Lectures & Courses

For those who have already taken Hebrew 101, this continuation of that class will help you to further progress in your spoken and reading Hebrew.

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Celebrate our latest installment in our Joy is Central series – Reflection is Central. Jewish tradition teaches that the period of the Omer—the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot – is a time for personal reflection, as we prepare to celebrate receiving the Torah. Join Rabbi Nicole Auerbach to learn more about the tradition of “counting” the Omer, and the tools our ancestors created for examining who we are, and how we live our lives.

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Join artist and educator Michal Nachmany as she discusses the link art creates between past and present, and between viewers. Drawing upon childhood memories growing up in Israel and her years exhibiting in New York and around the world, Nachmany discusses her own artistic journey and experiences bringing communities together to connect over works of art.

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Taught by Rabbi Peter Rubinstein

Feb. 20: The Evolution of the Jewish Calendar: Part I- Are the High Holidays Ever on Time?
Mar. 27: The Evolution of the Jewish Calendar: Part II- What We Learn from the Book of Esther (The Diaspora in the Persian Empire)
Apr. 24: Coming Through the Sea:The Beginning of Jewish History?

Join Rabbi Emeritus Peter Rubinstein and fellow members for engaging and challenging learning sessions on a variety of topics related to Jewish learning.

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Panelists: Dr. Susan Domchek, Basser Center Executive Director and Medical Oncologist; Dr. Kenneth Offit, Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Oncologist; Dr. Nicole Schreiber-Agus, Community Genetics Educator; Erika Stallings, Attorney, BRCA carrier and Patient Advocate; Moderated by journalist Jill Werman Harris

This event is free to the public with registration.

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Taught by Central Clergy

Central’s clergy reflect upon contemporary issues through the lens of Jewish text and tradition. Each evening will begin with dinner, followed by an hour of learning and discussion. Come with your CORE Group or on your own, these discussions are a wonderful way to continue to get to know both the clergy and your fellow members.

Clergy often hear a familiar refrain from community members: “I’m sorry, I’m a bad Jew because I don’t believe in God / don’t know Hebrew / don’t attend services often enough…” the list goes on. On Thurday, April 4, j oin Cantor Cadrain for an evening of study and discussion that explains why we are neither alone in these feelings, nor a “bad Jew.” Together we will study texts that illuminate the myriad and varied ways our tradition provides for being “good Jews.”

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Walk the streets of the Lower East Side – the base of operations to Prohibition-era gangsters Meir Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Arnold Rothstein – as we visualize where these Jewish criminals engaged in their nefarious activities, and discuss the issues of power, ethics, and acculturation that ensued.

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Join us as we are led in conversation by Ilana Kaufman, who will discuss the intersection of U.S. Jewish identity and race, as animated by modern movements for social justice.  Kaufman is Director of the Jews of Color Field Building Initiative, and a nationally regarded thought leader on issues of race and racism in the Jewish community.  Informed by community pain-points such as Jewish communal reactions to the Women’s March and Movement for Black Lives Platform, Kaufman will explore notions of anti-Semitism, community and movement-building, as well as how to effectively partner with groups with whom we disagree—or who disagree with us.

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Beginning in January, we will be offering a weekly series of drop-in programs on mindfulness, healing, and rejuvenation to help you restore, replenish, and reconnect. These programs are open to all.

Healing Service
First Thursday of the Month: Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, Jun. 26
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman and Rory Michelle Sullivan
A sacred space to process our fears and struggles. Through prayer, meditation, sharing, and singing, we will find healing, strength, and hope in one another.

Mindful Movement and Meditation
Second Thursday of the Month: Feb. 14, Mar. 14, Apr. 11, May 9, Jun. 13
Led by Cantor Julia Cadrain
A rare time-out. A place to exhale, stretch, and meditate before we rejoin the fray and frenzy of our typical routines. No special clothing, background, or equipment is required.

Caregiver Café
Third Thursday of the Month: Feb. 21, Mar. 21, Apr. 18, May 16
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman and Social Worker Jackie Pykon
Caring for a sick loved one can be fraught, confusing, exhausting, and difficult. Offering support both practically and emotionally, the first half-hour will feature a visiting expert, followed by a facilitated sharing session.

Joy is Central
Fourth Thursday of the Month: Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 28, Apr. 25, May 23
Led by Rabbi Lori Koffman
Inspired by Rabbi Buchdahl’s Yom Kippur sermon reflecting on the Torah’s commandment to be joyful, this class will focus on a different practice each month—gratitude, mindfulness, relationships, and more.

Brooklyn’s Borough Park is home to many different Chasidic Jews, as well as other types of Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and the area remains a continuously transitional part of New York. Join us as we explore the area and learn more about the past, present, and potential future of this dynamic neighborhood.

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