Sanctuary Minyan
at ANSCHE CHESED

     
  What is the Sanctuary Minyan?
What is the Sanctuary Minyan Service Like?
What is the Organization of the Minyan?
How do I Join the Sanctuary Minyan?
How Do I Participate in Services?
How Do I Find Out What is Happening in the Minyan?
Can I Hold a Simcha in the Sanctuary Minyan?
What Do I Do to Arrange an Aliyah for Yahrzeit or other Occasions?
For Further Information

 
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What is the Sanctuary Minyan?

Meeting in Ansche Chesed's main sanctuary, the Sanctuary Minyan is the direct descendant of the historical congregation at Ansche Chesed. The Sanctuary Minyan comprises a diverse group of people of all ages, pursuits, and skills devoted to participating in a rich, egalitarian, and modern Jewish life. Encouraging participation by all its members, the Sanctuary Minyan follows the traditional conservative liturgy (including full Torah reading and Haftarah and Musaf service). Ansche Chesed's rabbi, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, delivers Divrei Torah (comments and explanations on the weekly Torah portion) in the Minyan several times a month and offers weekly comments on various aspects of the service. Synagogue members also are encouraged to deliver Divrei Torah to share their own reflections on the portion. Weekly kiddushes after services sponsored by members to celebrate personal and family festive occasions (smachot)--or for no reason at all--add to the open and welcoming atmosphere.     top of page
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What is the Sanctuary Minyan Service Like?

Using the Conservative prayer book, Siddur Sim Shalom, we daven mostly in Hebrew, with some prayers in English. Frequent use of wordless melodies (niggunim) encourages participation by all, no matter what skill level. Each week the full Torah portion is read by members of the Minyan, followed by the Haftarah and Musaf. Most of the davening is led by members of the Minyan on a rotating basis. The atmosphere in the Sanctuary is informal and welcoming. Dress is casual.     top of page
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What is the Organization of the Minyan?

Reflecting the Sanctuary Minyan's diversity and openness to all, decisions about services and other matters are made by the Minyan in partnership with Rabbi Kalmanofsky. A lay steering committee elected annually by the Minyan serves as the main coordinating body. The Steering Committee consists of the coordinators of various functions, such as leading prayers (davening), reading Torah and Haftarah (leyning), supervising torah reading (gabbai'im) and coordinating kiddush. Steering Committee meetings are open to all interested members. The full Minyan meets several times a year to discuss issues that arise in its ongoing development.     top of page
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How Do I Join the Sanctuary Minyan?

Anyone who is a member of Ansche Chesed and who davens on a regular basis in the Sanctuary is a member of the Minyan. There are no additional dues or requirements.     top of page
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How Do I Participate in Services?

Ansche Chesed and the Sanctuary Minyan are committed to participation by all members at whatever skill level. Coming to shul on a regular basis and joining in the singing is a major way of participating. Members of the Minyan are happy to provide guidance and help to those who wish to become volunteer leaders of the service but who are still developing their synagogue skills. Meetings of those who lead the davening are held frequently to share melodies and to provide orientation for those wishing to learn how. A class for those interested in learning to read from the Torah meets throughout the year...     top of page
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How Do I Find Out What is Happening in the Minyan?

The Sanctuary Minyan maintains its own e-mail list. A "list server " is an electronic mail service where an email message sent to the list server is then automatically redistributed to all subscribers to the list server.   This allows the rapid distribution of information and news about the minyan. Members of the minyan and those interested in the minyan are invited to "subscribe". You will also receive synagogue-wide postings.

To Subscribe to the Sanctuary List Server:
Send an email message to the special "command-free" subscription address NYCAC-SANCTUARY-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@USCJ.ORG
The subject and content of the message is ignored, as the use of the special address is sufficient.

If you experience any problems with the List Server:
Send email to NYCAC-SANCTUARY-REQUEST@USCJ.ORG         top of page

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Can I Hold a Simcha in the Sanctuary Minyan?

Any member of Ansche Chesed can hold a simcha in the Sanctuary Minyan. B'nei Mitzvah are scheduled in advance through the Ansche Chesed office. Baby namings and celebrations of forthcoming weddings (aufrufen) can be arranged through the office.

To contact the Ansche Chesed office:
Send e-mail to OFFICE@ANSCHECHESED.ORG         top of page

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What Do I Do to Arrange an Aliyah for Yahrzeit or other Occasions?

To arrange for an aliyah (being called to the Torah) on the occasion of a Yahrzeit or other circumstances, you may call the AC office in advance. You may also make your desire known to the greeters in the Sanctuary.     top of page
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Sanctuary Minyan Steering Committee

Coordinators
        Rita Falbel
        Ellen Tucker

Gabbaim Coordinators
        Ruth Sharfman
        Tony Zak

Community Outreach Coordinators
        Stephen Gross
        Gary Kallman

Leyning Coordinators
        Claudia Chernov
        Naomi Marcus

Davening Coordinators
        Rachel Shalmon
        Miriam Harris Kaplan

D'var Torah Coordinators
        David Kronfeld
        Bettina Berch

Kiddush
        Joyce Mann
        Marilyn and Larry Levy

Shamashim
        Tony Zak
        Eric Gertner
        Stephen Gross

Hazzan
        Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn

Rabbi
        Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky

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The Ansche Chesed website is Copyright 2008 by Congregation Ansche Chesed.
All rights reserved.
Suggestions and corrections to the Sanctuary Minyan website should be emailed to
Albert Gal