News

On Yom Kippur afternoon we read a section of the Torah known as the holiness code. This section, found in chapter 19 of Leviticus, is at the heart of the Torah and contains some of the most moving commandments within our tradition. We asked a few of our members to reflect upon one of these commandments. They did so in front of our community just after we chanted from the Torah. We are grateful for their personal and moving insights which are shared below:

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There are now just under 50 days until the Presidential election. We have a chance to exercise one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and Central in Action wants to make sure your vote counts in these unprecedented times. Our social action group has created a helpful guide that details several voting options (and instructions) for various ways to vote in New York.
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There are approximately 35,000 people under active parole supervision in New York State who at almost any time can see their efforts to successfully rejoin the workforce and reintegrate into their families and their communities disrupted by reincarceration for a technical violation. This not only harms individual lives and families without commensurate public safety gains, but also drives up the population in the state prisons and local jails, wasting taxpayer money. The Less is More: Community Supervision Revocation Reform Act would fix this problem. Read more

An Interfaith Message from the Clergy of Central Synagogue, the Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan, and Saint Peter’s Church

As leaders within three different houses of worship in New York City, we come together at this time united in purpose and hope. Read more

This letter was sent to the congregation on Thursday, June 4, 2020 As Rabbi Buchdahl so beautifully said, "The work of fighting racism cannot be left only to the Black community, just as we know that antisemitism cannot be fought only by Jews. As we look at these recent turbulent days, we have to separate the violence and looting from the call for change echoing across the country. We must hear the groundswell of voices and listen to the pain and protest emanating from every corner of our beloved nation." Our Central community is committed to fighting racism in America and helping to make our city, state, and country more just and equitable for every person. We are stronger when we learn and work together. Below, please find just a few ways we can take action, advocate, and learn together... Read More

This is the first time that you can complete the census online. Just visit: www.2020census.gov. Read more

All New Yorkers can vote by mail in the June 23, 2020 election, per an Executive Order from Governor Cuomo, by requesting an absentee ballot. Voters may complete and return the application to receive their ballot. We encourage you to vote by mail, if you can, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that in-person voting is available to those who truly need it. Read more

Find Rabbi Auerbach's handout for her Coffee With Clergy session for Friday, April 17th. Read more

Our friends at Exodus Transitional Community (ETC) are working hard to provide essential supplies to men and women currently coming out of confinement on Rikers Island and are returning to a very different city than the one they left. Read more