Upcoming Events

Breakfast Program

Location: Pavilion Door

From: Thursdays & Fridays, 6:30-7:30am

Details:

Update: In order to maintain the safety of guests and volunteers during the COVID-19 Crisis, the Breakfast Program is currently operating on a “grab-and-go” basis; guests receive a “to-go” bag of food and drink at the Pavilion door.  Staff, security, volunteers, and guests maintain a six-foot distance from one another.  Additionally, if you are interested and comfortable volunteering for the Breakfast Program during this time, please contact the email below.

The Breakfast Program, formerly known as the Caring Committee Feeding Program, is among Central Synagogue’s longest ongoing social justice projects. Originally conceived and implemented by longtime congregant Nat Shapiro in 1983, the Breakfast Program was started in response to Mayor Koch’s outcry for New York City’s religious institutions to respond to an exploding homeless and hungry problem. Today, many clients of the Breakfast Program are working poor who greatly appreciate and regularly rely on the warm, nutritious start to their day. Volunteers assemble every Thursday and Friday morning in Lese Lobby (Community House) to prepare and serve the most important meal of the day. A bag lunch is also handed out to clients. These lunches are prepared the prior evening as part of Central Synagogue’s Sandwich Making Program. Volunteers must be in the 6th grade or older; those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sign up is required in advance to volunteer. For more information or to sign up, contact breakfast@censyn.org.

English in Action

Location: Community House

From: Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm

Details:

If you are interested in learning more, please email Carolyn Roesler at roelserc@censyn.org or (212) 838-5122 Ext. 3043 and she’ll put you in touch with the program’s lay leaders. English in Action is not currently accepting new volunteers, but they are always happy to talk to people about the program and add to their list of prospective volunteers.

Soulful Thursdays at Central

Location: Community House

From: Thursdays, January 24 - June 27, 12:00 pm

Details:

Beginning in January, we will be offering a weekly series of drop-in programs on mindfulness, healing, and rejuvenation to help you restore, replenish, and reconnect. These programs are open to all.

Healing Service
First Thursday of the Month: Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, Jun. 6
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman and Rory Michelle Sullivan
A sacred space to process our fears and struggles. Through prayer, meditation, sharing, and singing, we will find healing, strength, and hope in one another.

Mindful Movement and Meditation
Second Thursday of the Month: Feb. 14, Mar. 14, Apr. 11, May 9
Led by Cantor Julia Cadrain
A rare time-out. A place to exhale, stretch, and meditate before we rejoin the fray and frenzy of our typical routines. No special clothing, background, or equipment is required.

Caregiver Café
Third Thursday of the Month: Feb. 21, Mar. 21, Apr. 18, May 16, Jun. 20
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman and Social Worker Jackie Pykon
Caring for a sick loved one can be fraught, confusing, exhausting, and difficult. Offering support both practically and emotionally, the first half-hour will feature a visiting expert, followed by a facilitated sharing session.

Joy is Central
Fourth Thursday of the Month: Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 28, Apr. 25, May 23, Jun. 27
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman
Inspired by Rabbi Buchdahl’s Yom Kippur sermon reflecting on the Torah’s commandment to be joyful, this class will focus on a different practice each month—gratitude, mindfulness, relationships, and more.

Soulful Thursdays at Central: Healing Service

Location: Community House

From: First Thursday of the Month

Details:

Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman and Rory Michelle Sullivan

A sacred space to process our fears and struggles. Through prayer, meditation, sharing, and singing, we will find healing, strength, and hope in one another.