Friday Nights
Saturday Mornings
Holidays
Erev Shabbat in Astoria - 3rd Friday of each month
At Astoria First Presbyterian: 23-35 Broadway (at Crescent St.), Astoria, NY.(Separate entrance on ground floor of an apartment building- don't look for a church-like edifice.)
6:30pm Renewal-inspired service led by Rabbi Goldenberg, our music director Kris Wettstein and our Levite Circle of volunteer singers and musicians.We engage body, mind, heart and spirit, bringing our whole selves into the experience of prayer. We weave spirited chant, prayer and singing with piano and guitar, together with contemplative moments and spend time discussing a theme from the weekly Torah portion. No Hebrew literacy is necessary. All Hebrew is transliterated, and many of our prayers are in English.
Kids are welcome to be in the sanctuary, or when they get "utsy" (restless), they can hang out in the art room with parental supervision. If you are coming with kids, we suggest bringing a snack and a quiet activity.
8:30pm Vegetarian Shabbat Meal, cooked up by Jim Talbott, Rabbi G.'s husband.
We ask for a donation of $12-18 per adult to cover food and rent.
Shabbat Mornings in Jackson Heights - 1st Saturday of each month
At Community United Methodist Church 81-10 35th Avenue in Jackson Heights, NYSubway: E,F, M,R, or 7 to Roosevelt Avenue
Parking: street parking is tough - closest parking garage is 82nd Street between 37th and 35th Aves
SCHEDULE*
9:30-10 Mindfulness Meditation (We close the door at 9:30, so please arrive early to settle in)
10-11 Prayer and Chant
11-12 Torah study
12-1 Kiddush Lunch
*Children of any age are allowed to come in and out with a parent for Prayer/Chant, Torah study, and Lunch. Adults and children age 9+ only for Meditation.
CHILDREN'S LEARNING PROGRAM
This program with Jewish educator Nadya Goldman (Stories and Art) and Music Director Kris Wettstein (Music and Mindfulness) is for kids from ages 3-7. Children are divided into two age groups (3s/4s and 5-7) and will rotate between two sessions. One session utilizes Reggio Emilia-style child-centered learning with stories and art. The other session exposes children to Jewish prayer through singing and mindfulness practice.
9:30-9:45 Arrival and playtime
9:45-10:10 Whole Group Welcome Ritual
10:10-10:50 Rotation I
10:50-11:10 Snack (parents provide at drop-off)
11:10-11:50 Rotation II
11:50-12 Share and sing with the adults, transition to Kiddush and Pot-luck
Holidays
The holidays are a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and creativity. We've collaborated on the High Holidays in Jackson Heights with Kehillat Tikvah, built a Sukkah with a Skyline in LIC's Gantry Park with Queens Jewish Project, Wandering Jews of Astoria, and PJ Library. We've had an indoor Tu B'shvat picnic around a co-created tree sculpture, and #PurimSlam has become an annual event with WJOA and QJP - at local venues such as QED.