WEEKLY NEWS

TeleTefila Havdallah: Saturday, 6:39pm on Zoom

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Mazel Tov to Kaya Mendelsohn on her Bat Mitzvah this Shabbat.

Join us immediately after services for a potluck kiddush. We’ll provide a warm chickpea/vegetable stew and rice, you bring salads (green, vegetable, grain or bean), side dishes or dessert. Please consult AC’s kashrut policy.

Thank you to Bena Medjuck-Bruckner, Gustavo Bruckner, and Bena's mother, Hedda Medjuck, for sponsoring our main dish in memory of Bena’s father, Franklyn Medjuck, and in honor of their daughter and granddaughter Sivan’s 11th birthday.

Give Mishloach Manot Today!

Every Purim, we assemble a bag of goodies for every member household. Contributing toward Mishloach Manot bags is a great way to celebrate Purim and brighten a friend's day, while also raising vital funds for the shul. Here's how it works: send Mishloach Manot to specific friends for $9/bag, or to the entire membership for $450.

The DEADLINE is Monday, March 18. To participate, log into your Shul account and go to AnscheChesed.org/MishloachManot.

You can pick up your bags on Erev Purim (Saturday night, March 23) and during the day on Purim (Sunday, March 24). Contact the office with any questions.

Join us to help pack Mishloach Manot bags on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:30pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel.

Click here to see who has already signed up to participate!

Shloshim Service for Rabbi Jules Harlow

Thursday, March 14 at 7pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

Shloshim will be observed for our beloved Rabbi Jules Harlow z"l next Thursday evening at Ansche Chesed. Following the Maariv service there will be a brief learning session conducted by Rabbi Kalmanofsky and Ziv Pauli Harlow Siegel, followed by a light collation.

6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat for Daylight Saving Time Begins Next Week (March 15)

Please note that starting next week (Friday, March 15), Kabbalat Shabbat services will switch from the current 5:30pm start time to instead start at 6:30pm (the first Shabbat after we switch our clocks to Daylight Saving Time on March 10).

We're Hiring -- Help Spread the Word!

AC is looking for a full-time Administrative Associate to join our team as of April 1st. This is a newly added position, to help alleviate the workload of our wonderful office staff. This person will help support the Tribute, help with membership communication, and help support the other team members. It could be a great position for a recent college grad, or anyone else looking to work in the Jewish community.

You can see the full job posting online. Feel free to share it with your friends, families and networks. Referrals very welcome!

Intergenerational Mitzvah Knitting Group

Sunday, March 10 from 10 - 11:30am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel

Knitters needed! Experienced and new knitters of all ages welcome: bubbies, bring your grandkids; kids - bring your parents. 

Consider doubling your mitzvah by sticking around for the Blood Drive, info below.

Blood Drive with NY Blood Center at AC

Sunday, March 10 from 10am - 4pm in 5 North

Donate blood with the New York Blood Center -- make your appointment online. Walk-ins also welcome if space permits. Remember to eat, drink and bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo.

Consider doubling your mitzvah by joining our Mitzvah Knitting Group, info above.

Interfaith Iftar Dinner and Maktoub/Katuv: An Exploration of Arabic and Hebrew Calligraphy

Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 - 8:45pm in 5 North

Limited spaces available, Register here -- $25/person

Join AC and our Muslim partners from Peace Islands Institute for an Interfaith Iftar Dinner (Ramadan break fast), as well as an exploration into the rich visual worlds of Arabic and Hebrew calligraphy, discovering the parallels between both languages. Educator, community builder, and artist Ruben Shimonov will also take us on a journey of his own multilingual calligraphy and how he has used his art to build Muslim-Jewish interfaith bridges. Participants will then have the opportunity to engage with these two languages through a hands-on calligraphy workshop. No background in Arabic or Hebrew calligraphy necessary. Learn More and Register

Tuesday, April 9, at 7pm

Come for a glorious evening of spirited vocal performance, presenting classics from Sondheim and Bernstein right up to brand-new compositions. We will be honoring our beloved Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn on the occasion of her 20th anniversary with Ansche Chesed.

Featuring her friends and guest Cantors-Composers Gerald Cohen, Benjie Ellen Schiller and Isaac Sonett-Assor, with the Shirei Chesed Community Choir and internationally acclaimed pianist Alexandra Joan.

Champagne reception and treats to follow! 

If you are looking for ways to help or resources addressing the ongoing conflict, check the Israel page on our website.

150 Days in Hell:

Bring Them Home Now

Friday, March 8 at 9am at 220 East 42nd Street and Sunday, March 10 at 11am at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (Terrace Dr. Near, West 72nd Street)

Join the Hostages and Missing Families Forum to solemnly mark this harrowing milestone of 150 days.

On Friday for International Women's Day, they will meet in front of the office of UN Women’s Executive Director, Sima Bahous (220 E. 42nd St.) to demand that she use the power of her position to fight for the women who are still held hostage in Gaza.

On Sunday, they will hold a march and rally in Central Park. This event will be honored by the presence of Keren Munder, a released hostage, and a delegation of family members of the hostages. Elected officials, rabbis, partner organizations, and synagogues will also join us in solidarity.

Learn More and RSVP

From Despair to Hope: An Evening with Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green of Standing Together

Thursday, March 21 at 7pm

Join us as we host the New Israel Fund for an important conversation with Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, co-directors of Standing Together (Omdim Beyachad-Naqif Ma'an). Standing Together is an organization predicated upon the centrality of Arab-Jewish partnership, and is an essential voice during this difficult time in Israeli history. They will share personal stories about the work they have done and the support system they have created through their thousands of members–volunteers working to maintain a group of Jews and Arabs who are devoted to creating a society capable of achieving peace, equality, and social justice for all. RSVP and learn more

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Sally Abed is a staff member and an elected national leader at Standing Together. In recent years, she has become a prominent progressive Palestinian voice in Israel.

Alon-Lee Green is the national director and a founder of Standing Together. He emerged as a prominent leader of Israel's social protest movement in 2011, and subsequently served as a political adviser in the Knesset.

Take a look at our 2023-2024 Family and Teen Programming Calendar.

Family Beit Midrash and Nosh: 4th and 5th Grade Families

Saturday, March 23 from 10:45am - 12pm in the Multi-Purpose Room

All 4th and 5th graders -- from ACHS, Jewish day schools and beyond -- and their parents are invited to join us to study the weekly parsha. Learn More

Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavuah Class

Saturdays, 9am in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

Come before class at 8:45am for hot coffee and schmoozing! This class is dedicated to Rabbi Jules Harlow, a great teacher of Torah and Jewish liturgy. Click for this week's Source Sheet (updated Friday afternoons). 

Shirei Chesed Community Chorus

Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm in 5 North

Shirei Chesed builds community through a rich repertoire of Jewish music, bringing harmony into a world that needs it more than ever. For more information or to schedule an audition, email Hazzan Hirschhorn.

Wednesday Night Talmud

Wednesdays, 7pm in the Mayer Cavalier Chapel or on Zoom

Join us to study tractate Sanhedrin, chapter 4. This class is best in person -- so please come! Also available via Zoom (ID: 837 8598 8052 | Passcode: chesed)

Parsha Talk

Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky and his buddies, Rabbis Barry Chesler and Eliot Malomet, for their weekly Parsha Talk. Watch the latest episode

Spring/Summer Children's Clothing Drive with the JCC

Help ensure that new immigrants in District 3 public schools have the clothing they need for the spring and summer seasons. In partnership with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, AC will be collecting new and very gently used children’s clothing in our lobby. We particularly encourage you to bring your donations with you to our Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 17!

We will be collecting the following items in infant, toddler, and children's sizes -- new or gently used, unless otherwise specified:

• Shorts
• Pants (Lightweight Only)
• Short-Sleeve Shirts
• Dresses
• Socks (New only)

• Underwear (New only)
• Pajamas
• Outerwear (Lightweight Only)
• Shoes

Where to Donate Items the JCC Cannot Accept:

• Adult clothing and winter clothing in any size: Housing Works
• Used undergarments in any size, items that are torn or stained, and other textiles: Wearable Collections and Green Tree Textiles
• Household items, toys, games, stuffed animals, miscellaneous items: Donate NYC

Ansche Chesed Refugee Assistance

ACRA has helped four families rebuild their lives in the US. Learn more about our efforts, or reach out to get involved.