SAJ Centennial Shabbat Kick Off
Saturday, January 29
Tish by Professor Deborah Dash Moore; Guest remarks by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Comptroller Brad Lander, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and City Council Member Gale Brewer
“A Singing Congregation”: A Century of Music at SAJ
Sunday, January 30
Honor the legacies of SAJ’s early musical gedolim with Cantor Lisa Shapanka Arbisser, musicologist Prof. Edwin Seroussi and musicologist/cellist Paula Eisenstein Baker
Judith Kaplan 1922 on Instagram
Beginning Feb 14
In 1922, following passage of the 19th amendment and at the beginning of the Jazz Age, a NYC tween made history as the first GIRL to become “bas mitzvah.” Follow her remarkable story at @JudithKaplan1922!
Social Justice at SAJ (SOJAC): Past, Present and Future (Tish)
Saturday, February 19
A focus on past, ongoing and future social justice initiatives at SAJ that expand on our heritage as seekers of justice.
Social Justice at SAJ (SOJAC): Past, Present and Future (Panel Discussion)
Saturday, February 19
A focus on past, ongoing and future social justice initiatives at SAJ that expand on our heritage as seekers of justice.
Rise Up/Bat Mitzvah at 100: National Commemoration
Thursday, March 17
In 1922, SAJ held the first bat mitzvah in America, a trail-blazing step toward gender equality in Judaism. Along with Jewish Women’s Archive, we present the “Rise Up/Bat Mitzvah at 100” national program
Rise Up/Bat Mitzvah at 100: A National Shabbat
Saturday, March 19
In 1922, SAJ held the first bat mitzvah in America, a trail-blazing step toward gender equality in Judaism. Along with Jewish Women’s Archive, we present the “Rise Up/Bat Mitzvah at 100” national program
From the Archives of the SAJ
Thursday, March 31
Opening of an exhibition of SAJ archival material.
Mordecai Kaplan and the Pursuit of Social Justice
Saturday, April 2
An engaging discussion with Scholar in Residence Eric Caplan, Ph.D.
Beyond Bat Mitzvah: Contemporary Issues in Gender Equity and Inclusion
Date and time TBA
Education Innovation | 40 Years of Jewish Learning and Teaching at SAJ
Sunday May 1 @ 4 PM ET – Post Program Discussion Follows from 5:30 – 6 PM ET
A discussion panel exploring the history of pioneering education at SAJ, facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Schein of the Kaplan center, and SAJ Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann.
Judith Kaplan Eisenstein’s Heritage of Music: An Illustrated Conversation
Saturday, May 14
Conversation led by Rabbi Liz Bolton with Miriam Eisenstein and Rabbi Bob Gluck.
SAJ as a Civilization: An All-Day Symposium
Sunday, June 12
Discussions on Reconstructionism, SAJ, and American Judaism, with Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Dr. Mel Scult, Dr. Deborah Dash Moore, and others.
SAJ 100 Years: Remembering Rabbi Alan Miller z”l
Thursday, August 11
Join us on zoom to share memories of Rabbi Alan Miller z”l in honor of his fifth yahrzeit. Rabbi Miller is SAJ’s longest serving rabbi, with a tenure of 32 years. His teachings and innovations (including the open microphone) have had a lasting impact on current members, alumni, and the modern Jewish world. Rabbi Lauren will facilitate the evening, as we commemorate the legacy of Rabbi Miller together with Naomi and their family.
Community Gala
Saturday, October 15
Join us for a Community Gala honoring the SAJ and our centennial year. Upper West Side Location and more details to be announced!
Music of SAJ: Recent Past and Future
Saturday, November 19
Cantor Lisa Arbisser will be joined by past SAJ cantors and current congregational musicians and singers to showcase recent and contemporary music of SAJ.
The SAJ Experience | An Interactive Digital Exhibit
Thursday, December 15 Celebrate the centennial with a fun multimedia experience highlighting the people, artifacts, and the rich history of SAJ. Join us from your home, using your computer (or smartphone) to explore your synagogue in a completely new and innovative way. High tech — but don’t worry — accessible to all ages.
At a Turning Point: A Conversation about the Jewish Future
Tuesday January 17th
As we reach the conclusion of SAJ’s 100 Years Celebration, we look towards the next century. Just as Rabbi Kaplan responded to the world around him and redefined Judaism in tumultuous times, so too must we address our own time and dream big about the Jewish future. Jodi Rudoren of the Forward will moderate an all star-panel featuring our very own Rabbi Lauren alongside Rabbis Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue and Amichai Lau-Lavie of Lab/Shul. This is a night not to be missed! Multi-Access. Childcare Available. Light refreshments served.
SAJ 100 Years Closing Celebration – Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat & Kiddush
Saturday, January 28
On January 29, 2022, SAJ launched its 100 Years Celebration. Even in the midst of a blizzard, it was one of the most joyful and momentous days in SAJ history, with beautiful and uplifting music and inspiring words from Rabbi Lauren, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, elected officials, and interfaith partners. One year later, we look back at our accomplishments in this 100th year and look forward as we usher in the next century of SAJ. During our songful and joyful service we will acknowledge the many (!) volunteers who made this year possible. And we will dance another hora as we continue to build a congregation and Judaism that is proudly intellectual and spiritual, critical and joyful, committed to the strengthening of the Jewish people and the entire world.
SAJ 100 Years Blog
SAJ 100 Media Roundup
See @JudithKaplan1922 Stories on Instagram
In 1922, following passage of the 19th amendment and at the beginning of the Jazz Age, a NYC tween made history as the first GIRL to become bat mitzvah. Follow her remarkable story at @JudithKaplan1922! Entry: February 14, 1922 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judith Kaplan (@judithkaplan1922) Preview Entry View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judith Kaplan (@judithkaplan1922) To see all of Judith's stories, visit: instagram.com/judithkaplan1922/ Production credits: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project! A project of SAJ: Judaism That Stands For All Created by Moore + Associates Executive Producers: Mik…
Reflection by Abraham Clott, SAJ 100 Years Co-Chair
Abe Clott has been an active member since joining SAJ in 1994. This is the second installment of our Reflection Series for SAJ 100 Years. If you would like to contribute to this series, please email saj100@saj.nyc. Some Early Personal SAJ MemoriesBy Abe Clott My first visit, Fall 1994: I arrive at 9:25 for the 9:30 Shabbat morning service. I see only two people and thought I had come to the wrong place. Jack Levy explains he is the Ritual Committee Chair and always arrives by 9:30. Cantor Kornreich explains he is the Cantor. Rabbi Feld joins us and the service…
From the SAJ 100 Years Co-Chairs: A Judaism That Stands For All
100 years – a centennial. A once in a lifetime landmark. 2022 heralds the SAJ’s completion of one century’s cycle and the beginning of the next. We are privileged to stand at this moment, and feel ourselves as living links in a human chain, hand in hand with generations who have gone before, and those who will come after. We celebrate the vision, courage and tireless of work of so many rabbis (beginning with Mordechai Kaplan), cantors, teachers, staff, choirs, committees, congregants and friends, who have built and nurtured the synagogue and our broad, welcoming, ever questioning and dedicated community. We…
SAJ 100 Years Kick-Off Weekend includes SAJ Centennial Shabbat, Singing Century
100 years ago, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), the birthplace of the Reconstructionist movement. As we mark our 100th anniversary, we celebrate the creativity, intellectual inquiry, and social activism forged in 1922, still the core of SAJ today. We start our celebration at the end of January with the SAJ 100 Year Kickoff Weekend (January 28-30). We cannot wait to welcome SAJ current, past and future community members as we celebrate our past and step into our future! Given the rapidly changing Covid situation, we are assessing the appropriate in-person capacity for the Kickoff Weekend. If, as we hope, we will have both in-person and Zoom…
SAJ 100 Years Blog
SAJ 100 Media Roundup
See @JudithKaplan1922 Stories on Instagram
In 1922, following passage of the 19th amendment and at the beginning of the Jazz Age, a NYC tween made history as the first GIRL to become bat mitzvah. Follow her remarkable story at @JudithKaplan1922! Entry: February 14, 1922 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judith Kaplan (@judithkaplan1922) Preview Entry View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judith Kaplan (@judithkaplan1922) To see all of Judith's stories, visit: instagram.com/judithkaplan1922/ Production credits: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project! A project of SAJ: Judaism That Stands For All Created by Moore + Associates Executive Producers: Mik…
Reflection by Abraham Clott, SAJ 100 Years Co-Chair
Abe Clott has been an active member since joining SAJ in 1994. This is the second installment of our Reflection Series for SAJ 100 Years. If you would like to contribute to this series, please email saj100@saj.nyc. Some Early Personal SAJ MemoriesBy Abe Clott My first visit, Fall 1994: I arrive at 9:25 for the 9:30 Shabbat morning service. I see only two people and thought I had come to the wrong place. Jack Levy explains he is the Ritual Committee Chair and always arrives by 9:30. Cantor Kornreich explains he is the Cantor. Rabbi Feld joins us and the service…
From the SAJ 100 Years Co-Chairs: A Judaism That Stands For All
100 years – a centennial. A once in a lifetime landmark. 2022 heralds the SAJ’s completion of one century’s cycle and the beginning of the next. We are privileged to stand at this moment, and feel ourselves as living links in a human chain, hand in hand with generations who have gone before, and those who will come after. We celebrate the vision, courage and tireless of work of so many rabbis (beginning with Mordechai Kaplan), cantors, teachers, staff, choirs, committees, congregants and friends, who have built and nurtured the synagogue and our broad, welcoming, ever questioning and dedicated community. We…
SAJ 100 Years Kick-Off Weekend includes SAJ Centennial Shabbat, Singing Century
100 years ago, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), the birthplace of the Reconstructionist movement. As we mark our 100th anniversary, we celebrate the creativity, intellectual inquiry, and social activism forged in 1922, still the core of SAJ today. We start our celebration at the end of January with the SAJ 100 Year Kickoff Weekend (January 28-30). We cannot wait to welcome SAJ current, past and future community members as we celebrate our past and step into our future! Given the rapidly changing Covid situation, we are assessing the appropriate in-person capacity for the Kickoff Weekend. If, as we hope, we will have both in-person and Zoom…
