Ansche Chesed

This year the Philadelphia Crafts Show, considered one of the very best in the US, is featuring several of the best ceramicists, 10 jewelers and textile artists in Israel. Several of the artists will be on hand, along with Israel’s leading expert on Israeli decorative arts, Aviva Ben Sira. AC member Marge Goldwater, an authority on Israeli art, will lead this trip and a conversation with Aviva and some of the artists. We will be taking the 9:47am train from Penn Station to Philadelphia (although you can drive if you prefer), have lunch in the area, visit the Craft Show and return to New York in the late afternoon. AND, this outing will serve as a preview for the Ansche Chesed community, which will be traveling to Israel from May 19-27. Our community trip will focus on the cultural kaleidoscope of Israel, and we will experience the vibrant face of Israeli culture today and tomorrow. During our week-long visit, we will meet many of Israel's leading artists in film, dance, visual arts and literature, opening our eyes and ears to Israel’s thrilling 21st century cultural ferment. Marge will lead this trip, making great use of her extensive relationships across Israel’s cultural networks.

Judaism is not just rules and values. It is also great literary art. Please join us each month to study some of the most soaring songs of Jewish tradition, from ancient biblical writers to Medieval and modern poets. We'll read the words of King David, Judah HaLevi, Rachel, Amichai and Gouri.

What is my personal Jewish identity? What is our collective Jewish identity? AC high school students are invited to join Rabbi Kalmanofsky and Sam Blustin, Ansche Chesed’s Youth Director, for a bi-weekly class to discuss who we think we are and want to be, amid rising anti-Semitism and changing awareness of racism and privilege in our society. In the first class, we'll look at when apologies go right and wrong, and the "Jewish" way to apologize and take responsibility for our actions.

Inspired by the diversity of Jewish music around the globe, from liturgical settings, Israeli songs, Hassidic niggunim, and new compositions. Ability to carry a tune is important. Free for members; non-members $90 per semester or $180 per year. For more info, please email NHirschhorn@anschechesed.org.

This year we will study material from the first chapters of Bava Batra (in the Artscroll Talmud available at West Side Judaica or online) about the duties that neighbors have regarding each other's property. These sections will have interesting implications for economic competition, environmental safeguards and communal welfare in the modern age.

Inspired by the diversity of Jewish music around the globe, from liturgical settings, Israeli songs, Hassidic niggunim, and new compositions. Ability to carry a tune is important. Free for members; non-members $90 per semester or $180 per year. For more info, please email NHirschhorn@anschechesed.org.

This service delves into the structure and purpose of tefillot (prayers) and parshah (Torah portion). As they watch each other participate, children develop a feeling of community.

Babies and toddlers are exposed to the sights and sounds of Shabbat during this lively service. It is supplemented by fun and engaging songs, stories, and movement.

This service exposes children to a greater number of Shabbat tefillot (prayers) than are presented in the Mishpachah Service. Boys and girls are encouraged to help lead the prayers.