West End Synagogue - a Reconstructionist Congregation in NYC

L'Dor V'Dor: three generations of West End Rabbis

Current Rabbi Marc Margolius, our next Rabbi Georgette Kennebrae, and former Rabbi Avi Winokur

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Calm Down at WES: Yedid Nefesh ("Companion of the Soul") Kabbalat Shabbat Meditation Service

June 23, 2017 - 6:30pm

Rabbi Marc Margolius leads Yedid Nefesh ("Companion of the Soul"), a contemplative service for Shabbat evening ...

Photo (CC) W.Lead

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HaMinyan Kabbalat Shabbat Service

June 30, 2017 - 8:00pm

HaMinyan is West End's lay-led, often experimental and always interesting service. HaMinyan takes place at 8:00 pm on the fifth Friday of the month, whenever a fifth Friday occurs. (There is no 6:30pm service on those dates.)

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What Matters - new informational meetings: Thurs June 22 and Wed June 28

We invite you to learn more about What Matters and advance care planning by attending a free group information session, held at JCC Manhattan. Topics covered at this session will include: choosing an agent who can speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself, completing or updating an advance directive, and having 'the conversation' with loved ones.

The sessions will be held on:

Thu, Jun 22, 6-7:30 pm
A light supper will be served

Wed, Jun 28, 2-3:30 pm
Light refreshments will be served

Please register for a session online at http://www.jccmanhattan.org/programs/?grp=whatmatters or by emailing whatmatters [at] jccmanhattan.org

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"What Matters: Conversations about the End of Life"

“What Matters: Caring Conversations About End of Life" is a program in which WES is participating to promote facilitated, Jewish values-based conversations about wishes for the end of life.

"What Matters" (whatmattersny.org) is based at the JCC, funded by Plaza Memorial Chapel, and has engaged with several synagogues and communal organizations in New York City over the past 18 months. It is based on an evidence-based Advance Care Planning program that was developed at Gundersen Health Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in order to fill the gap between the legal documentation of advance directives, such as power of attorney for health care, and the emotional and spiritual reality of what it means to make decisions for a loved on.

Rabbi Margolius's talk was the first in a series of WES programs including film discussion group, panel discussion, a book group discussion, and a panel featuring a physician, an attorney, rabbi, and an ethicist.

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"First Friday at 6" Kabbalat Shabbat Service/Potluck Dinner

September 1, 2017 - 6:00pm

First Friday at WES

Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Potluck Dinner
6:00 - 8:00 PM

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Kabbalat Shabbat Unplugged

Hazzan Porzecanski leads "Shabbat Unplugged", an intimate and musically acoustic celebration of Shabbat; the long exhale at the end of the week, on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 pm

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Let's "Sing into Shabbat:" Shirat HaLev service this Friday

August 25, 2017 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Shirat HaLev (“Song of the Heart”)
Third Friday of each month except August 2017 when Shirat HaLev occurs on the 25th

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JFLL: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Jewish Learning for Families

Jewish Family Life and Learning (JFLL)

Our innovative, "whole family" approach to Jewish education, Jewish Family Life and Learning (JFLL), is a major departure from your parents' Hebrew School, and is making a big impression on kids and parents alike.

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Kef Kids: Jewish Fun for Pre K-2d Graders!

Kef Kids - A Creative Approach to Jewish Learning for pre-K through second graders!

A bi-monthly program on Saturday afternoons offering a fun, hands-on Jewish experience. Jewish holidays, values and rituals are taught through visual art, drama, cooking and music. Kids not only learn about Judaism but they LIVE it!