Great Comments from The Brian Lehrer Show Interview
We hope by now you've seen the clip of Rabbi Dan and Holly Gewandter on The Brian Lehrer show. Below are some of the comments left on the WNYC website.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wearing White on Kol Nidre
This is our second year asking all of our members and guests to wear white on Kol Nidre. It is customary to wear white, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Is. 1:18). But even more than that, looking at a room filled with one color instead of the much-talked about High Holy Day new outfits is refreshing, pure, and inspiring.
We encourage everyone coming to services this Sunday to join in this custom (or even wrap a tallis around themselves).
Kol Nidre services begin at 7pm on Sunday, September 27th. Services will resume Monday morning, September 28th at 10:30am. Then join us for our community break/fast after services.
It is not too late to attend services! Download and fax over the guest reservation asap or consider becoming a member this year!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
We're in The Jewish Week
At New Shul, Beyond Apples And Honey
Soapbox preacher: The New Shul Rabbi Dan Ain, who brought his High Holy Days message to Washington Square Park, will be installed this week. Michael Datikash
by Sharon Udasin
Staff Writer
“You guys didn’t expect a rabbi to stand up and talk in Washington Square Park,” he said.
At a first glance, most passers-by thought they were about to hear yet another testifying Evangelical minister. But Rabbi Ain, 32, sported a blue button-down bowling shirt with a bright yellow “Rabbi Dan” nametag embroidered above the pocket and a swooping New Shul logo silk-screened across the back.
Throughout this week, he has been delivering short soapbox talks just south of the Washington Arch, to discuss how we can reconnect with our thoughts and reinvent our spiritual selves during the days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Meanwhile, the New Shul is hosting a nearby House of Awe and Repentance Café, with a variety of interactive multimedia displays, creative modes of repentance and a wine-coffee bar tended by Rabbi Ain himself.
“I think we need this time at the end of the year to reconnect with who we want to be,” said the rabbi, who is the son of Jewish Week Staff Writer Stewart Ain and will be officially installed as the New Shul’s spiritual leader this week.
On his soapbox, Rabbi Ain suggested taking this time of awe to break away from our Facebook profiles, Twitter accounts and iPhones to reconnect with ourselves — although he glanced down at his own iPhone every so often for speech cues.
Rabbi Ain also discussed how he was dismissed from the Conservative movement’s rabbinical group after taking this position at the avant-garde, Greenwich Village congregation.
“I was kicked out of the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative movement for taking a job at The New Shul,” he shouted. “When I appeared before a dozen or so rabbis, they said to me, ‘How can you be a rabbi at a creative and artistic shul like The New Shul?’”
A couple blocks away on East Eighth Street, The House of Awe and Repentance Café occupies an otherwise vacant storefront that the landlord is letting the New Shul use rent-free for a week. Inside stands a bar offering free candy, tea and water, and behind the bar is a “Needing to Tell” bulletin board designed by artist Karen Shasha, where visitors can tack on their own stories of remorse and forgiveness. On opening day, hundreds of visitors wandered in and out of the café, according to Holly Gewandter, co-founder of The New Shul and the architect of this project.
“People keep coming in here and saying, ‘What is this? You’re trying to raise money?’ Everyone assumes you have an ulterior motive,” Gewandter said, laughing.
For Gewandter, however, the motives behind the exhibit were purely spiritual — her attempt to revive the tradition of deep contemplation and spiritual experience during the days of awe, a practice that has always been vital to her family.
“It’s one of these things that has fallen away,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated with the idea that you can only ask forgiveness of the person you’ve wronged.”
The most prominent exhibit at the café is undoubtedly the Regret-O-Rama, a cross between a carnival hut and a curtain-drawn wooden confessional booth, topped with a roof of colorful kipot. Behind the privacy of the curtains, visitors can sit down at an iMac and send “I’m Sorry” e-mails to anyone whose forgiveness they seek, using a program created by synagogue member Elliot Philips, a senior at Poly Prep high school in Brooklyn. Thus far, the Regret-O-Rama has caused no controversy despite its resemblance to a Catholic confessional booth, affirmed Gewandter, who envisioned the idea and commissioned her daughter Haley to design it.
“We’re finding ways to make Judaism relevant and not relying on structures that were created a long time ago to be the only access points to spiritual practices,” Gewandter said.
The House of Awe and Repentance Café is located at 13 E. 8th St. and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. through Saturday, Sept. 26.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Last Minute Request
Our friends over at Miracle Corners of the World have a colleague from Senegal named Ogo Sow. Ogo is a radio journalist, a big advocate of spreading positive news on Africa, and an adviser to them on many of their projects. He actually just arrived in NYC yesterday to help out with the many activities they have going related to the UN General Assembly meetings.
En route to the airport, Ogo's house was completely flooded in the most recent unexpected flooding in the area that has caused significant property damage. Ogo's 7-year old girl and wife are now in a hotel. The little girl has lost all her clothing and belongings. We are hoping out New Shul friends and family can help by donating clothing for a 7-year old girl (built like a 10-year old) - used or new. We are sure she would appreciate school supplies and other young girl items too. If you don't have any of these items, the family also needs some towels and sheets.
Items can be dropped off on Sunday night, September 27th before, during, after Kol Nidre services starting at 7pm (272 W 10th St).
Today's Performance - Ode to Louis CK - NOON TODAY
I will be in Washington Sq. Park today (Tuesday) at NOON - near the arch under the tree - performing my Ode to Louis CK - "Everything is Amazing and Nobody's Happy."
Stop by, say hi, participate in the discussion.
- Dan
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Video from The Brian Lehrer Show
Watch Holly Gewandter and Rabbi Dan on the Brian Lehrer Show. Mazal Tov to all of us on this very exciting project during this very special time of year.
Rosh Hashanah Sermon Online
Listen to The Art of Heresy, Rabbi Dan's sermon for the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Dan on His Soap Box (Literally!)
If you stop by The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe (13 E 8th St) and can't find Rabbi Dan behind the bar, walk around the corner and see if he is standing near the arch in Washington Square Park. Once you find Rabbi Dan, ask him a question or two, challenge him, heckle, and most of all ponder the Days of Awe.
The Soapbox (pictured left) is made from acrylic on foamcore by members Victoria Horowitz and her daughter, high school student, Isa Reisner.
For more updates, join our fanpage on facebook here.
Regret-O-Rama
Walking by The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe, one of the first things to catch your eye is The Regret-O-Rama, a multimedia installation by two high school seniors: Haley Gewandter and Elliot Philips (pictured below).
According to Jewish law, forgiveness can only be given by the person who has been harmed—it is a tradition to ask for forgiveness during the Days of Awe. In the Regret-O-Rama, a confessional booth with a computer station, visitors can send an email Regret-O-Gram apologizing to those they might have wronged in the past year.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tashlich at Pier 45
Before heading over to the opening of The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe, we started our second day of Rosh Hashanah at Pier 45 for a tashlich service filled with poetry, songs, and lots of great people.
Rabbi Dan read the following poem, while we stood closely looking at the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, and our extended family:
Who By Fire - Leonard Cohen
And who by fire, who by water,
Who in the sunshine, who in the night time,
Who by high ordeal, who by common trial,
Who in your merry merry month of may,
Who by very slow decay,
And who shall I say is calling?
And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate,
Who in these realms of love, who by something blunt,
And who by avalanche, who by powder,
Who for his greed, who for his hunger,
And who shall I say is calling?
And who by brave assent, who by accident,
Who in solitude, who in this mirror,
Who by his ladys command, who by his own hand,
Who in mortal chains, who in power,
And who shall I say is calling?
We're Going to be on The Brian Lehrer Show
Listen to The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC tomorrow - Monday morning, September 21st - at 11:40 am to hear Holly Gewandter and Rabbi Dan talk about The House of Awe & Repentance Café. The program airs on 93.9 FM and AM 820.
Pictures from today's opening of The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The New Shul Partners with Nextbook for Jewish Body Week
The Golem from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.
We're participating in a weeklong festival of events exploring the subjects raised in Melvin Konner's book, "The Jewish Body."
Join us for Spa Shabbat: An Oasis for the Body, Mind, and Spirit
Friday, October 23 - Sunday, October 25
A weekend dedicated to slowing down and appreciating the many blessings that fill our lives, starting with Shabbat Shal-OM and ending with Rebbe's Table at City Winery.
Other institutions participating in the festival are our friends Rachel Katz & Joanna Lindenbaum, 92nd Street Y, JCC, Workmen's Circle, and Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C.
House of Awe & Repentance Cafe: Schedule of Special Events
Sunday, September 20
12–3pm Opening Reception
5–6pm Rabbi Dan in Washington Square Park
on his soapbox (by a tree south of the Arch)
Monday, September 21
5-6pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Tuesday, September 22
12–1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Wednesday, September 23
12-1pm & 5-6pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Thursday, September 24
Rabbi Dan’s day off
Friday, September 25
12-1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
6-6:30pm Washington Square Park
Rabbi Dan, Ellen Gould and violinist Craig Judelman
welcome Shabbat with music of the Holiday
Saturday, September 26
12-1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park
6:30–7:00pm The House of Awe & Repentance Café
Havdalah and closing
The schedule is subject to change. When not in the park, meet us at a vacant storefront: 13 E. 8th Street.
Schedule of Events
SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Sunday, September 20
12–3pm Opening Reception
5–6pm Rabbi Dan in Washington Square Park on his soapbox (by a tree south of the Arch)
Monday, September 21
5-6pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Tuesday, September 22
12–1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Wednesday, September 23
12-1pm & 5-6pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
Thursday, September 24
Rabbi Dan’s day off
Friday, September 25
12-1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park on his soapbox
6-6:30pm Washington Square Park, Rabbi Dan, Ellen Gould and violinist Craig Judelman welcome Shabbat with music of the Holiday
Saturday, September 26
12-1pm Rabbi Dan in the Park
6:30–7:00pm The House of Awe & Repentance Café Havdalah and closing
Lulav. Etrog. Eco.
Spirituality Turns a Shade of Green at The New Shul Sukkot Harvest Feastival
This year, as we come together to sit in our Sukkah - and shake the lulav and etrog - we will turn our thoughts to what it is that we are producing and harvesting (locally and globally) in 2009. At our Green Sukkot Harvest Feastival, come celebrate the holiday and learn new ways to reconnect to nature and agriculture. And while, you're at it, feed your other hunger at our 'feastival' table.
Where 272 West 10th Street
When Sunday, October 4, 2-4pm
$10/adult, members; $18 adult non-member; $5 kids
The Mayim Project
Introducing The Mayim Project, brought to you by The New Shul's Social Action Team!
Water is a fundamental source of life and many people around the world don’t have adequate access to it. The New Shul has just launched a year-long effort, called The Mayim Project, to raise consciousness and funds to help bring water to those in need. Over the next year, we will identify and partner with an organization active in digging wells in developing countries in an effort to educate ourselves and raise funds to sponsor a well. The Mayim Project will have a local component as well, with water serving as a metaphor for the essential building blocks of life. Under the umbrella of The Mayim Project, The New Shul will continue to organize community service days with several local grass-roots organizations. The Mayim Project will culminate next fall with a gala Sukkot Rain Dance, an exciting, ancient ritual that The New Shul re-imagined and performed several times in past years.
We invite everyone to help kick off The Mayim Project by participating in a small but symbolic first action. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, please take a disposable water bottle, cut a slit in the side and fill it with coins. Bring your bottles to the registration desk before any of our Yom Kippur services next week (Sunday, Sept 27 or Monday, Sept 28). The money raised will launch the fund to dig a well by the year’s end. You might think of this donation as the sum you save by fasting on Yom Kippur.
We need your help in our efforts at Tikkun Olam – or healing the world. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Public Art and Alternative Spaces
Please join Asher Remy-Toledo, member and co-curator of The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe for a panel discussion about "Public Art and Alternative Spaces."
Panelists and participants
Tom Finkelpearl, Director, Queen's Museum of Art
Lauren Ross, Curator, High Line
Anita Durst, Founder, Chashama
Steven Evans, Dia Art Foundation Assistant Director for Beacon
Peter Marcuse, Professor Urban Planning Emeritus, Columbia University
Sean Slemon, Featured Artist, Reflecting Transformation
Asher Remy-Toledo, Curator, No Longer Empty
Moderator Manon Slome, No Longer Empty
Where: The Caledonia, next to The High Line (one of the locations where No Longer Empty currently has an art project). 447 W 16th St., retail space to the right
When: Wednesday, September 23, 6:30pm
Seating is limited.
Suggested donation: $5 to support No Longer Empty's future projects)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Flowers By Special Arrangement
Great news! The New Shul is working with a wonderful florist, Flowers By Special Arrangement.
Owner Shula Wiener and Dov Bronner are donating all of the flowers for the High Holy Days. Come see their beautiful arrangements at our services this weekend and next.
Shula and Dov are offering a special Lulav and Etrog promotion to our members and friends for Sukkot (10/2-9). They have two different sets: $54 and $72, both sets are imported from Israel and help support their local growers. They can be picked up or delivered.
Our New Shul Sukkot Harvest Feastival is on Sunday, October 4th from 2-4pm.
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!
Brooklyner Kaplye for The New Shul
Here is a snapshot of Brooklyner Kapelye, the great group that performed at our Shtelt Shabbat last Friday night. They will be performing at other New Shul events as well: come see them on 9/25 as part of The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe (6-6:30pm at Washington Sq Park, near the arches) and 9/28 for Ni'ilah, the closing Yom Kippur service with our beloved Ellen Gould.
Check out Brooklyner Kaplye for more information, or to have Brooklyner Kaplye play at your next special event, you can contact violinist Craig Judelman directly (cjudelman@gmail.com, 206-369-0534) or you can e-mail the band: brooklynerkapelye@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tefillin Unbound
Sometimes getting wrapped up can set you free...
Join Rabbi Dan Ain for an unorthodox exploration of the ancient ritual of laying tefillin, Judaism’s original morning meditation practice. These leather straps and boxes are meant to help start the day by connecting mind, heart and hand. The idea is to refocus and reintegrate the (sometimes) disparate aspects of our being before we go out to face the world.
Intrigued? Try it out! Then come across the street to ‘Snice for an early morning breakfast and discussion. To find out more call 212-284-6773.
Where: 14 Horatio Street (between Greenwich Avenue & 8th Avenue)
When: The second Tuesday of every month at 7:45am
October 13
November 10
December 8
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8
Rosh Hashanah Care Packages
Start the new year off on the right foot by doing a mitzvah. Join us as we assist the Selfhelp organization with delivering holiday food packages to elderly Nazi victims. These people would greatly appreciate and benefit from the delivery of packages filled with traditional holiday foods such as honey, apples, challah, and other festive goodies that make Rosh Hashanah special. Make a care package and then deliver it! This is sure to be a meaningful activity for everyone involved. To participate in this unique tikkun olam endeavor, or for more information, please contact the office.
The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe on Facebook!
Be in-the-know about The House of Awe & Repentance Cafe by becoming a fan on our facebook fan page. Click here!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Contemporary Sins
We're collecting "contemporary sins" to be used as part of an art piece. What would you put on the list?
Some examples we've collected thus far:
1. checking blackberry during dinner
2. ordering take out
3. eating crap
4. throwing cigarette on the floor
5. IMing at work
6. buying retail during a recession
7. buying one movie ticket, staying for four movies
8. sharing a Netflix account
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Forget Chicken and Chicken Soup
The New Shul's Shtetl Shabbat is mixing old and new from music, to teachings to even the menu!
Our new caterer Lisa Teiger from Creative CuisinEtcFriday, September 11, 6:30pm
272 West 10th Street (b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts)
The folks who catered our wonderful High Line Shabbat, Creative CuisinEtc, are now joining our New Shul family and will be catering our events this year! We promise to not disappoint you, but don't take our word for it - check out the menu:
Savory Tortas including:
Rondele Torta layered with pesto + sun dried tomato tapenade
Barcelona Gaudi cheese mound
(Spanish goat cheese, cream cheese, orange zest,
green pimento stuffed olives and scallions)
Tortas will be served with house made flat breads,
crackers and fancy cut carrots.
Baked potato bar with Down Home Shtetl Toppings
(shredded cheddar, sour cream, caramelized mushrooms with sage,
sesame scented edamame beans with smoked tofu)
Salmon topped with vibrant green Moroccan herbed chermoula sauce
Lemon scented orzo salad with cherry tomatoes,
sunflower seeds and late summer roasted corn
Bulgarian watermelon, feta, cured black olives,
red onion + fresh mint over a bed of greens
Zesty sweet-n-sour broccoli dotted with mandarin oranges + colored peppers
Dijon french potato salad with marinated artichokes and haricot vert
Crunchy romaine + spinach salad with thinly shaved red onion,
salt and pepper walnuts, and farm stand apples, red wine vinaigrette
and for yummy dessert:
Eastern European blintz cupcakes topped with fresh fruit + sour cream
Eat No Eat No Eat
I already ate at home
Bubbe don’t play that
I already ate at home
Bubbe don’t play that
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Learning about reinventing rituals can be very interesting, maybe even inspiring, but can't compare to actually experiencing it in the here and now. Sounds like the House of Awe and Repentance Cafe is an exciting and enlivening way to be Jewish!
I was in Washington Square Park y'day and saw this guy actually standing on a soap box talking about rabbi's. Is that part of this installation?!
Rabbi Dan Ain is a rabbi for all ages, all seasons, and for the 21st century. He is smart, charismatic, and compassionate. Take this opportunity to stop by and chat with my favorite rabbi this week!!!
Hey Brian,
I listened to your show and then headed over to the Cafe this p.m. to meet Rabbi Dan in person. He is truly amazing -- insightful, authentic, and sincere. Please have him back on your show again so your loyal listeners (like me) can have the pleasure of you and him on a one to one. The interview you did this morning left me wanting more.
All the best,
Herb
I agree with Herb. I am also a regular listener and I stopped by the House of Awe and Repentance Cafe after work and met Rabbi Dan. My girlfriend is Jewish and I'm not. Couldn't have felt more comfortable, challenged, and inspired by this powerhouse of a human being.
Stopped by the House of Awe to meet this Rabbi Dan, and truthfully it was the most honest and candid discussion I can recall having about faith in my life. Rabbi Dan you are a welcomed breath of fresh air!!!
My kind of religion. Actually seems to have something to do with real people!