December 10, 2015

Central Synagogue clergy, staff and LCLJ families lit candles for the fifth night of Chanukah with Imam Dewidar and staff from the Islamic Society of Midtown Manhattan. Central Synagogue staff reached out to the Imam and invited him to join for candle lighting as an expression of unity during a time when public sentiment seems to be turning against the Muslim community. In these dark days, we must join together to light the way to a path of tolerance and peace.

December 2, 2015 | General News | Repairing the World

Deciding between security or refugees, “them” or “us,” obscures the real choice we make in the most challenging of times: will our fear win, or will our humanity? Will we turn inward or will we live our highest values of love for the stranger, knowing the soul of the stranger as intimately as we do? As Jews who know what it means to be turned away from borders, our answer must be yes, let them in.

November 15, 2015 | General News

With pain, horror, and profound disquiet, we have watched the violence in Paris – and its effects – unfold this weekend. Only two weeks ago, I led a Central Synagogue mission to Paris. How devastating it is to see this City of Light enveloped in such darkness.

October 14, 2015 | General News

The Your Voice Matters initiative offered our membership the opportunity to meet with senior clergy, and with each other, to learn how we think about Reform Judaism and Central Synagogue. In a series of intimate gatherings at the homes of fellow congregants, we explored how Central serves as a House of Worship (Beit Tefillah), a House of Study (Beit Midrash) and a House of Gathering (Beit Kinesset). We heard how it serves your needs, the needs of the congregation, and the needs of the larger community.

October 8, 2015 | General News

With your children, generate ideas and family activities that will fulfill these four mitzvot: (1) As a family we can remember Shabbat by... (2) As a family we can observe Shabbat by... (3 & 4) As a family we can honor and delight in Shabbat by...