

In this course we will review the basic grammatical structures and learn how to construct more complicated sentences, enrich our vocabulary, and improve our grammar. We will also learn verbs and prepositions that will enable us to read and understand some of the liturgy in our prayer books. The class will be Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm, Feb 9-May 10.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Gems of Israeli Literature & Cinema

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 15, 6:00 - 8:45 pm
Location: Community House, Room 602

Taught by Professor Miri Kubovy This series examines the most important social and political issues in Israel today through the lens of Israeli literature, and a few films connected to the literary works we will discuss. Read More...

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Alper Talmud Study

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 16, 8:15 - 9:15 am
Location: Community House, Rooms 503

The Talmud is the recorded Oral Law in Judaism. Made up of the Mishnah and Gemara, it is an enormous body of legal work both in size and importance. Explore the laws and stories of this central text as we discuss Rabbinic personalities, the development of the Jewish legal system, and the values that continue to guide us as Jews today. Class meets every Friday morning from 8:15-9:15am beginning Jan 6.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Book Group

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 16, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 602

Reading takes us away from home, but more important it finds homes for us everywhere. Come find a home with other book lovers on Friday mornings at 9:30am in Room 602. Discussions are always interesting, stimulating, and guaranteed to evoke lots of thoughts and feelings. Group leader Patti Sayre, LCSW and parenting center facilitator is less interested in whether or not you have read the book than in your participation in each week’s lively discussion.

Contact: For more information please contact Patti at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tot Shabbat

Worship Events

Fri. March 16, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Community House, 9th Floor

Tot Shabbat occurs twice a month: either on Friday night or Saturday morning. We hold Tot Shabbat services for families with pre-school age children. For many of us, we have warm memories of experiencing Shabbat as children, and we hope to encourage similar memories in your children. All Tot Shabbats are visited by a member of the clergy, along with Cantorial Intern Sheera Ben David or musician Joanie Leeds. Join us for songs, stories and words of prayer. Snacks are served at the conclusion of every session.

Shabbat Worship

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 16, 6:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Sat. March 17, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 502

Led by Rabbi Hiat

Each week, the Torah offers us a teaching through its historic characters, narrative and themes. How can we relate these ancient lessons to our modern selves? This weekly exploration offers new thought on old text. No previous background or Hebrew knowledge necessary.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Saturday, March 17, 9:30 am
Location: Main Sanctuary

Vayak’heil - Pekudei, Exod. 35:1-40:38
Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:22-36

God’ s Love We Deliver

Community Events

Sun. March 18, 10:00 am - 1:00pm
Location: 166 6th Avenue at Spring Street

Central Synagogue is, once again, volunteering with God’s Love We Deliver this winter.  As many of you know, GLWD is a great organization that cooks and delivers meals to the homebound. In this regard, we will be working in the GLWD kitchen helping prepare the meals on Sunday mornings.  GLWD is located at 166 6th Avenue at Spring Street.

Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 21, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Community House, Room 903

This class explores the Torah portion that is read on Shabbat for that week.  Students are encouraged to share their insight and opinion during each class as we mine our tradition and investigate life’s deepest questions. The class uses the Plaut Modern Commentary on the Torah and many other texts and commentaries to understand the weekly portion from an ancient and modern perspective. No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. As we review a new portion each week, students are welcome to join our class at any time throughout the year.  Engage in the study of Torah with your fellow congregants and Rabbi Salth each week. Every Wednesday throughout the year, 11:00am – 12:15pm, Room 602.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Bible & Bagels

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 22, 8:15 - 9:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

Led By Rabbi Michael Friedman

Bible & Bagels was born more than 25 years ago when a small group of Central congregants got together with the goal of studying the Torah verse by verse.  Each week, Bible & Bagels convenes to take another small step forward in understanding our most important text.  While some of the original students are still going strong, many newcomers have been integrated into the group.  In 2009-10 we spent the year studying the process of revelation and the Ten Commandments.  In 2010-11 we studied the legal and ethical guidelines of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24).  In 2011-12 we will be focusing on the building of God’s dwelling, the mishkan (Exodus 25-31). The class meets Thursday mornings from 8:15-9:00am beginning Jan 5.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Alper Talmud Study

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 23, 8:15 - 9:15 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

The Talmud is the recorded Oral Law in Judaism. Made up of the Mishnah and Gemara, it is an enormous body of legal work both in size and importance. Explore the laws and stories of this central text as we discuss Rabbinic personalities, the development of the Jewish legal system, and the values that continue to guide us as Jews today. Class meets every Friday morning from 8:15 - 9:15 am beginning Jan 6.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Fri. March 23, 6:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Sat. March 24, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 502

Led by Rabbi Hiat

Each week, the Torah offers us a teaching through its historic characters, narrative and themes. How can we relate these ancient lessons to our modern selves? This weekly exploration offers new thought on old text. No previous background or Hebrew knowledge necessary.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Sat. March 24, 9:30 am
Location: Main Sanctuary

Vayikra, Lev. 1:1-5:26
Haftarah: Ezekial 45:16-25

Habitat for Humanity

Community Events

Sun. March 25, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Offsite

Central Synagogue has been invited to supply a minimum of five (5) volunteers on Sunday, March 25, 2012, to work on a rehab project in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.  Our team will be rehabilitating an existing building to create six condominiums for families in a three-story, walk up building. Each condo will have one bedroom, a den and a bathroom. Children 16 years or older may participate with the consent of their guardians. No prior construction experience is necessary. Wear long pants and closed toed shoes. Depending upon weather, dress in layers and do not bring valuables. A commitment involves the whole day with work at the site starting at 9.15 am and ending around 4.30 pm.  Transportation by car to and from the site should be available. The deadline for signing up is noon on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.

The G Word

Adult Education Events

Mon. March 26, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Pavilion

This four part series will explore God in Judaism. How has God been experienced throughout history? How does Jewish theology differ from other religions? What does God want from us and how do we have a relationship with God? Can we still be “good Jews” if we doubt God’s existence? Come hear from four scholars in the field about their area of expertise and their personal thoughts on the G-Word: Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D., Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove, Ph.D. & Rabbi Rachel Cowan. Mondays 6:30-8pm, Feb 27, March 5, March 12, March 26.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Advanced Hebrew For Beginners

Adult Education Events

Tues. March 27, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 801

Led by Jackie Schreiber

The Advanced Hebrew for Beginners class will pick up with where we left off in May, as we continue to build the foundations of the Hebrew language. We will spend this semester learning how to conjugate verbs in the past, present, and future. We will also expand our vocabulary through reading stories, articles, poems, and songs. Students who take this class should already have a command of the Hebrew alphabet and should have a basic understanding of how present-tense verbs are conjugated. By the end of this course, students should be able to hold basic conversations in Hebrew! New students welcome. This class meets every Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 pm, from Jan 3-May 22.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Organ Concert

Community Events

Tues. March 27, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

A student from St. Olaf College will be performing.

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 28, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Community House, Room 903

This class explores the Torah portion that is read on Shabbat for that week.  Students are encouraged to share their insight and opinion during each class as we mine our tradition and investigate life’s deepest questions. The class uses the Plaut Modern Commentary on the Torah and many other texts and commentaries to understand the weekly portion from an ancient and modern perspective. No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. As we review a new portion each week, students are welcome to join our class at any time throughout the year.  Engage in the study of Torah with your fellow congregants and Rabbi Salth each week. Every Wednesday throughout the year, 11:00am – 12:15pm, Room 602.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Pirke Avot: The Sayings of Our Sages

Adult Education Events

Wed. March 28, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 602

Pirke Avot is a tractate from the Talmud that focuses on ethical teachings and moral principles passed down to us from a group of rabbinic sages.  We will be studying these maxims and aphorisms with the goal of being able to apply their teachings to our own lives.  We will also be assessing if the meanings of these teachings have shifted over time or if their relevancy to our lives has changed.  Different themes that we will discuss include the relationships we have with other people, our own connections with God and religious practice, and the value of using proverbs to transmit values between generations.  Various translations and commentaries will be used to investigate how our own interpretations of the material can change based on the specific words chosen to reflect the rabbis’ original meanings.  No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm from Jan 4-May 23.

Bible & Bagels

Adult Education Events

Thurs. March 29, 8:15 - 9:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

Led By Rabbi Michael Friedman

Bible & Bagels was born more than 25 years ago when a small group of Central congregants got together with the goal of studying the Torah verse by verse.  Each week, Bible & Bagels convenes to take another small step forward in understanding our most important text.  While some of the original students are still going strong, many newcomers have been integrated into the group.  In 2009-10 we spent the year studying the process of revelation and the Ten Commandments.  In 2010-11 we studied the legal and ethical guidelines of Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24).  In 2011-12 we will be focusing on the building of God’s dwelling, the mishkan (Exodus 25-31). The class meets Thursday mornings from 8:15 - 9:00 am beginning Jan 5.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Intermediate Hebrew

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 29, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Community House, Room 803

Taught by Professor Miri Kubovy

In this course we will review the basic grammatical structures and learn how to construct more complicated sentences, enrich our vocabulary, and improve our grammar. We will also learn verbs and prepositions that will enable us to read and understand some of the liturgy in our prayer books. The class will be Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm, Feb 9-May 10.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Gems of Israeli Literature & Cinema

Adult Education Events

Thur. March 29, 6:00 - 8:45 pm
Location: Community House, Room 803

Taught by Professor Miri Kubovy This series examines the most important social and political issues in Israel today through the lens of Israeli literature Read More...

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Alper Talmud Study

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 30, 8:15 - 9:15 am
Location: Community House, Room 503

The Talmud is the recorded Oral Law in Judaism. Made up of the Mishnah and Gemara, it is an enormous body of legal work both in size and importance. Explore the laws and stories of this central text as we discuss Rabbinic personalities, the development of the Jewish legal system, and the values that continue to guide us as Jews today. Class meets every Friday morning from 8:15 - 9:15 am beginning Jan 6.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Book Group

Adult Education Events

Fri. March 30, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: Community House, Room 602

Reading takes us away from home, but more important it finds homes for us everywhere. Come find a home with other book lovers on Friday mornings at 9:30am in Room 602. Discussions are always interesting, stimulating, and guaranteed to evoke lots of thoughts and feelings. Group leader Patti Sayre, LCSW and parenting center facilitator is less interested in whether or not you have read the book than in your participation in each week’s lively discussion.

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Fri. March 30, 6:00 pm
Location: Main Sanctuary

Torah Study

Adult Education Events

Sat. March 31, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Location: Community House, Room 502

Led by Rabbi Hiat

This class explores the Torah portion that is read on Shabbat for that week.  Students are encouraged to share their insight and opinion during each class as we mine our tradition and investigate life’s deepest questions. The class uses the Plaut Modern Commentary on the Torah and many other texts and commentaries to understand the weekly portion from an ancient and modern perspective. No Hebrew knowledge is necessary. As we review a new portion each week, students are welcome to join our class at any time throughout the year. 

Contact: Shari Edwards at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 212-838-5122, ext. 4005

Shabbat Worship

Worship Events

Sat. March 31, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: Main Sanctuary

Tzav, Lev. 6:1-8:36
Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24