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SEPTEMBER 2025 PROGRAMS
HIGH HOLIDAYS 2025-5786
Please visit our High Holidays page for details on services, our Yizbor book and pre-holiday programming.
High Holidays 2025-5786
CHELSEA’S IMMIGRANT JEWISH ARTISTS AND ARTISANS
Sunday, September 7, 1:00 pm ET (in-person at the Walnut Street Synagogue, 145 Walnut Street, Chelsea)
Join us for an afternoon to celebrate Jewish immigrants of the last century who became artists and artisans. Tour the historic synagogue that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore Judaica, artwork, photos, documents, books, posters and plaques from the Walnut Street Synagogue, synagogues in Chelsea that have closed, along with fraternal, social and educational organizations from Chelsea and beyond. Dr. Samuel Gruber, art and architecture historian and Simona Di Nepi, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Curator of Judaica at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will speak at 2:00 p.m. They will introduce the work of Jewish immigrant artists and artisans in Chelsea and Greater Boston active during the early 20th century and will explore their legacy and how their work is utilized, preserved and appreciated today. One of the prominent artisans that will be discussed is Sam Katz. Katz, a prolific woodworker and cabinetmaker who built numerous synagogue Torah arks in the Boston area immigrated to America in 1910 and established himself in Chelsea around 1916. Free, advance registration required.
Learn more about the program here
WALKABOUT TEL AVIV: TEL TO TOWERS
Foundations: From Colonies to City Streets
Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 pm ET (online)
As residents of 19th-century Jaffa grew restless within the city walls, they looked outward and began building the future. Our path traces the earliest breakaway neighborhoods: the serene charm of the American and German Colonies, with their red-roofed houses and tree-lined lanes, to the artistic enclave of Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood established outside Jaffa. This session captures the essence of Zionist vision: the dream of building a Hebrew city by the sea. We’ll walk the path of the early aliyot (Jewish immigrations) and track the founding of Tel Aviv on April 11, 1909, a date that would mark a turning point not just in city planning, but in Jewish modern identity. We’ll trace how it evolved into a buzzing center for startups, street food, and creative culture. Traversing Park HaMesila, the former Ottoman railway line turned green promenade, we move through eclectic Florentin and bustling Levinsky Market until we arrive at Rothschild Boulevard, the pulsing heart of the modern city. Renowned tour guide Gila Levitan will lead us on an eye-opening virtual journey that will take us far beyond the guidebooks. This series is made possible by a grant from the Congregation Ahabat Shalom Religious Fund and other generous donors.
Learn more about the series here
CSP
The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a partner congregation of the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program. Please join us at an upcoming program!
Jonah Meets Moby Dick – Facing the Deep on the Day of Awe
Tuesday, September 30, 1:00 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum for a study of the literary meanings of the second chapter of the book of Jonah from the Midrash and New Testament to Michelangelo, Herbert Melville, Jules Verne all the way to Captain Jack Sparrow. Transform your Yom Kippur experience by diving with Jonah into the belly of the beast.
Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum is Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where he holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family. He lectures in Jewish philosophy and education, and trains teachers and rabbis. Rabbi Zarum has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London and an MA in Adult Education from University College London. His rabbinic ordination was awarded by the Montefiore Kollel and Rabbi Sacks, and he is also a graduate of the Mandel Leadership School in Jerusalem. Rabbi Zarum regularly writes articles for the Jewish press and essays for journals. His recent book, Questioning Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt, published by Koren, was the finalist in the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize, awarded by Yeshiva University.
Program video
How Kabbalah Reimagines Torah
Part 1 – Sunday, September 21, 7:00 pm ET (online)
Part 2 – Sunday, September 28, 7:00 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
As we approach the Jewish New Year and prepare to complete the annual cycle of Torah reading, we are invited to revisit an ancient question with fresh eyes: What is the Torah, really? While traditionally understood as a sacred text combining narrative and law, the Kabbalistic tradition offers a radically different lens, seeing the Torah not just as words on parchment, but as a living, dynamic force, a divine emanation that reveals the mysteries of God and the boundless potential within each soul. In this two-part series, renowned Kabbalah scholar and translator Prof. Daniel Matt will guide us into this mystical understanding, illuminating key Kabbalistic texts that challenge us to rethink the nature of Torah itself. Drawing on decades of scholarship, including his monumental nine-volume translation and commentary of the Zohar, as well as accessible works like The Essential Kabbalah and God and the Big Bang, Prof. Matt will open new spiritual pathways for encountering Torah at this season of renewal and reflection.
Prof. Daniel Matt is a scholar and teacher of Kabbalah. Some years ago, he completed an eighteen-year project of translating the Zohar, the masterpiece of Kabbalah. His nine-volume annotated work, The Zohar: Pritzker Edition (published by Stanford University Press), has been hailed as “a monumental contribution to the history of Jewish thought.” His other books include: God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony between Science and Spirituality (2nd edition, 2016), The Essential Kabbalah (translated into eight languages), and Zohar: Annotated and Explained (a short paperback). Recently his biography of Elijah, Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation, was published by Yale University Press in their series Jewish Lives. Daniel received his PhD from Brandeis University and for twenty years served as professor at the Center for Jewish Studies, within the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He has also taught at Stanford and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Part 1 – Program video
Part 2 – Program video
From Pickles to Prada – 150 Years on the Lower East Side
Part 1 – Spotlight on the LES: Stages, Shtick, and Stardom – Thursday, September 4, 3:30 pm ET (online)
Part 2 – “I’ll Have What She’s Having!” Food Then and Now – Thursday, September 11, 3:30 pm ET (online)
Part 3 – Where Did You Buy Your Camp Clothes? From Pushcarts to Prada – Thursday, September 18, 3:30 pm ET (online)
Part 4 – “They Were Good to Their Mothers,” But Were They? The Seamy Side of Life on the LES – Thursday, September 25, 3:30 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us for a four-part series exploring over 150 years of transformation in one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods—the Lower East Side. Once a bustling enclave of pushcarts, pickled herring, and Yiddish theatre, this historic district has reinvented itself as a vibrant hub of boutique fashion, fusion cuisine, and cultural evolution. Through evocative images, rich stories, and sharp commentary, we’ll examine the changing landscape of entertainment, food, shopping, and social norms.
Dr. Sharon Keller, CSP’s 15th Annual One Month Scholar in Residence (January 2016), is a dynamic and engaging scholar known for making ancient texts and archaeology come alive. She earned her doctorate from New York University (NYU) in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, specializing in the Bible and the Ancient Near East, and currently teaches in the Classics Department at Hofstra University. She has held faculty positions at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, Hunter College and NYU, offering courses on biblical texts, ancient history, and Mediterranean archaeology. A prolific author, her work often explores the intersection of biblical Israel and ancient Egypt, and her acclaimed book Jews: A Treasury of Art and Literature received the National Jewish Book Award.
The Cultural Heart of Galicia – Tarnów Poland
Tuesday, September 16, 1:00 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Step into the town of Tarnów, where centuries of Jewish life once shaped the cultural heart of Galicia. This tour takes us through poignant landmarks, an evocative synagogue ruin, a beautifully preserved cemetery, and quiet streets that still echo with history. Along the way, we uncover stories of vibrant community life, devastating loss, and enduring memory. We’ll visit the bimah that still stands as a haunting reminder of Tarnów’s once-thriving Jewish quarter, and reflect at the mass grave memorial in the forest outside town. It’s a deeply reflective experience about legacy, resilience, and commemoration, an invitation to bear witness, remember, and honor a Jewish heritage that shaped Tarnów and left its mark on the world.
Our guide Olga‘s journey began in 1998 when she left her home country to attend business school in California. After earning her MBA, she went on to build an international career, living and working in California, London, and Moscow. More recently, Olga had to leave her life in Odessa and now splits her time between Berlin and Kraków. Join us as we travel with her to Tarnów, Poland.
Two Jews Walk Into a Zoom – Kvetches, Confessions and Catastrophes
Sunday, September 14, 7:00 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us online for an hour of sharp wit, big laughs, and unforgettable stories as two Moth main-stage storytellers, Annie Korzen and Carlos Kotkin, share the (virtual) stage for a special CSP live, online, storytelling event. Annie, best known as Doris Klompus on Seinfeld and now a TikTok sensation in her
80s, brings her signature blend of humor, heart, and chutzpah. Carlos, author of Please God Let It Be Herpes and screenwriter of Rio 2 and The Star, offers up hilariously honest tales of love, life, and everything in between. Don’t miss this lively, laughter-filled online session — tune in from anywhere and
enjoy storytelling at its finest!
Annie Korzen was the recurring Doris Klompus on Seinfeld. She is an octogenarian TikTok sensation with close to half a million followers, and is the author of “THE BOOK OF ANNIE: Humor, Heart and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer.” Annie has written humorous essays for The New York Times,
Los Angeles Times and many more, and she has performed her solo shows on three continents. She is a Moth Mainstage storyteller, and has been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Mario Lopez, and – wait for it – Dr. Phil.
Carlos Kotkin is an author, screenwriter and humorist. His dating memoir Please God Let It Be Herpes: A Heartfelt Quest for Love and Companionship was published by Penguin Books. He is a regular host of The Moth story slams in Los Angeles and his material has been featured on The Moth podcast as well as
other popular platforms including KCRW’s UnFictional, Risk!, Story Collider and NYT’s Modern Love. He has written the animated features Rio 2, Open Season: Scared Silly, The Star and Giants of La Mancha.
Program video
Leading with Purpose – A Conversation with Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Tuesday, September 2, 1:00 pm ET (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, as he reflects on his journey from Tustin, California, to leading a movement representing over two million Jews across North America. Drawing from decades of spiritual leadership, social activism, and
global engagement, Rabbi Jacobs will share insights on the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary Jewish life.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs is the president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), representing nearly 850 congregations and over two million North American Jews. Since assuming the role in 2012, he has been a leading voice for social justice, environmental responsibility, and liberal Zionism. A native of Tustin, CA,
Rabbi Jacobs was ordained in 1982 at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and served for nearly three decades as a pulpit rabbi in New York. He is a frequent commentator in major media and has engaged in humanitarian missions and interfaith dialogue around the world.
Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz is a teacher, author, and spiritual leader with deep expertise in Jewish spirituality and law. He served as the rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, CA, for over 30 years and was a longtime member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Law and Standards. His books include Does the Soul Survive?, Healing from Despair, Increasing Wholeness and Duets on Psalms (coauthored with Rabbi Jack Riemer). Rabbi Spitz is a widely respected voice on topics such as the afterlife, meditation, and spiritual resilience.
Program video
COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS
Nova Exhibition
Friday, September 26 through Tuesday, October 21
(in-person at the former FW Webb Building, 307 Dorchester Avenue, Boston)
The Nova Exhibition, presented by the Tribe of Nova Foundation, is an in-depth remembrance of the brutal massacre at The Nova Music Festival on October 7th, 2023. The installation sets out to recreate a festival dedicated to peace and love that was savagely cut short by a terrorist attack on that fateful day. The attack at The Nova Music Festival was the largest massacre in music history.
More information and tickets here
In Conversation: An Update on Israel with Tal Becker
Tuesday, September 16, 8:00 am ET
(online program presented by Combined Jewish Philanthropies)
CJP invites the community for a timely conversation on events in Israel between CJP’s President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker with Tal Becker as they discuss the latest from Israel and what might lie ahead. As the region seemingly changes by the hour, many of us are grappling with reliable sources, social media noise, and deep division. CJP is committed to providing our community with information and thoughtful analysis from renowned experts. Tal Becker is an educator, international law expert, and Vice President of Shalom Hartman Institute.
Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism
Tuesday, September 9, 7:30 pm ET
(online program presented by the Lappin Foundation and Temple Emanuel of Newton)
Everyone is welcome to a statewide online gathering to hear about the important work of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism from Senator Cynthia Creem and Commission Co-Chairs, State Representative Simon Cataldo and State Senator John Velis. The program will be moderated by Jeff Saperstone, NBC10 News Anchor.
YAD CHESSED
Yad Chessed helps Jewish individuals and families who struggle with financial hardship pay their bills and buy food. As a social services agency rooted in the Jewish values of kindness (chessed) and charity (tzedakah), they are committed to helping those in need navigate a path toward financial stability while preserving their privacy and dignity. They provide emergency financial assistance, grocery gift cards and compassionate advice for those trying to make ends meet. Hundreds of families and individuals throughout the state rely on Yad Chessed to provide for their essentials, and even at times, a Jewish burial for a loved one. Members of our community, as well as others in the Jewish community, who need assistance may contact Yad Chessed by phone at 781-487-2693 or by Email at intake@yadchessed.org for a confidential conversation. Questions can be directed to info@yadchessed.org.
Support Yad Chessed