News

This month, 10th graders who are part of this year’s Confirmation Class traveled to Vienna with Cantor Dan Mutlu, Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, and LCLJ staff Merissa Hochberg and Amanda Phillips.

The students learned about the history and presence of Judaism in the region, attending Shabbat services at the local Reform synagogue and touring sites including Mauthausen concentration camp—the last to be liberated during World War II—and the Stadttempel, the only synagogue in the area to survive Kristallnacht.

They also learned about Vienna’s rich classical music tradition at the interactive House of Music museum and attended a chocolate-making workshop.

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On Thursday, February 13, 2020,Central Synagogue launched its newest advocacy campaign: the reinstatement of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for men and women who are incarcerated in New York State. Over 100 members gathered for a night of revelation and storytelling, and learned about ways in which access to higher education in prison has the power to transform lives. Read more

Make your voice heard in Israel. The World Zionist Congress elections have just opened, giving Central members, and all American Jews, our only democratic opportunity to influence Israeli society and support Israel's Reform presence. Voting is open now until March 11, 2020. Read more

We have been horrified by the recent rise of anti-Semitic attacks against Orthodox Jews in Crown Heights, Monsey and elsewhere. Central has shown our support and solidarity through security advice, financial donations and presence at the recent No Hate No Fear rally. We will continue to fight for all Jews against this alarming rise of anti-Semtism coming from many directions, through education, coalition building and advocacy. Read more

Last week, a delegation of more than 20 staff and congregants from Central Synagogue joined with 5,000 fellow Reform Jews at the URJ’s biennial conference in Chicago. Central was well represented at this important event, with Rabbi Auerbach leading several sessions on small groups and adult engagement, Rabbinic Intern Rena Singer leading a session on Millennials, and our own Cantor Dan Mutlu leading an incredibly uplifting and moving service to thousands at Friday night services with Rabbi Jill Maderer. A few of the participants shared some thoughts after attending: Read more

A new CORE group called Let's Elevate Female Founders Together (LEFFT) is looking to bring female entrepreneurs together to discuss, advise, and support each other by sharing ideas and experiences. They hope to not only enhance their businesses, but through our experiences together, they will also help forge new connections and find fresh perspectives. Read more

On Thursday evening November 21st, under the leadership of Central member Miriam Herman, along with Suzanne Maltz, Paul Aronoff, and Rich Ostroff, a group of volunteers had the pleasure of leading Central’s 8th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving dinner at PS 188. This event, the result of an ongoing partnership with the Educational Alliance, is always a special day on our calendar. Read more

Central Synagogue and New York's leading churches and synagogues launched a campaign for their members to monitor courthouses on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. We aim to reduce the number of people sent to jail, advocate for racial justice, and monitor how prosecutors and courts in New York City will implement the pretrial criminal law reform legislation enacted last Spring that will be go into effect on January 1, 2020. Read more

Last weekend, alongside Rabbis Angela Buchdahl, Nicole Auerbach, and Lori Koffman, 70 women came together for a special full-day retreat in the Flatiron district and enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating Shabbat experience. Central member Jane Ginns provides a meaningful reflection on her experience. Read more