Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
SWFS
“I am Adonai your God who brought you out from the land of the Egyptians to be their slaves no more.” But Judaism’s history with slavery is complicated: Abraham was a slave owner before we were enslaved in Egypt for generations. And some American rabbis supported slavery here while others vehemently opposed the practice. Ahead […]
In the Bible, women are often silent, victimized or absent — and daughters seem to be the most deprived. Yet with a careful textual study, we can rethink our understanding of power and powerlessness and begin to understand the true influence these lesser-known characters had on their worlds. Join Rabbi Rena Rifkin as we discover […]
Performed by the Manhattan School of Music Choral Ensemble and conducted by Elliot Roman Swiss-American Jewish composer Ernest Bloch's "Avodath HaKodesh" (sacred service) sets the bar for composers aspiring to elevate the language and flow of a synagogue service to the realm of the concert stage. The hourlong Hebrew oratorio — the first and virtually […]
Spend the afternoon playing maj with friends old and new! All levels welcome — whether you're a pro, need to sharpen your skills, or are just learning to play, there's a table waiting for you! Co-sponsored by Community Connections and the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
One of Poland’s most visible signs of Jewish revival, the JCC Krakow is committed to taking care of Holocaust survivors and rebuilding the Polish Jewish community. And since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, JCC Krakow has taken on an additional mission of supporting Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Join JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein and photographer […]
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
The rabbis created the rituals of Passover with a focus on the Divine, crediting God for the miracles of the Exodus. Ahead of Passover, join Rabbi Rena Rifkin as we examine some of the creative ways we encounter God in our Haggadah.
Join the Stephen Wise community as our clergy lead a musical and engaging second-night community Passover Seder. Come share this cherished night as we recall the Exodus of our ancestors and our own liberation — and enjoy good food and wine, engaging conversation and activities for children! GET TICKETS Registration closes March 17. We sell […]
Join our clergy for this joyous Yom Tov morning service marking the first day of Passover!
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
Out of a 160,000-strong Dutch-Jewish population, 102,000 died in concentration camps. Why did so many Dutch Jews perish, while there were disproportionately more survivors in other Western European countries? And how did that square with famous narratives of Dutch resistance and tolerance? To answer those questions, journalist Nina Siegal mined the diaries of ordinary Dutch […]
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
Share the Shabbat morning service in person or on Zoom in a meditative style with friends and fellow congregants. Cantor Dan Singer will lead this service, which includes music and responsive readings in both Hebrew and English. RSVP TO JOIN VIRTUALLY
Explore classic and contemporary Jewish literature at this monthly group meeting. This month, we're reading "The Vixen" by Francine Prose. RSVP
For more than 20 years, Upper West Side synagogues and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan have honored the victims of the Holocaust with an annual overnight Yom HaShoah Reading of the Names. The reading of names will begin at Anshe Chesed on Monday, April 17, at 10 p.m. and continue overnight until 7 a.m. on […]
In the new documentary "Safer in Silence," the daughter of a World War II refugee searches for the truth of her family’s Polish past. Uncovering her Jewish roots, she is pulled into a complex journey revealing startling revelations that force her to face the patterns of hiding and secrecy that have profoundly affected her life. […]
From the establishment of the state of Israel, through the trial of Adolph Eichmann, to this last generation of survivors, the lens through which Israeli society views the Holocaust has shifted. This Yom HaShoah, join Upper West Side Shlicha Gali Rabin Choresh as we explore these changing perspectives and try to better understand Israelis through […]
Spend the afternoon playing maj with friends old and new! All levels welcome — whether you're a pro, need to sharpen your skills, or are just learning to play, there's a table waiting for you! Co-sponsored by Community Connections and the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
Join Rabbi Samantha Natov for an in-person deep dive into the Shabbat morning service. Investigate the meanings of prayers, where they fall in the morning service and how different musical settings affect the way we understand them. A great intro to Shabbat liturgy and enriching for more experienced worshippers! RSVP
Join our monthly Short Story Group on Zoom, where we discuss Jewish-themed material. This month, we're reading “I Am Asleep But My Heart Is Awake” by Nicole Krauss, “Fitzgerald and the Jews” by Arthur Krystal, “To My Friends” by Primo Levi, and “The Stranger” by J. D. Salinger. Sponsored by Community Connections. For more information […]
Join us to read about the most pressing issues facing the Jewish people today. For this meeting, we will be reading "Second Person Singular" by Sayed Kashua. The book can be purchased online here or from your local bookstore. Dinner is available for order or you may bring your own! RSVP This program is free […]
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
The Consulate General of Israel and Temple Emanu-El invite you to join a Yom HaZikaron — Memorial Day Service honoring the brave soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the state of Israel and victims of terrorist attacks. Doors open at 5 p.m. and close at 6 p.m. Due to security, all guests must register […]
For Americans, Memorial Day likely conjures images of parades, fireworks, sales and barbecues. But when the sirens sound for Israel’s Yom Hazikaron, the entire country literally stands still. It’s a metaphorical yahrzeit that every single person commemorates together, all at once. And then in a beautiful transition, the solemn day of grieving flows right into Yom […]
Come hear the classical music of Brahms, Chopin and Schubert performed by Juilliard student pianists, Yuval Hen, Adam Jackson and Bo Zhang. You don't want to miss this enriching musical performance! This event will take place in the sanctuary immediately after our Yom Hazikaron Lunch and Learn program.
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is proud to co-sponsor the New York premiere of "A Small Light," a drama miniseries based on the inspiring true story of Miep Gies, the woman who risked her life to hide Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis during WWII. Join us in-person or virtually to watch the first […]
Join Rabbis Ammiel Hirsch and Rena Rifkin and your fellow Stephen Wise members next spring to experience the Jewish homeland in a whole new way! Our Israel missions are an amazing opportunity for travelers ages eight to 80 to experience the wonder, history, and beauty of Israel from the Upper Galilee to the Dead Sea! […]
Did you miss out on the gift of a Jewish education? Or maybe you’re curious about Judaism, but too embarrassed to ask… Luckily, Judaism encourages us to be bold and ask questions! “A shy person can never learn,” our tradition tells us. Join our Rabbi Dalia Samansky to expand your Jewish knowledge and explore Judaism’s […]
Spend the afternoon playing maj with friends old and new! All levels welcome — whether you're a pro, need to sharpen your skills, or are just learning to play, there's a table waiting for you! Co-sponsored by Community Connections and the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
Join the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue for a docent-led tour of "One Nation" and "Tzedek Boxes," two new exhibitions at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion's Dr. Bernard Heller Museum! REGISTER Admission is free! Please register by April 25. The venue requires all visitors to furnish photo ID and proof of vaccination […]
Join us for an Israeli wine tasting hosted by Billy Key (Royal Wines). Wines to be poured include: Bartenura Sparkling Moscato, Kosher Tura Mountain Vista Heartland Red Blend. Kosher Barkan Reserve Dry Chardonnay, Kosher Barkan Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon, Kosher FREE ADMISSION | ENJOY 10% OFF WINES TASTED
Why are there so many stray cats in Tel Aviv? Do citizens of the Jewish state go to the polls every Tuesday, or what? And how did Israelis get to be so darn Israeli? Join us for a night of comedy celebrating Israel's 75th birthday as Anglo-Israeli comedians Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt answer these […]
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
Join Rabbi Samantha Natov for an in-person deep dive into the Shabbat morning service. Investigate the meanings of prayers, where they fall in the morning service and how different musical settings affect the way we understand them. A great intro to Shabbat liturgy and enriching for more experienced worshippers! RSVP
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue invites you to help us give a warm New York welcome to Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai at a special reception! As hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets to protest proposed judicial overhauls, our Rabbi Ammi Hirsch will sit down with Huldai to discuss the latest developments in Israel and Huldai's tenure […]
Spend the afternoon playing maj with friends old and new! All levels welcome — whether you're a pro, need to sharpen your skills, or are just learning to play, there's a table waiting for you! Co-sponsored by Community Connections and the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
Read and discuss the Torah, Tanakh and Talmud. No Hebrew knowledge or prior study is necessary. For any questions, contact David Richter at dhenryrichter@gmail.com. RSVP Zoom meeting information will be automatically provided upon RSVP.
30 West 68th St
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-4050
info@swfs.org
