Past Events
9/11 Interfaith Service of Remembrance at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
On September 11, 2011, Rabbi Deborah Hirsch joined clergy from eight other Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations in leading an interfaith service of remembrance.
Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam: An Exhibit, Engagement, and Encounter
On Sunday, January 23, Shaaray Tefila members joined congregants from Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (FAPC) and members of the Indonesian Community Mosque in Queens and the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in Manhattan at a reception hosted by FAPC, followed by a panel discussion with the senior clergy of each community (Rabbi Stein, The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston and Imam Shamsi Ali). Members of the various communities had a chance to talk informally over light refreshments before the panel discussion, which was moderated by Charlene Han Powell of FAPC. The discussion was inspired by the New York Public Library's Three Faiths exhibit, but the questions put to the panel by Ms. Powell and the audience touched on a variety of religious, political and social issues. Many participants came away from the event wanting more; as one Shaaray Tefila member remarked afterward, "This was a good beginning. Persistence will make it more than a beginning."
Rabbi Stein Highlighted Interfaith Activities in The Messenger
In his Personally Speaking column in The Messenger for January 2011 (page 3), Rabbi Stein wrote about our new relationship with Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, which has included pulpit and worship exchanges (see below). On January 23, the two congregations joined members of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York to discuss the New York Public Library's exhibit entitled Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (see above). Rabbi Stein noted that "we have taken the first step in an admittedly long but important journey."
FAPC Congregants Participated in Social Action Projects at Shaaray Tefila
Lynn Wishart, a lay leader in charge of Outreach (social action) at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Susan McKenzie, a long-time coordinator of FAPC's Meals on Heels program, joined Shaaray Tefila volunteers at Sandwich Saturday on November 13 and at Soup Kitchen on December 1.
Shaaray Tefila Hosted Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
On November 23, 2010, our congregation hosted the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration sponsored by the Yorkville Christian-Jewish Council. The ecumenical service featured clergy and lay leaders from more than a dozen Upper East Side congregations as well as musical performances by the Prelude Chorus, a division of the Young People's Chorus of New York City, Cantors Judi Rowland and Todd Kipnis, our Kol Rinnah choir and our professional quartet. The service was followed by a pumpkin pie reception in the Davis Auditorium, where a raffle was held to benefit the Yorkville Common Pantry.
Cantor Kipnis Sang in Cantorial Concert at Vatican Church
On November 16, 2010, Cantor Todd Kipnis was one of 20 members of the American Conference of Cantors who traveled to Rome to present a program of Jewish Sacred Music entitled “To God's Ears” at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. One of the most important religious sites in Rome and the state church of Italy, where kings and queens of Italy were married and fallen Italian soldiers are mourned, it is visited by hundreds of people each day. In attendance at this momentous concert event were Ambassador Dr. Miguel Diaz, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; the Rector of Santa Maria, Monsignor Renzo Giuliano; and Rev. Norbert Hoffman, secretary of the Vatican's commission on religious relations with the Jews. Click here to read more.
Rabbi Stein Preached at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
On Sunday morning, October 10, 2010, Rabbi Stein delivered a sermon entitled "Presbyterians and Jews: A Glance Inside" at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Click here to listen to the sermon. More than 50 Shaaray Tefila members attended the service.
Members of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Were Guests at our Erev Shabbat Service
On October 1, 2010, the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, Senior Pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, was the guest speaker at our Erev Shabbat service, which was also attended by many members of the church.
Rabbi Stein Addressed Cordoba House Mosque Controversy in High Holy Day Sermon
Rabbi Stein delivered a sermon entitled "Xenophobia and the Cordoba House Mosque" on Erev Rosh HaShanah 5771. Click here to read the sermon.