Ansche Chesed

06/05/2026

This week, a great conversation about two fascinating texts in this amazing parasha. The Pesach Sheni or "make-up Passover," when you get a chance to do it if you missed on the first go. And the sounding of trumpets: two silver trumpets - for war, for assembly, for setting up and breaking up camp or for celebration. There is a lot going on in the world of sound. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

This is a great conversation about two fascinating texts in this am...

06/03/2026

Join us this Shabbat to celebrate Pride Month! We will be joined by Rabbi Mikie Goldstein, director of resource development for the Masorti movement (and an AC member during his NY days), to reflect on issues facing LGBTQ Jews. Learn more: https://anschechesed.shulcloud.com/form/pride-shabbat-2026.html

Sign up for dinner on Friday night to hear Rabbi Goldstein share about his personal journey from his Orthodox youth in Liverpool to his life as a Gay Masorti rabbi in Israel.

On Saturday morning, Rabbi Goldstein will speak about the institutional challenges and opportunities for Gay-affirming religious life in the Jewish state.

05/29/2026

In this week's Parsha Talk we discuss Parashat Naso, including some interpretation of the Priestly Blessing. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

Our discussion of Parashat Naso. Including some interpretation of t...

05/29/2026

Thinking about joining our Hebrew School? Come to our Open House and get a taste of what it’s like! Parents and children invited — activities with ACHS teachers and pizza will be provided.

Learn more: https://tinylink.net/0JABX

05/19/2026

On Sunday, our Shirei Chesed Community Chorus, led by Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn, hosted a beautiful concert reflecting on the centrality of time in our tradition. Whether you missed it live or want to re-listen to your favorite song, you can watch a full recording of the performance here: https://youtu.be/vF5ifDSh42k

A full program of the songs performed is available here:https://anschechesed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Singing-in-Jewish-Time-Program.pdf

We especially thank everyone who donated to the Music Fund, who provided crucial support for this performance. If you would like to support similar programming in the future, please consider a donation to our Music Fund at https://anschechesed.shulcloud.com/payment.php

Immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful Jewish melodies span...

05/18/2026

Join us as we celebrate and show gratitude to Rabbi Yael Hammerman for her twelve years of leadership at Ansche Chesed! Our Tribute event will include programming for friends and families of all ages, with special activities and babysitting for children. We also invite you to add a message to our celebratory journal, sharing your appreciation for all that Rabbi Yael has done for our community.

Purchase tickets and journal ads at https://www.wizevents.com/anschechesedtribute2026

05/15/2026

This week, we explore various facets of this amazing parasha, including, naming and the trade of the Levites for the firstborns. As usual, lots to think about. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

We explore various facets of this amazing parasha. Including, namin...

05/08/2026

Serendipity brings us to a quote from Prof. Neil Gilman, z'l, that chapter 25 of Leviticus in Parashat Behar, "is the most powerful statement of social policy in the Torah." Why? What does it say? What can we learn from it now? All great questions in this amazing Parasha Talk. Enjoy!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

Serendipity brings us to a quote from Prof. Neil Gilman, z'l, that chapter 25 of Leviticus in Parashat Behar, "is the most powerful statement of social poli...

05/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Children’s Book Drive yesterday for PS 145, making it another huge success!

With your help, we were able to provide the school with 1,400 books that students will be able to take home, keep, and enjoy. A special thank you to our 25 volunteers for sorting and bagging books, and to the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan for donating funds to purchase nearly 200 books.

Stay tuned for info on future book drives, and other opportunities to support our ongoing collaboration with our local public school!

05/01/2026

In this week's Parsha Talk, we focus on the second half of the Parasha - the Calendar. What exactly is a MO'ED? What exactly is a MIKRA KODESH? From there we go in many directions - and what are the metaphors for the holidays?

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

Parasha Talk Emor 5786 video

04/30/2026

04/28/2026

Join us this Sunday to hear from longtime member Jane Eisner about her recent book "Carole King: She Made the Earth Move" on the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of the pop icon, exploring her unique contribution to American music.

RSVP at https://anschechesed.shulcloud.com/event/jane-eisner-book-talk

Jane will speak in conversation with AC member and Columbia School of Journalism professor, Sam Freedman. Their conversation will be accompanied by King's iconic music and a Q&A session. Books will be available for purchase and Jane Eisner will be available for a signing afterwards.

04/24/2026

This week, a special Yom Ha'atzmaut episode where we spend some time considering "If you can't live in Israel, then at the very least you can have Israel live in you." (Einat Wilf). And the most important line in Parashat Kedoshim, Love your neighbor as yourself. But it comes with a prologue.

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

8 comments. "Parasha Talk Aharei Mot Kedoshim 5786 video"

04/17/2026

In this week's Parsha Class we discuss the National Days this week, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, as well as the mikvah.

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

Parasha Talk Tazria Metzora 5786 video

04/10/2026

During the weeks between Passover and Shavuot it is a custom to read a chapter of Pirkei Avot, Chapters of the Fathers (Sages) every Shabbat. For something different this week, here is our conversation about Pirkei Avot, with special attention to the first saying.

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

During the weeks between Passover and Shavuot it is a custom to read a chapter of Pirkei Avot, Chapters of the Fathers (Sages) every Shabbat. For something d...

03/27/2026

For this special Pesach episode, each of the Rabbis looks at a different piece of the Haggadah. Listen for some great material to use for your seders!

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

For Passover, each one of us takes a different look at a piece of the Haggadah, or the Haggadah itself. There is great stuff here to use for your seders. Enj...

03/20/2026

A new book, a new perspective. Vayikra marks the transition from the "primitive" state of biblical Israel to a more organized state. Let's acknowledge that there are certain advantages to organizing things, but that it always comes at a cost. And Passover is coming. What are we thinking about this year?

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

A new book, a new perspective. Vayikra marks the transition from the "primitive" state of biblical Israel to a more organized state. Let's acknowledge that t...

03/13/2026

This week, we reach the end of the Book of Shemot with the assembly of the Mishkan and the placement of the Tablets in the Aron. What is the significance of that? And also - Pesach is coming. Hachodesh. There is a connection between Passover and the Mishkan. Find out what that is.

With Rabbis Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Eliot Malomet, and Barry Chesler.

We reach the end of the Book of Shmot with the assembly of the Mishkan and the placement of the Tablets in the Aron. What is the significance of that? And al...

03/11/2026

Join us for an engaging, participatory, intergenerational Seder celebration. Rich in songs in many languages, rooted in tradition, highlighting and weaving together the unique stories and experiences of everyone around the table. No one leaves a stranger!

Register at https://anschechesed.shulcloud.com/event/seder-2026

Our seder is open to AC members and non-members, adults and children of all ages.

03/10/2026

We had a lot of fun celebrating Purim at AC, enjoying an energetic Megillah reading, Disney-themed Spiel, and (as always) many amazing costumes! View the full album for more photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=congregationac&set=a.1346068254218106

Feel free to tag your friends and share the fun!

03/09/2026

Join us this weekend to watch Rabbi on the Block, a documentary film that shows how Rabbi Tamar Manasseh is bringing together Jews of all colors, building bridges that will serve as the foundation for a revitalized alliance of African Americans and Jews while creating a new style of activist Judaism. The film is directed by Ansche Chesed member Brad Rothschild and there will be time for a Q&A after the movie.

Please purchase tickets at https://anschechesed.shulcloud.com/event/rabbi-on-the-block by Thursday, March 12 at 5pm.

03/06/2026

We had a great time at our annual Purim Carnival playing games, making arts and crafts, enjoying the open gym, throwing pie at Rabbi Kalmanofsky (as Haman), and packing Ramadan care packages with handwritten notes for recently arrived refugee families. See all of our photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1342943924530539&type=3

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us – we had so much fun! And a special thank you to all who donated and volunteered, whose efforts were crucial to making it a successful fundraiser!

See you again next year!