Ansche Chesed
Ansche Chesed | |
---|---|
Byzantine Revival | |
Date established | 1828 (as a congregation) |
Completed | 1928 (current location) |
Construction cost | $1,3 million |
Capacity | 1,600 worshippers |
Ansche Chesed is a
, in the United States.History
The congregation was founded in 1828 by a group of
In 1908, the congregation was part of the movement of
In 1928, the congregation again followed fashion, from Harlem to the even newer Upper West Side of Manhattan, opening its present
The West End building was designed to seat 1,600, have social events for 500, and like its predecessor, has a rooftop garden.[4]
Contemporary overview
Ansche Chesed is an egalitarian, participatory Conservative synagogue.[7] In addition to its historic sanctuary, the congregation has a multi-story building with many classrooms and several event spaces. This makes it possible for multiple activities to take place in the building throughout the week, as well as for several minyanim to meet within the congregation. The minyanim include:
- Sanctuary Service
- Minyan Ma'at
- Minyan Rimonim[8]
- West Side Minyan
Ansche Chesed's Sanctuary Service is the minyan that directly continues the historical congregation of Ansche Chesed; its name derives from the fact that it holds its services in the synagogue's sanctuary. This service follows the traditional Conservative liturgy (including full Torah reading and Haftarah and Musaf service). Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky[9] delivers Divrei Torah (comments and explanations on the weekly Torah portion) several times a month and offers weekly comments on various aspects of the service. Cantor Natasha J. Hirschhorn[10] leads the sung portion of the service, and is also Ansche Chesed's music director. Lay members of the congregation also participate actively in all facets of the service.
Ansche Chesed runs a Hebrew School, with classes that begin in pre-school and continue through the teen years.[11] The synagogue also runs an array of other educational initiatives, focused on adult learning, literature, and family programs. A Social Action Committee oversees a series of community outreach and support programs, including the hosting of a homeless shelter, local park clean-up activities, and programs focused on topics such as the environment. Ansche Chesed hosts several unaffiliated nursery schools, including Purple Circle, Morningside Montessori, Yaldaynu Preschool, and Discovery Programs.
Ansche Chesed also houses The Havurah School, serving students from kindergarten through 7th grade. It is an independent, self-supporting school that has been at Ansche Chesed for over 20 years. At the Havurah School, students learn a wide variety of Jewish subjects primarily through the arts. Biblical improvisation, painting and drawing, work in clay, movement, creative writing, debate and music are some of the techniques used to experientially understand the Torah, the holidays, and the great themes of Jewish life, tradition, and philosophy.[12]
Rabbinical leaders
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024) |
The following individuals have served as rabbi of Ansche Chesed congregation:
- Max Lilienthal (1815-1882) honorary rabbi from 1852 to 1857
- J. Bondi 1859-1860
- J. Mielziner 1868
- J. Kohn 1911-1931
...
- Michael Strassfeld .-2001
- Jeremy Kalmanofsky 2001–present
References
- ^ a b "Ansche Chesed History". Ansche Chesed. 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012.
- ^ Grinstein, Henry (1945). The Rise of the Jewish Community of New York, 1654–1860. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America.[page needed]
- ^ "Dedication of a New Synagogue". The New York Times. New York. 1874-03-08. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Congregation Ansche Chesed - New York City". www.nycago.org. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ^ Wischnitzer, Rachel (1955). Synagogue Architecture in the United States: History and Interpretation. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. p. 123.
- ^ "About Us".
- ^ "AC History". anschechesed.org. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
- ^ "Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky – Bio".
- ^ "Hazzan Natasha J. Hirshhorn – Bio".
- ^ "Learning at Ansche Chesed". Archived from the original on 2010-05-10.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20150925090908/http://www.anschechesed.org/web/guest/havurah-school
External links
- Official website
- Google Maps view of the 114th Street location, showing luchos and cornerstone