The New Shul
We are a progressive synagogue in Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan (downtown New York).SERVICES & EVENTS
272 W 10th St
New York City
(unless otherwise noted)
OFFICE
111 8th Ave, 11th Fl
NY NY 10011
212-284-6773 (phone)
212-284-6806 (fax) info@newshul.org
LEARNING
Adult Programs
Eitz HaDa'at: Tree of Knowledge
The Shabbat Project
A Taste of Judaism: Shabbat Deconstructed
Rabbi's Book Club
Torah Tish
The New Shul Debate Party
Overview
Adult learning programs and courses at The New Shul are generally conducted by Senior Rabbi Goldstein or our Assistant Rabbi Dan Ain (with occasional guest teachers). In our 10th year, we will be placing a special emphasis on Shabbat, the major milestone that Judaism has given us as a gift -- and a challenge -- each and every week. While we study from Jewish texts and grapple with ideas, the methodology and focus of the sessions is far more on dialogue than on formal, frontal presentation. This approach relates directly to our philosophy as a community -- of teaching and learning from each other. As our tradition notes, whenever two or more Jews sit together to learn, God sits among them.
Past classes have included:
- The Path of the Just
- Spirits & Spirituality
- Rosh Chodesh
- Words of Fire: An Exploration of Jewish Mysticism
- The Siddur: Its History and Meaning
- An Introduction to Midrash
- Themes in Modern Jewish Thought
- The Jewish Denominations: A Survey
- Mitzvah in Modern Life
- Words for the Spirit: A Journey into Jewish Poetry
- Hebrew for Adults
This year's season will feature adult education programs taking place in and out of the classroom. Join us for brunch at Cowgirl, for a political debate, for Shabbat at a local bar, and much, much more!
###
The Shabbat Project
In our new, constantly updated world, finding room for Shabbat has become a daunting task. For this reason, we will be spending our 10th year engaging in a year long conversation into one of Judaism's most enduring and enriching contributions to the world -- The Sabbath. Through teachings at a bar (Shabbat on Tap), festive communal gatherings (Shtetl Shabbat), participatory worship (learner's service), and interactive study (Sake Shabbat), we hope that The Shabbat Project will help us, together, to recover and reclaim the power of this ancient yet relevant gift.
###
A Taste of Judaism: Shabbat Deconstructed
Join Rabbi Niles Goldstein as he continues our informal and stimulating exploration of the many and varied facets of the Jewish faith. This season's topic is Shabbat, with a focus on its many rich and powerful practices, traditions, and beliefs. Once a month, we will discuss a different aspect of this ancient and holy day. This series is designed for those interested in more of an overview, nuts-and-bolts approach to the topic. Brunch and conversation follow the teaching and interactive discussion.
Sundays, 10 am-12 noon
| Oct. 19 | What is Shabbat? A survey of its history, development, structure, and meaning. |
| Nov. 16 | Kabbalat Shabbat -- A breakdown of the liturgy |
| Dec. 14 | Shabbat Morning -- A breakdown of the liturgy and Torah service |
| Jan. 11 | Shabbat laws, customs, and traditions |
| Feb. 8 | Torah Portions -- What are they? Why do some get switched around on certain days? |
| Mar. 15 | Rest / Restoration -- What's the difference? |
| Apr. 19 | "A Taste of the World to Come" -- What did the rabbis mean? |
| May 17 | Havdalah / Separation -- Where do we go from here? |
LOCATION: Cowgirl Hall of Fame
519 Hudson St. (at W. 10th St.)
FEE: $30/session members, $35/session non-members. (Cost includes brunch and drinks at Cowgirl.)
###
Rabbi's Book Club
In Pursuit of Shabbat -- A Cathedral in Time
The Sabbath, written by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, is widely considered to be one of the most insightful and poetic works ever written on the Jewish Sabbath and its fundamental meanings. For three weeks, Rabbi Niles Goldstein will lead us on an intensive and interactive journey and discussion through this masterwork of Jewish thought, a book in which Heschel helps us to see the spiritual "architecture" hidden behind this most important of sacred days. Please purchase and read the book before our first session.
Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm
Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19
LOCATION: the office of Susan Berger (contact info@newshul.org for address)
FEE: $18/members, $36/non-members
###
Torah Tish
What were they thinking?! Learn how to view the Torah through the eyes of the great sages. Rabbi Niles Goldstein will guide us in an exploration and discussion of rabbinic and mystical commentaries on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week, which is always linked to Shabbat. No prior knowledge of the Torah is required for these stimulating evenings.
Mondays, 7-8:30 pm
| Oct. 27 | Bereshit (the very first chapters of the Torah, the creation of the world, Adam and Eve) |
| Nov. 10 | Lech Lecha (the call of Abraham to journey forth into the unknown as the world's first Jew) |
LOCATION VCS Cafeteria, 272 West 10th Street
FEE: Free/Pot-Luck. A common tish custom is to drink Schnapps and eat herring. Please bring a drink or nosh to share with the group.
###
The New Shul Debate Party
Hosted by Rabbi Dan Ain, our debate party will take place during the final meeting of the candidates before the election of the 44th President of the United States. Rabbi Dan, a former political reporter, will help cut through the spin and get down to what the core issues are, or should, when choosing between Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Republican Senator John McCain.
Prior to the debate, Rabbi Dan will lead a short discussion on the role of the "Jewish vote," and, hopefully, upend some of the conventional wisdom found on talk shows and in spam email.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 8pm
LOCATION: Jake's Saloon, 202 9th Ave, between 22nd and 23rd St. Cash bar and dinner menu available.