Lectures & Courses

As part of The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival, the JCC’s Film Center will be screening a film highlighting Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, as he advocates on behalf of the condemned, and seeks to eradicate racial discrimination. Following the film will be a Q&A with Rabbi Nicole Auerbach, and the Reverend Al Cockfield, Executive Pastor at God’s Battalion of Prayer Church, moderated by Rabbi Joy Levitt, Executive Director, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.

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Led by Central’s Rabbinic Intern Sarah Berman
Join us as we continue our journey through the Torah, reading a chapter a week. We will pick up where we left off with the Book of Kings, but participation is encouraged at any time.

Taught by Jewish Educator Michal Nachmany

Would you like to better read and understand Hebrew used during Shabbat or the High Holy Days? In this class, we will go over basic prayers and develop an understanding of key words in liturgy.  Members: $150; Non-Members: $175

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Led by Central’s Rabbi Mo Salth

This class explores the weekly Torah portion from ancient and modern perspectives.

Join anytime! No registration required.

Led by Cantor Suzanne Skloot

Explore the text of Samuel I and II. Together we will look at and compare the translations of the Jewish Publication Society and the more recent translation by UC Berkeley professor Robert Alter, and learn why Alter believes that the character of David is the finest portrayal of a human life from antiquity. Our discussions will work to understand the agendas of the original authors and their subsequent editors.

Join anytime! No regiration required.

Taught by Jewish Educator Joe Septimus

Together we will examine what it means to live in “Jewish time.” Using ancient, medieval, and modern texts we will explore the transformative power of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays, and why the rituals of the past still have meaning and importance in today’s world. Members: $150; Non-members: $175

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Led by Jewish Educator Dr. Rachel Rosenthal

Explore one of the most radical rabbinic texts in all of Judaism, the Talmud. This year, we will be examining what it means to be a responsible person in a larger society.

Join anytime! No registration required.

Taught by Central’s Rabbinic Intern Sarah Berman

In our long history, Jews have always shaped and been shaped by the places we have lived. Jews in New York City are no diff erent, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries. Over this five-week course, we will explore modern Jewish history through the stories of the people and places that defined them. The first class will meet at Central Synagogue; each subsequent class will take place elsewhere in the city. Together, we will explore museums, synagogues, and other historic buildings as we learn about the Jews of our city. Members: $150; Non-Members: $175

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This class is for anyone hoping to improve their basic conversational Hebrew. Learn practical words and phrases and make your Hebrew sababa!

Members: $150; Non-members: $175

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Join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl for a discussion with the one and only Dr. Ruth Westheimer. As her 92nd birthday approaches, Dr. Ruth will reflect on her past as a survivor of the Holocaust, and the career path that led her to become America’s most famous—and favorite—sex therapist. Together we will view portions of the recently released film “Ask Dr. Ruth” and then open up the floor for a Q&A session. A short wine and cheese reception will follow the program.

Registration required. Open to all; Cost: Free

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Taught by Filmmaker and Animator Hanan Harchol

Hanan Harchol, the creator of the popular animated series for adults and teens “Jewish Food For Thought,” uses his acclaimed animations to explore Jewish wisdom and fuel lively conversation. This program will focus on faith and how it can be applied to our daily lives and relationships. He will also discuss his creative process and the journey that led him to begin making animations about Jewish ethical wisdom.

Members: $15; Non-Members: $18

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Taught by Central’s Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Peter Rubinstein

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

February 19 - The Inquisition and the Jews

March 18 - An Early History of Jews and Finance

April 29 - Financial Inequality

Members: Free; Non-Members: $15

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Taught by Rabbi Hilly Haber

In an age of radical polarization in modern society, with a rise in religious fundamentalism on the one hand and a rise of atheism on the other, how does Jewish tradition approach dilemmas of faith? Based on classical Jewish tradition and contemporary Jewish thought and life, Rabbi Haber will address the big questions raised by the intersection of faith and reason, faith and history, and faith and politics.

Members: $150; Non-Members: $175

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Taught by Central’s Rabbinic Intern Sarah Berman

Join Rabbinic Intern Sarah Berman at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore texts and objects that illustrate the lives of Jews from antiquity to modernity. With her 10-year background in art and curation, she will demonstrate how these historical artifacts can bring Jewish history to life. The first class will be held at Central and the next five in the series will be at the Met.

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Led by Elad Kabilio (cello), Inbar Goldmann (mezzo soprano), and Avigail Malachi-Baev (clarinet)

Don’t miss this multisensory virtual visit to ten historic synagogues around the world, performed by an Israeli classical music trio. In this multimedia presentation, you will be treated to live musical performances, authentic to each era and civilization, while viewing the unique architectural features and artistic design of these structures central to Jewish life.

Members: $15; Non-members: $18

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In the spirit of “welcoming the stranger,” we invite you to join our community for a special Shabbat dinner catered and hosted by training chefs from the organization Emma’s Torch, which provides refugees with culinary training, ESL classes, and job interview preparation. During the dinner we will not only eat a delicious Shabbat meal together, but we will also hear from alumni of the program and other speakers about important issues relating to refugees in the United States.

Adults: $25; Children under 18: Free

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Led by Dr. Annie Polland, Executive Director at the American Jewish Historical Society

Join historian Annie Polland on a journey through the adventurous and multifaceted life of Emma Lazarus. Best known for writing “The New Colossus” in 1883, the poem quoted on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, Lazarus was also the author of poetry, prose, and translations, and a well known activist for Jewish causes. Polland will share rare photos, letters, and other primary sources to illustrate the story of this iconic Jewish New Yorker.

Members: $15; Non-members:$18

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Taught by Award-Winning Poet Jessica Greenbaum

Come learn and find community during the Omer —a traditional time of self-reflection between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. Led by award-winning poet and beloved Central teacher Jessica Greenbaum, this class will look at the traditional practice of reflecting on divine and personal attributes such as loving kindness, humility, and goodness, and will explore those attributes through contemporary texts and poetry.

Members: $150; Non-Members: $175

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Join Judy Glickman Lauder at an opening reception for her exhibition of photographs from her book “Beyond the Shadows: The Holocaust and the Danish Exception.” In this exhibition, Lauder captures the devastation of Nazi death camps in a series of dark and haunting photos, and then, in contrast, presents uplifting portraits of Danish citizens who risked everything to save Jewish lives. The photo exhibition will remain in the Pavilion through the end of May. The reception will begin immediately after our annual interfaith Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) service, which begins at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary.

Open to all; Cost: Free