West End Synagogue

Revisiting "The Zionist Idea" in Troubled Times - Dr. David Kaufman (IN PERSON & ON ZOOM)

epundyk — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:10:04 +0000

Revisiting "The Zionist Idea" in Troubled Times - Dr. David Kaufman (IN PERSON & ON ZOOM)

Sat, Apr 25 2026 , 1 - 3:30pm

epundyk Mon, 04/06/2026 - 20:10

A Historical Overview of the Ideology of Zionism

with WES Scholar-in-Residence 2026 - Dr. David Kaufman

The term “Zionism” is often contested nowadays as many flatten it to express one basic idea or another, whereas the history of Zionist ideology (what Arthur Hertzberg called “the Zionist idea”)
is far more diverse and varied. In this Shabbat afternoon lecture Dr. Kaufman will review the larger history of Zionism in all its complexity to enable better understanding of the phenomenon
and thus, it is hoped, help better navigate the current intracommunal tensions between Zionist and anti-Zionist Jews.

Brochure - 3 events: April 22, April 24, April 25

Dr. David Kaufman is an American Jewish historian who has served on the faculties of Hebrew Union College and Hofstra University, and authored two books, Shul with a Pool: The Synagogue-Center in American Jewish History (1999) and Jewhooing the Sixties: American Celebrity and Jewish Identity (2012). Now living on the Upper West Side, David works as an independent scholar and public historian teaching Jewish history and writing primarily on the subject of Jewish New York.

Members, see weekly newsletter or Members' section for Zoom link. Interested others, please contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (office) for Zoom link.

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History and Memory in the Jewish Experience - Dr. David Kaufman (IN PERSON & ON ZOOM)

epundyk — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:04:44 +0000

History and Memory in the Jewish Experience - Dr. David Kaufman (IN PERSON & ON ZOOM)

Fri, Apr 24 2026 , 5:30 - 6:30pm

epundyk Mon, 04/06/2026 - 20:04

with WES Scholar-in-Residence 2026 - Dr. David Kaufman

In 1982, the renowned historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi published what became an instant
classic, Zakhor: Jewish History and Jewish Memory. "History" here refers to Yerushalmi’s own
profession, the modern study of the Jewish past; whereas "memory" refers to the Jewish
tradition of narrating our collective origins in our sacred literature and religious ritual. In his
talk, Dr. Kaufman will further explain the dichotomy between history/memory and why
understanding it is vital to the modern Jew.

Brochure - 3 events: April 22, April 24, April 25

Members, see weekly newsletter or Members' section for Zoom link. Interested others, please contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (office) for Zoom link.

Adult Learning & Programs

Syrian Jewish Paths to Freedom from Aleppo to Brooklyn (ZOOM ONLY)

epundyk — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:46:29 +0000

Syrian Jewish Paths to Freedom from Aleppo to Brooklyn (ZOOM ONLY)

Thu, Feb 12 2026 , 7 - 9pm

epundyk Tue, 01/27/2026 - 21:46

The Sephardic Jewish community in Aleppo, presented by Sarina Roffé, and what happened to the Jews of Syria from 1936 to the aftermath of the creation of the State of Israel. Describes the persecution suffered in Syria, the murder of spy Eli Cohen, limitations on travel, schooling and intense anti-Semitism, and follows their escape and settlement in Brooklyn, with interviews and first-person account.

Sarina Roffé is a career journalist and holds a BA in journalism, an MA in Jewish Studies and an MBA. Sarina speaks often and has written hundreds of articles. She has researched numerous genealogies and is considered an expert in Syrian Jewry. She is a former member of the IAJGS board, co-chair of the Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative, Research Chair of JewishGen, and founder of the Sephardic Heritage Project. She is a member of Brooklyn's Syrian Jewish community.

On Zoom. Members see weekly newsletter, dedicated email or Members side of website for Zoom link.
All others contact the office for Zoom link at admin [at] westendsynagogue.org.

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Ha Minyan - 5th Friday (In Person and on Zoom)

epundyk — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:37:15 +0000

Ha Minyan - 5th Friday (In Person and on Zoom)

Fri, May 29 2026 , 6:30 - 8pm

epundyk Tue, 01/27/2026 - 21:37

May 29th - We're on the Road (Again!) Life is a journey. We leave our homes, just like Abraham, and travel—(and sometimes wander)—in the wilderness like the Israelites. At our lay-led HaMinyan service this month, we will share stories from our personal journeys as we answer two questions:
1) What is a teaching, insight, or moment of wisdom, that you have received on your journey?
2) Whom have you met on your journey who made an indelible impression?
All will be invited to participate, including congregants on Zoom.
Please remember we want to hear from everyone, so our stories and sharings will have to be brief.

About HaMinyan Fifth Friday in months that have one - HaMinyan is a themed Kabbalat Shabbat service conducted by lay leaders within the WES community. Participatory and open to experimentation and variety, HaMinyan services are always unique, often alternative, sometimes examine a theme or explore innovative approaches to ritual.

HaMinyan this month will be in person, in our sanctuary, as well as, interactively, on Zoom.

For Zoom link: members please see weekly newsletter, dedicated email or Members side of website for Zoom link. All others contact the office for Zoom link at admin [at] westendsynagogue.org

For more information about all our Shabbat services, please see https://westendsynagogue.org/shabbat-services.

Shabbat Service

Sunday Torah Study (ZOOM ONLY)

epundyk — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:59:57 +0000

Sunday Torah Study (ZOOM ONLY)

Sun, Nov 30 2025, 11am - Mon, Dec 1 2025, 12:30pm

epundyk Thu, 11/27/2025 - 12:59

Lay-organized Sunday Torah Study: same Zoom link as services, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.

(We won’t be doing the Noon Zoom this Friday, Nov. 28^th, because it follows so closely on Thanksgiving. However,Sunday Torah study will cover the parasha - - so come join us then!)

Ann Shapiro will facilitate on Sunday, Nov. 30^th. This Sunday we’ll be discussing Parashat Vayetsei.

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Shabbat Service (HYBRID)

epundyk — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:08:11 +0000

Shabbat Service (HYBRID)

Sat, Jan 3 2026 , 10am - 12pm

epundyk Thu, 11/27/2025 - 10:08

Please come in person or on Zoom, our services are hybrid today.

Join us first at 9AM for Torah Study and then at 10AM for Saturday Shabbat services, followed of course by kiddush.

Members see weekly newsletter, dedicated email or Members side of website for Zoom link.
All others contact the office for Zoom link at admin [at] westendsynagogue.org.

Kabbalat Shabbat New Year's Weekend (ZOOM ONLY)

epundyk — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:06:37 +0000

Kabbalat Shabbat New Year's Weekend (ZOOM ONLY)

Fri, Jan 2 2026 , 6 - 7:30pm

epundyk Thu, 11/27/2025 - 10:06

This Shabbat, please join us for a ZOOM-ONLY service on Friday at 6.

Members see weekly newsletter, dedicated email or Members side of website for Zoom link.
All others contact the office for Zoom link at admin [at] westendsynagogue.org.

Shimini Atzeret service/Yizkor ZOOM ONLY

epundyk — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:21:42 +0000

Shimini Atzeret service/Yizkor ZOOM ONLY

Tue, Oct 14 2025 , 10am - 12pm

epundyk Mon, 10/13/2025 - 11:21

Holiday Events and Services

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Selected Jewish Short Stories from India and Iran (IN PERSON)

epundyk — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:52:47 +0000

Selected Jewish Short Stories from India and Iran (IN PERSON)

Sat, May 9 2026 , 1 - 2:30pm

epundyk Fri, 09/26/2025 - 19:52

An afternoon of three Jewish short stories from India and from the Iranian-American community in New York City, read aloud by West End congregants, followed by a chance for questions and comments.

Adult Learning & Programs

Jewish Themes in Popular, Classical and Folk Music (IN PERSON)

epundyk — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:47:23 +0000

Jewish Themes in Popular, Classical and Folk Music (IN PERSON)

Sat, Mar 7 2026 , 1 - 2:30pm

epundyk Fri, 09/26/2025 - 19:47

(Following services, in person)

How American Jewish & non-Jewish composers have infused mainstream musical forms and styles with Jewish passion and yearning as well as Jewish musical themes and motifs. The presentation will include audio with the sounds of Jewish chant and the texts of Jewish prayer.

Presented by Robert Cohen, historian of folk and Jewish music.

Adult Learning & Programs