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In-Person Services at AJ
All services will be conducted in person at AJ. At this time, all services will be available via Zoom. Please continue to register for Friday evening and Saturday morning services by using the link(s) below, or by using the service sign-up form link in the weekly email. Your registration will help us keep the building secure.
Service Sign-up Form for December 2024
Please familiarize yourself with our March 2024 COVID-19/respiratory illness policies. We ask that attendees of services and events at AJ review the policies and agree to them.
Orange County Community Scholar Program (CSP)
Congregation Adath Jeshurun, dedicated to the Jewish value of learning for its own sake (Torah lishmah), is excited to announce a partnership with the Orange County Community Scholar Program (CSP). As a partner with CSP, we’ll join a small group of synagogues enjoying the best Jewish learning available. AJ has the distinction of being the first Pennsylvania synagogue to partner with CSP. You can see the CSP offerings for the current month here. Please note that times on CSP web pages are Pacific Time unless noted otherwise. If you register and can’t attend, a link will be sent to you after the event to a recording. There is also an archive of classes that you can view here.
Midweek Mindfulness!
Thursday Mornings: Moment of Mindfulness
Sit and engage in a mindful meditation, deep, healing breathing or gentle movement on Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Meet us in the Strauss Chapel immediately after minyan breakfast. Come as you are, come from home or work or from minyan. Join your friends or bring a friend for a moment of mindfulness, calm and community! No registration is needed.
L’olam Lecture Via Zoom: Why Would an Orthodox Rabbi Swear Off Kosher Meat?, with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Tuesday, December 10 at 7:45 PM
Join us on Zoom to learn with Rabbi Doctor Shmuly Yanklowitz, an Orthodox Rabbi, an author of more than 25 books, an academic, and a vegan! Rabbi Shmuly has written extensively on questions of Jewish veganism and vegetarianism and animal ethics. We hope this interesting conversation will continue to inform us as we look to creating a new food policy for Adath Jeshurun this spring. Yanklowitz was featured in the 2019 documentary, “A Prayer for Compassion,” about veganism and spirituality. To learn more about him, please visit his website at https://www.rabbishmuly.com/. Please register here.
Havdalukkah Rocks!
Saturday, December 14 at 4:20 PM
Join your fellow AJers as we nosh, dance, and sing along with Grammy winner, Joanie Leeds! We will also have a hot latke bar with the absolutely best toppings ever. The warmth of Havdalah and the lights of Hanukkah will bring joyful celebration and togetherness into our synagogue this December! In addition to our delicious latke bar, we’ll have a Hanukkah craft project for your children inspired by your children’s favorite latke recipes. These art projects are sure to become your families next Hanukkah keepsake! This is sure to be a wonderful upbeat event! Register early and share your favorite latke recipe and we will share those with everyone at the event! Register here. You can hear the family-oriented music of Joanie Leeds here and here. This program is made possible through the generosity of Pam and Joe Yohlin in memory of Jeanette Yohlin.
Kabbalat Shabbat with Strings Attached
Friday, December 20 at 6:15 PM
Unplug from a busy week with an acoustic Shabbat service led by Rav Hazzan Howard Glantz with familiar tunes that will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. For all ages, from babies to bubbies. Bring your friends for this relaxed, casual, and enjoyable service! Then stay for Oneg Shabbat (lite dinner bites and gathering with friends). 6:15 PM. Please register here.
Hanukkah Bowl!
Saturday, December 21 at 9:30 AM
How much do you know about Hanukkah? Show your knowledge and win prizes! Services begin at 9:30 AM. There will be an extended Kiddush luncheon. Please sign up using the December Online Service Registration form.
Jewsday at the Movies, AJ Holiday Style: Chinese Food and a Movie
Tuesday, December 24 at 7:45 PM
What do Jews do on December 24th? Join us for Chinese food and a screening of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, starring Adam Sandler. We'll be serving vegetarian kosher Chinese food, popping popcorn, and watching the movie. The cost is $10 per family. If you intend to join us, please register by Friday, December 6. We must have registration completed by December 6 to run this program. Please register here.
Grandparents Group Program and Brunch:
A Grandparent’s Guide to the Newest Trends in Social Media, Including the Impact of AI!
Sunday, January 5 at 10:00 AM
Ever wonder what your grandchild is talking about when she or he asks you if you are on Snapchat, or “have you seen my dance on TikTok?” Come and find out what our grandkids are doing on social media, how AI has introduced even more challenges for us all, and some tips for keeping your grandkids safe. Our speaker will be Rob Levin. Rob is the founder and principal of Machine Age Digital,
a boutique creative digital agency specializing in design, development, strategy, production, and communications. For over 25 years, Rob has excelled in a wide range of roles including audio engineer, video editor, photographer, producer, programmer, graphic designer, user experience designer, project manager, program manager, copywriter, and strategist.
Everyone is welcome to join us. Invite your adult children — things are moving so fast that they may appreciate the chance to learn along with us! Feel free to bring your phone, iPad, or computer with you, and your questions and curiosity as we delve into this new millennium social media generation. The cost of the event is $5 per person. Please register for brunch and program here.
Have You Visited AJ's Community Bulletin Board?
We have launched a new page on our website called "AJ Community Bulletin Board." In blog format, we'll be letting you know about things we think may be of interest to you. You'll find non-AJ events that are happening in the Philadelphia community and beyond, thoughts from Rav Shai, content concerning Israel, etc. Check it out here!