News : Central Synagogue

Joy is Central

We Pray for Peace in Jerusalem

Posted May 13, 2021

My heart is in the East and I am at the end of the West.” These words of the 12th Century poet Rabbi Yehuda Halevi capture the feeling of distance and despair I feel in this moment of devastating violence in Israel this week.

Reflections from Shani Ben Or Regarding The Outbreak of Violence in Israel

Posted May 13, 2021

Every week, I lead a women’s circle of Palestinian and Jewish students at Hebrew University, where we come together to explore the unique dimensions of our identities as women.

An Important Message from Central Synagogue

Posted April 27, 2021

We are writing to you today as your Senior Rabbi, Executive Director, and congregational President from a place of communal sadness, anger, shame, and Teshuvah.

A New Chapter for Cantor Julia Cadrain

Posted March 22, 2021

We read in the book of Deuteronomy, "Blessed shall you be in your comings and blessed shall you be in your goings." In that spirit, we wanted to share with you the bittersweet news that Cantor Julia Cadrain has accepted a new position as Senior Cantor of Temple Israel in Westport CT, starting July 1. While we are overjoyed and excited for her and her family as they embark on this new journey (and with a former Central Synagogue rabbi, Michael Friedman, as their Senior Rabbi and Julia’s new colleague), we are also saddened that she will be leaving our Central family and we will very much miss her presence on the bimah. Read more

The Holiness Code: Torah Reflections from Central Members (5781/2020)

Posted September 29, 2020

On Yom Kippur afternoon we read a section of the Torah known as the holiness code. This section, found in chapter 19 of Leviticus, is at the heart of the Torah and contains some of the most moving commandments within our tradition. We asked a few of our members to reflect upon one of these commandments. They did so in front of our community just after we chanted from the Torah. We are grateful for their personal and moving insights which are shared below:

An Interfaith Message

Posted June 8, 2020

An Interfaith Message from the Clergy of Central Synagogue, the Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan, and Saint Peter’s Church

As leaders within three different houses of worship in New York City, we come together at this time united in purpose and hope. Read more

The Holiness Code: Torah Reflections from Central Members (2019)

Posted October 17, 2019

On Yom Kippur afternoon we read a section of the Torah known as the holiness code. This section, found in chapter 19 of Leviticus, is at the heart of the Torah and contains some of the most moving commandments within our tradition. We asked a few of our members to reflect upon one of these commandments. They did so in front of our community just after we chanted from the Torah. We are grateful for their personal and moving insights which are shared below:

Rabbi Hilly Haber Moderates Panel of Social Justice Advocates on Yom Kippur

Posted October 10, 2019

On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Hilly Haber moderated a panel discussion between Terrance Coffie, Topeka K. Sam, and Kempis “Ghani” Songster whose lives have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system, and who have dedicated themselves to creating social and political change in America. Read more

FAQ - 2019/5780 High Holy Days Service Schedule Updates

Posted March 6, 2019

Our congregation came together for a congregational town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 6:00 pm in our Main Sanctuary. At this gathering, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl shared findings from our recently completed High Holy Days Experience Survey, and discussed some of the changes that are being proposed, including improvements to our High Holy Days service schedule. We hope to be able to answer some preliminary questions with this FAQ.