Ansche Chesed

09/08/2026

It is sometimes said that, in addition to the usual five senses, the sixth Jewish sense is memory. In the last of our three-part series, AC members Todd Chanko, Rachel Mann, Stuart Klawans and Benjamin Joffe join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky to discuss this theme, and how it can resonate for us both as individuals and as members of the Jewish people. What is it that memory does for us, and how does it shape our identity? What must we continue to remember, and what might it be time to forget? As we approach Rosh HaShanah, also called Yom HaZikaron (“the Day of Memory”), these questions loom larger than at any other time in the Jewish year.

Listen to our earlier conversations and learn more about the High Holidays at AC at https://anschechesed.org/high-holidays-5787/

It is sometimes said that, in addition to the usual five senses, th...

09/04/2026

Don't miss the last Parasha Talk of 5786. Shana Tova to all of our viewers and listeners! This conversation covers Teshuva in Nitzavim and the public and private charges to Joshua in Vayelekh. Lots of good material. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet and Barry Chesler.

Last Parasha Talk of 5786. Shanah Tova to all of our viewers and li...

09/01/2026

In the second of our Elul podcast-style conversations, AC Rabbinic Intern Harry Aaronson and AC members Lauren Wein, Liz Emens, Alexis Offen, and Burt Visotzky join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky to discuss hope and how it can help us orient around the renewal of the new year. We begin with Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s response to unimaginable despair, the Oct. 7 abduction and later murder of her son, Hersh: “Hope is mandatory.” How can we hang onto hope, and to what degree is hope a practice rather than an emotion? How does hope differ from optimism? And, in a world that does not always inspire hope, how can we respond to despair?

In our second conversation, AC Rabbinic Intern Harry Aaronson and A...

08/28/2026

It's not too late to join the AC Hebrew School! We would love to welcome your family into our community.

Learn more at https://anschechesed.org/learning/ac-hebrew-school-kids/

08/28/2026

After a little shmooze about music and the High Holidays, we get right into the First Fruits Declaration. Who is "my father"? What is it really trying to say? What does it mean that "God heard"?

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet and Barry Chesler.

We have a little shmooze about music and the High Holidays and then...

08/25/2026

With Elul this year falling mostly at the end of summer, when many are away, we are offering a virtual option for our usual programming exploring different spiritual and emotional approaches to the "awesome days" of 5787.

In the first of three podcast-style conversations, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky is joined by Judy Katz, Debbie Greenberg, and Joe Alban to discuss the awe and terror of the liturgical poem Unetaneh Tokef. What are our spiritual reactions to focusing on the certainty of human mortality? How do "teshuva, tefillah and tzedakah," repentance, prayer and charity ease the bitterness of being mortal?

In the first of our Elul podcast-style conversations to prepare for...

08/21/2026

This is a complicated parasha. So many laws. So many rules. It's overwhelming. What are some strategies in reading it and studying it? That's what we talk about on this week's Parasha Talk. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet and Barry Chesler.

This is a complicated parasha. So many laws. So many rules. It's ov...

08/07/2026

This Parasha mentions the commandment to rejoice 6 times. What's that about? Give a look or listen. Shabbat Shalom!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet and Barry Chesler.

This Parasha mentions the commandment to rejoice 6 times. What's th...

08/03/2026

Tonight at 7pm: Join us for the final session of Scribblers this summer! Author Zeeva Bukai will discuss her novel "The Anatomy of Exile" moderated by Sheila Kaufman-Lewis, concluding 7 weeks of enriching literary conversation.

Learn more at https://anschechesed.org/scribblers/

07/31/2026

Don’t miss this summer's final session of Scribblers on the Roof on Monday evening! Author Zeeva Bukai will discuss her novel “The Anatomy of Exile” in conversation with Sheila Kaufman-Lewis.

We’ve had a summer full of engaging, thoughtful conversations with a variety of renowned authors, gathering to discuss novels, memoirs and poetry. Enjoy pictures of the last few weeks below! More available in the full album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=congregationac&set=a.1431657098992554

Learn more about the Scribblers program and our amazing lineup of authors at https://anschechesed.org/scribblers/

07/31/2026