Programs
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
0 events,
1 event,
Jewish Ecotheology: Learning and Reflecting on Our Relationship to the Natural World
Jewish Ecotheology: Learning and Reflecting on Our Relationship to the Natural World
Tuesdays, February 2, 9 & 16 7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom Rabbi Nathan Martin This class will explore how Jewish texts relate to God and the natural world, and will also give participants an opportunity to reflect on their own eco-theology. Nathan Martin is a GJC member and serves as the Associate Rabbi of Congregation Beth
1 event,
2 events,
Faith in the Ruins: A Rabbi, a Pastor & a Priest Convene a Conversation about America Post 1/6/21
Faith in the Ruins: A Rabbi, a Pastor & a Priest Convene a Conversation about America Post 1/6/21
The clergy of The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Germantown Jewish Centre, and St. Martin's Episcopal will host a conversation about who we are as a country and how we got here. The clergy will offer their observations, and space will be made for conversation and sharing of feelings and perspectives. We may venture into
Financial Racism: Your Money, Your Impact
Financial Racism: Your Money, Your Impact
Adina Abramowitz and Mark Pinsky will present Financial Racism: Your Money, Your Impact on Feb 4, 2021 at 8:00. This is the fourth event in the TOCT series, Facing Systemic Racism. They will discuss many of the ways that our financial system supports systemic racism as well as the people and organizations working to change
1 event,
Kabbalat Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat
This spirited service (currently offered by Zoom, audio livestream, or video livestream) is led by GJC rabbis who lead us in singing the psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat. The spirit of the singing along with the warmth of the community make this a wonderful way to make the transition from the workweek to Shabbat. The Rabbi
2 events,
Charry Service
Charry Service
Rabbi Zeff will be leading a service from the Charry Sanctuary this week with Shabbat prayers and songs. As part of the service, the rabbi will also be teaching a text study. If your Shabbat practice allows, please tune in! PLEASE NOTE: Links to services and events are not posted on the GJC website. Rather,
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
As the daylight dwindles and the weather cools, let us turn inward to the warmth of our community. Each week until mid-March we will mark havdalah as a community. Havdalah is a short ritual that marks the end of Shabbat, our day of rest. Through blessing, song, and story, we will dwell together in the
1 event,
Rabbi Lynnda Targan – “Funny You Don’t Look Like a Rabbi: A Memoir of Unorthodox Transformation”
Rabbi Lynnda Targan – “Funny You Don’t Look Like a Rabbi: A Memoir of Unorthodox Transformation”
Join the Women of GJC SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 at 10 AM to hear Rabbi Lynnda Targan’s inspiring story that finding a true calling and personal power is possible at any age Lynnda Targan was an accomplished professional and happily married mother of two when she found herself missing the nurturing enclave of her grandparents' close-knit,
1 event,
Dancin’ in the Seats with Steve Weintraub
Dancin’ in the Seats with Steve Weintraub
Dancin’ in the Seats is Steve Weintraub's program of dance done while mostly or entirely seated. Dancin’ in the seats is not simply an exercise program but brings an aesthetic dimension to movement. For an hour at a time, participants feel happy to be alive, graceful, and youthful. Being seated allows a large range of
1 event,
People of the Book
People of the Book
GJC’s Jewish book reading group meets monthly, reading and discussing fiction and nonfiction books of Jewish interest written mostly (but not solely) by Jewish writers and chosen by the group. Volunteer group members lead the discussion. For more information and the link to access the Zoom meeting, please contact Nan Myers. February's book is "The
0 events,
1 event,
History Hunters: Looking at Germantown through Many Lenses
History Hunters: Looking at Germantown through Many Lenses
All are invited to join HAZAK for a program led by Ilene Poses, educator at the Philadelphia Art Museum and History Hunters. Ilene will take us on a virtual tour through Germantown to hear first-person stories of people who lived in the historical houses of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. These are stories
1 event,
Kabbalat Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat
This spirited service (currently offered by Zoom, audio livestream, or video livestream) is led by GJC rabbis who lead us in singing the psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat. The spirit of the singing along with the warmth of the community make this a wonderful way to make the transition from the workweek to Shabbat. The Rabbi
2 events,
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
As the daylight dwindles and the weather cools, let us turn inward to the warmth of our community. Each week until mid-March we will mark havdalah as a community. Havdalah is a short ritual that marks the end of Shabbat, our day of rest. Through blessing, song, and story, we will dwell together in the
2 events,
Red Cross Blood Drive
Red Cross Blood Drive
Please come out to donate on February 14 and receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card by email. Sign up in the link below and invite friends and family! Make your appointment early, as blood drive participant slots have been filling up quickly. All donors will also be tested for COVID-19 antibodies with results online or
A Disabled Artist’s Journey Through Art & Activism
A Disabled Artist’s Journey Through Art & Activism
Wendy Elliott-Vandivier, an artist and long-time disability advocate will present information on her experiences as an artist and disability activist, As part of her presentation, she will show examples of her cartoons that focus on disability awareness and some of the microaggressions and barriers that disabled people experience as they try to live their ordinary,
0 events,
1 event,
Women’s Talmud Study
Women’s Talmud Study
Curious about “the rabbis,” who wrote “the Talmud,” and what is housed inside this ancient text? Interested in learning some text and also unpacking historical layers, rabbinic personalities, Jewish themes, and timeless stories? Join Rabbi Richman as we continue to build a community of women-identified learners. Women’s Talmud Study will gather virtually, by Zoom, on
1 event,
Biblical Hebrew III
Biblical Hebrew III
1:00 - 2:00 PM on Wednesdays (January 6 - February 24, 2021) In this course, we will continue with the Second Book: Aleph isn’t enough to complete this second book in the series. We are now building vocabulary, expanding knowledge of roots, conjugation of verbs and beginning translations. Tuition and book fees are $80/GJC members
1 event,
HAZAK Book Group
HAZAK Book Group
HAZAK programs are planned for our seniors (age 55+) and are geared to both reflect common interests and get us to “stretch” to try new activities as well. This well-attended book group meets monthly all year long on the second Thursday of the month to discuss great books - BYO tea and nosh to the
0 events,
1 event,
Dorshei Derekh’s “Listening for the Voice of Queen Esther” (with Havdalah)
Dorshei Derekh’s “Listening for the Voice of Queen Esther” (with Havdalah)
Join Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein for an intimate evening of creative encounters with Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story known for her courage, beauty, connection with spirit, and friendship. Bring pen and paper, as there will be opportunities for writing, and if you are so moved, wear some jewels or a crown.
2 events,
The Untold Story of How the Stories Were Told
The Untold Story of How the Stories Were Told
Join the GJC Men's Club on Zoom for Louis Schmidt’s moving talk about his experiences interviewing and recording testimonies of Holocaust survivors. These interviews are now part of the USC Shoah Foundation’s archive to bear witness to the Holocaust. Mr. Schmidt’s presentation is entitled: “The Untold Story of How the Stories Were Told”. Mr. Schmidt,
Drive-Through Purim CARnival
Drive-Through Purim CARnival
Dress up and dress up your car! Everyone and every car are encouraged to come to Kehillah of Old York Road's Purim CARnival! Organizations from all over Philadelphia are setting up stations with things to see, things to do, and things to give away. GJC's favorite clown will be representing! The event is free, but
0 events,
1 event,
Creation Theology in the Bible (Open Beit Midrash)
Creation Theology in the Bible (Open Beit Midrash)
Tuesdays, February 23, March 2 & March 9 7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom Dr. Tamar Kamionkowski In this course students will study three passages from Tanakh that offer radically visions of the beginning of days. A brief shiur (lesson) will open and end each session to frame the questions for the week and to provide some
0 events,
1 event,
GJC’s Joint Purim Celebration!
GJC’s Joint Purim Celebration!
Come celebrate Purim with GJC! The Megillah will be read, jokes will be said, videos will be shared, and none will be spared! Spielmeister Joel Fish is coordinating plenty of PurimSpiels from all over the GJC community, and Rabbi Zeff will share videos of some of GJC’s greatest Purim hits. Bring your nosh and drinks
0 events,
1 event,
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
As the daylight dwindles and the weather cools, let us turn inward to the warmth of our community. Each week until mid-March we will mark havdalah as a community. Havdalah is a short ritual that marks the end of Shabbat, our day of rest. Through blessing, song, and story, we will dwell together in the
1 event,
GJC Celebrates! Purim
GJC Celebrates! Purim
The Performing Purim class has been building to the presentation of a filmed performance of the Purim story. The video will be 10-15 minutes and will include costumes, scenes, and lots of silly action. This retelling of the Purim Story involves Persiagram, the social media app that's sweeping the city of Shushan. After Vashti is
1 event,
Freedom Texts
Freedom Texts
Mondays, March 1, 8, and 15 (7:00 - 9:00 PM on Zoom) We will examine classical Rabbinic texts (Mishna, Talmud, Midrash) focusing on the story and rituals of Passover. Each session will combine close reading with a partner (Hevruta); a presentation by the instructor (shiur); and group discussion of how these teachings might shape the
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Environmental Racism: Identity and Action
Environmental Racism: Identity and Action
This program will discuss the relationship between the environment and identity and encourage us to think more broadly about the multifaceted reality of environmental racism in the United States. Rather than a lecture, Maris invites us to think of this as an opportunity to engage with different ways of knowing, experiencing the environment, and reflecting
0 events,
2 events,
Charry Service
Charry Service
Mazal Tov to Jocie Kraut, daughter of Alisa Kraut & Chris Rugen, on becoming Bat Mitzvah! Rabbi Zeff will be leading a service from the Charry Sanctuary this week with Shabbat prayers and songs. As part of the service, the rabbi will also be teaching a text study. If your Shabbat practice allows, please tune
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
Havdalah: A Time to Be Together
As the daylight dwindles and the weather cools, let us turn inward to the warmth of our community. Each week until mid-March we will mark havdalah as a community. Havdalah is a short ritual that marks the end of Shabbat, our day of rest. Through blessing, song, and story, we will dwell together in the