PSJC is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue community defined by our inclusive spirit and our range of opportunities for spiritual renewal, growth and participation. Come visit our beautiful, landmark synagogue at 1320 8th Avenue (the corner of 8th Avenue and 14th Street) in Brooklyn. Want to learn more? Contact us!
What's Doing?
Service Times at PSJC
Join us weekly for Shabbat services, Fridays at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 10am.
Please help us make our minyan and join us every Wednesday at 7:15am. Services over by 8:00am. New!!! online minyan sign up! check it out here
May 11th- Lev Tahor, Friday Evening Service
Please join us on Friday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. for our last Lev Tahor Service with Rabbinic Fellow Aaron Weininger. Connect your heart, mind, and soul as we create a sacred space for prayer through the words of the prayerbook and beautiful melodies, harmonies, and readings. Our service will be enriched by multiple pathways into prayer that help us find meaning, relevance, and calm in our lives and connection with one another. All are welcome to take part in this joyous celebration of Shabbat. Please email Rabbinic Fellow, Aaron Weininger with any questions.
May 12th- Torah Study Group/Parashat Hashavuah
Come take part in a lively Torah study on Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. as we explore Parashat Hashavuah, the weekly Torah reading, with Rabbinic Fellow Aaron Weininger. Non-Hebrew readers and Hebrew readers alike are welcome to contribute their insights and take part in a stimulating discussion over a light breakfast. Come to learn and to thank Aaron for two years of exciting, thought-provoking, warmly provided service to PSJC.
May 19th- On These Things The World Stands: Judaism Just Beyond The Basics
Whether you are new to Judaism or just want to learn more, come deepen your Jewish knowledge on Shabbat Afternoons with Rabbinic Intern Judy Greenberg. This class is being taught for advanced beginners, aiming to fill in holes and to empower you to take hold of your learning. The fourth (and last) session will focus on Gemilut Hasadim (acts of lovingkindness). The class will also include time for general questions and discussion. After Services and Kiddush: 5/19. Free to members. $10 a session for non-members.
May 19th- Get Acquainted Lunch
After Services and Kiddush on Saturday, May 19, head over to the home of Stewart Pravda and Cathy Monblatt for the May Get Acquainted Lunch. It’s a dairy/parve pot luck on Shabbat afternoon; it’s a way to get to know PSJC’ers in a relaxed setting; it’s a monthly chance to keep the Shabbat vibe going all afternoon. If you’re taking Judy’s class, stop by after it’s over.
June 2nd- Jewish Meditation
Join us for this new class with Amy Loewenthal, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, class of 2012. Meditation existed in many ancient cultures, including Judaism. The Torah says that Isaac went out for a meditative walk into the fields before sunset. Jewish mystics practiced meditation six hundred years ago in Tzfat, Israel. In recent years, as Jewish meditation has become popular, many people are enjoying its benefits. We’ll learn about different types of meditation including focused meditation, awareness meditation, chanting meditation, and meditation with movement. We’ll try some short meditations and reflect on them together, and conclude by sharing ideas about developing a meditation (and perhaps journaling) practice. After Services and Kiddush, June 2. Free to members/$10 non-members.
June 3rd- Prospect Park Clean Up
Schmooze, play, nosh, and make the world a better place – all at once, right in Prospect Park! It’s PSJC’s annual Tikkun Olam Prospect Park Clean-Up, June 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Grand Army Plaza entrance. This is for all ages, family-friendly, no skills or tools required. We will work as always with the Prospect Park Alliance, probably cleaning litter and pulling weeds, and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP to the shul office or to Fran Hawthorne.
June 3rd- Israeli Day Parade
Please save the date, June 3rd,to march with us as we join The Brooklyn Congregations Cluster in the Celebrate Israel Parade.
You will need to buy a T-shirt from PSJC for the parade (details on cost to come) as no one can march without a T-shirt. Children are very welcome in the parade but keep in mind that the day is long and no carriages allowed on the parade route. If you are interested in coming with us please contact the PSJC office.
June 5th- 55+ Book Group
To The End of the Land by David Grossman. The incredible saga of Ora, an Israeli mom, who decides to walk the land of Israel without a phone so that “notifiers” can’t find her if her soldier son is killed. Ora meditates on life and love as she walks in this complex work. Brown-Bag(dairy/parve) Lunch and Learn. TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 1:00 – 3:00 PM at PSJC
June 17th- Here’s Looking at Jew: Jewish Influence and Content in Casablanca
The movie Casablanca opened to adoring crowds and critical acclaim 70 years ago. We all remember Humphrey Bogart as Rick telling Sam to play “As Time Goes By” and Ingrid Bergman as Ilse torn between the man she loves and the freedom fighter she’s married to. But how many of us think of it as a Jewish film? As it turns out, pretty much the only non-Jews involved were the big name actors. Danielle Lewis, who enlightened and amused us recently with her talk on crypto-Jews, will tell us all about the Jewish influence in the making of this classic movie. Sunday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. Free to members/$10 non-members. Popcorn, movie clips, and soda included.
June 28th- It’s Time to go to the Ballgame & Support the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund- 7 p.m.
First Come, First Served
We have secured a block of tickets (only 50) for the Brooklyn Cyclones Game on Thursday June 28th at 7PM. Ticket prices are $14 plus a suggested voluntary donation to the PSJC Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. Tickets will be sold on a “First Come, First Served” basis. RSVP by sending your checks to PSJC payable to ”Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund”. Please be sure to note “Cyclones- # of tickets” in the memo section. Once the check has been received your reservation will be made. Ticket includes a free baseball cap!
July 14th- Shabbat Afternoon Book Group- The Cosmopolitans
On July 14, 2012 after kiddush we will discuss The Cosmopolitans by Nadia Kalman (whose boyfriend is the son of PSJC members Joel and Carol Levy). In David Cooper’s review of the book he describes how this “smart, funny, wise, and entertaining debut novel explores the relationships and dynamics of a contemporary Russian-Jewish immigrant family from the former Soviet Union, their acculturation in Stamford, CT, as well as the love lives and courtships of the three daughters.” It is a quick read, and a perfect beach book. BPL does not own a single copy of The Cosmopolitans. NYPL has one non-circulating copy, and Queens Public Library has one circulating copy. PSJCers who already own copies of the book may be willing to lend theirs, but discussion participants are encouraged to purchase their own copies of the book (thus supporting its author). Community Bookstore on Seventh Avenue will sell it at a 10% discount if you mention PSJC.
For those looking ahead it’s not yet clear whether or not we’ll be able to fit in an early September meeting before the High Holidays. For a November discussion we plan to read “The Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer, which is about a Jewish-Hungarian architecture student in Paris in the late 1930s, his forced repatriation on the eve of WWII, and how he survived service in Hungary’s Labor Brigades (Jews were not allowed to serve in the regular military). The book is 600 pp. page turner, and with half a year’s advance notice it is hoped that participants can acquire and read it in time for a November discussion. BPL has many print copies as well as an audio version. Those wishing to purchase a print copy can get the standard PSJC 10% discount at Community Books of Park Slope. Those wishing to purchase the audio version (great for long road trips) can find it at audible.com where it requires two credits.
Highlights
2012-2013 Hebrew School Registration.
Please find here the Hebrew School Registration Contract for 2012-2013 and the Tuition and Fees Invoice in PDF format. **Please note that ALL RETURNING FAMILIES must return completed registration forms by FRIDAY, JUNE 15th or a late fee of $100 will be applied to your tuition
PSJC Joins the Fight against Hunger
We’re continuing PSJC’s “Bring Your Can to Shul” Program. The plan: every time you enter the PSJC building, you bring a can or package of food, and we will arrange to have it delivered to local agencies (e.g. CAMBA, City Harvest, C.H.I.P.S). Non-perishables only, and no glass containers, please.
One Step at a Time – the PSJC Teens Blog!
Find out what our teens are up to. Read about their experiences at school, on trips, helping out at the shul and around the community. Welcome to our conversation! Click here for the blog.
Programs for 55+
PSJC’s programs for active, educated adults 55+ will resume on January 27, 2012. Click here for the Winter-Spring 2012 schedule.
B’Yachad Nivneh – Together We Will Build
The Latest from PSJC’s Capital Campaign! From 2007 to date:
$800,000 raised¦154 member households participated (out of total 280)¦Approximately 20% raised is from outside donors¦Total Goal: $2.15M¦To donate contact Lisa or Annette.
PSJC Strategic Plan – how far we’ve come!
Its been 5 years since PSJC’s last strategic plan, and we’re glad to say we’ve made great progress! Check out the 2006-2011 plan here
PSJC Cooks!
The new cookbook created by the members of our very own community is now available!
Get your copies while they last!
1 for $20 or 2 for $36. They make a great gift!
Contact Elisabeth for more info.
Social Hall & Classroom Rentals @ PSJC
The beautiful, new Social Hall classrooms are complete and available for rentals on some evenings and weekends. Click here for details.
Grow & Behold Foods– OU-Kosher Chicken Delivery
Grow and Behold Foods delivers their exclusive line of OU-Kosher, pasture raised poultry every 2 weeks in Brooklyn. Orders are due by 4:30pm on Sunday before the delivery day.
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