News

On December 10, 2018, James Forman Jr., a Yale Law School professor, explored the complex relationship between race, class, and the American criminal justice system, and discussed and signed his best-selling and Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America. Read more

Central Synagogue is a proud participant in New York City’s Domestic/Family Violence and Faith in Action Weekend. February 9^th-11^th, synagogues, churches, mosques, and temples throughout New York are addressing the subject of domestic and family violence.

As the High Holy Days approach, the Unetanetokef liturgy comes unsettlingly to life…. “Who by fire, who by water.” We will do our part to show up for those who have lost everything.

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#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (November 29), it serves as an opportunity for people to pledge to give their time and resources to their communities.

The obligation and privilege to vote has always been somewhat obvious to my family, my friends, and me. So when Central asked for volunteers to help register voters, I signed up right away. I knew it would feel good to help, but I had no idea that the experience would be transformative.

The condition of their sanctuary left me speechless. I could not comprehend how a congregation just 25 miles away from Central was in such disrepair. Although much of the building that is used for the religious school, Universal Pre-K, and community engagement, has now been reconstructed, at the beginning of the summer their sanctuary still had exposed sheet rock, water stained wood benches, bare cement floors, and a plywood bimah with a folding table and furniture borrowed from other congregations.

We could say we've been here before, but this moment feels especially difficult. We can only lean on the calm wisdom of Dallas' Chief of Police, whose words about the Dallas bloodshed can be applied to every one of these tragedies: “We're hurting….We are heartbroken….All I know is that this must stop.”

The Jewish people have never “stood idly by,” have always found some way to collectively mourn, act, ease others’ suffering, deny victory to those forces of hatred or bigotry. I know each of us will be thoughtfully weighing where our time or resources might help to alleviate the anguish of recent days. But in the meantime, we are a close community who will stay close, lean on each other for comfort, for discussion, and for faith, that there will be a better moment and a week without tragedy.

We enter into the voting booth to participate in one of our most sacred rights, privileges, and yes, even obligations, knowing how blessed we are to live in a country in which individuals are elected through the voice of the people. Your vote is counted. Your voice contributes to the future of our country. With our voice and our vote, we live our Jewish values in the public square. It is a sacred act to exercise our right to vote in this country. As so, you might find it meaningful to add a spiritual dimension by bringing this prayer with you into the voting booth – to set your intentions and elevate this moment for you, for any children you bring with you, and for our country.