Lectures & Courses

With Harman Grossman

Using primary texts, we’ll seek to understand how Jewish mysticism developed. Each class will include discussions that address the timeless mysteries of human existence along with numerous other eternal and universal questions.

Register here.

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and Cantor Daniel Mutlu come together with other Upper East Side clergy and leaders to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and then transition to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Join us for moving personal testimonies, words of inspiration, and songs of remembrance.
In partnership with NYC’S UES Jewish community.

Register here.

This two-part series explores how Israel created sacred space and time in the early years of its independence while also taking a thoughtful look at the upcoming holidays of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. 

Register here.

With Tour Guide Mike Hollander

Explore how Israel created sacred space and time in the early years of independence in this special two-part program led by Central tour guide Mike Hollander.

First Session: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Explore Mount Herzl (Mount of Remembrance) in Jerusalem, a site dedicated to commemorating the Shoah, great Zionist leaders, and the heavy price of Jewish sovereignty. 

Second Session: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Delve into the evolution of three national Israeli holidays—Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut—and the sacred ten-day period which is a cornerstone to understanding the expression of Jewish sovereignty in Israel.

Register here.

Join Integrity First for America Executive Director Amy Spitalnick, civil rights lawyer Robbie Kaplan, and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl as they explore the path of White Supremacy from Charlottesville to the Capitol and beyond, and discuss how we can hold these violent extremists accountable.

Register here.

Taught by Dr. Rachel Rosenthal and others

Explore one of the most radical rabbinic texts in all of Judaism, the Talmud.

Join via Zoom.

Led by Rabbinic & Cantorial HUC Students

Before Angela Buchdahl was a rabbi, she was a rabbinical student; before Dan Mutlu was a cantor, he was a cantorial student. It was in school that both began to develop their voices as Jewish leaders.

This course gives you an opportunity to learn from the next generation of rabbis and cantors, who will be shaping and shepherding Judaism in the future. Each week you will get to learn with a different creative and thoughtful HUC student, who will present their favorite text. Text selections are drawn from Torah, midrash, prayers, and popular music—a diverse and beautiful range of Jewish perspectives. Classes will require no advance preparation.

This class will be offered on Central Synagogue’s Facebook page, at no cost and with no need to register. All are welcome to view the class.

      16 April – Noah Lawrence, Contemporary Song Lyrics

      23 April – Stefanie Green, Musical Theater as Midrash

Watch live on Facebook.

With Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal​
Full of poetry, art, and commentary, and beautiful new translations, this very special Mishkan HaSeder: A Passover Haggadah has just been published by CCAR Press. We join editors, Rabbi Hara Person and poet Jessica Greenbaum to discuss the book’s innovations.

Register here.

With Rabbinic Intern Chelsea Feuchs

Expand your understanding of Biblical women. We will read the stories of several specific characters in order to delve into the various ways women are portrayed in our most sacred text.

Register here.

With Rabbi Sarah Berman

Learn about Jewish culture in Italy, India, the American South, and beyond—all through food. Each week we will make a recipe or two from our destination and expand our knowledge about these unique communities. 

Register here.

With Award-winning Poet Jessica Greenbaum

Take a close look at Central Synagogue’s Friday night service’s collage of psalms and text, distilling their ideas, and pairing them with contemporary poems.

Register here.

The Jewish Bookshelf series welcomes into the Central community a variety of scholars, writers, thinkers, and doers, who share with us the books that have formed their Jewish identities. On April 22, Rabbi Sarah Berman invites you to join her and Rabbi Mark Sameth, the author of The Name: History of the Dual-Gendered Hebrew Name for God. Together they will discuss what Jewish texts and writings have informed their work and life.

About Rabbi Mark Sameth:
Named to The Forward’s list of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis,” featured in Berne and Belchman’s God: 48 Famous and Fascinating Minds Talk about God, Rabbi Mark Sameth’s essays include “Our Father, Who Art Our Mother” (Religion Dispatches) and “Is God Transgender?” (Op-Ed, The New York Times) — links to which may be found on his website.

Register here.