Monday, March 22
Join Jody Levin and Peggy Lauber on Lunch and Learn this Monday as they reveal the joys and the exasperations of birdwatching (birding) on the North Fork. How do we participate in this sport that captivates nearly 50,000 enthusiasts across the country? When is a good time to get started? Where are the best places to start looking?
According to Jody, the spring migration has begun, the warblers are returning, and even after 45 years of searching the skies and the fields, she never tires of this vernal phenomenon.
Zoom at noon for a bird’s-eye view of this tantalizing recreational activity that provides an intimate connection between its enthusiasts and the natural environment.

Monday, March 15

Join shul member Gail Kriegel for an inside look at the theater scene from the lens of a playwright, librettist and composer. How does an idea become a stage play? 

Learn about Gail’s first play for children, her first off-Broadway play, her docudrama, “Seven,” written with six other prize-winning playwrights, and her musical, “Sweetee,” which was directed by Tony Award-winning Pat Birch. Let’s ask her about her new play, “Cracked Open,” which had its first reading at the Grand Central Library.

Among Gail Kriegel’s many honors are the National Children’s Theatre Foundation Award, Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, Ruby Lloyd Apsey Award, One World Arts Grant, Artist-in-Residence at Tribeca Performing Arts Centre, and Visiting Artist at American Academy in Rome. Gail Kriegel is artistic director of the East Broadway Theatre Project.

Thursday, March 18

The Jewish history series is on hiatus until Thursday, May 13.

Monday, March 8

What is an art photograph, and what makes it art? Loni Efron, the owner, creative director and curator of Ilon Art Gallery in Harlem, has collaborated for decades with iconic as well as emerging artists, recently adding painters, graffiti and street artists to her gallery’s portfolio. Join Loni Efron this Monday for a closeup view of her gallery and how it came to be, her work with top professionals in the field and those to watch. Loni, daughter of shul president Judith Weiner, brings her love of photography and art to a special Lunch and Learn. Be sure to Zoom at noon to see photography in a whole new way.

Thursday, March 11

Rabbi Gadi continues with his Jewish history series today, moving from the painful episodes of war and destruction to the hopefulness embodied in the diaspora and the rebuilding of Jewish communities. Be sure to Zoom at noon for this uplifting chapter in the Jewish continuum.

Monday, March 1

February Fun continues on Monday, March 1. What’s this we hear? Everybody is starved for theater during Covid? Lunch and Learn to the rescue.  Live! On the Virtual Stage! Lunch and Learn presents “Second Chance,” a script-in-hand performance of Elyse Nass’s one-act comedy, starring Suzi Rosenstreich and Sara Bloom, making their CTI theatrical debut. You don’t want to miss this showstopper. Zoom at noon.

Thursday, March 4

Rabbi Gadi returns to his Jewish history series today. Following the second revolt against the Romans at Masada, we will meet Rabbi Akiva, the great Jewish scholar and sage, and experience his influence as the Jews undertake the last rebellion. Zoom at noon.

Monday, Feb. 22

In 2019, Lilian Rosenstreich and Mitchel Weiss founded Kalaniot Books, a publisher of picture books that introduce children to the rich mosaic of Jewish culture and history. How a publishing venture is launched, what books are chosen, and how these books appear in the eager hands of youngsters is the subject of today’s Lunch and Learn. Join Lilian Rosenstreich, daughter of shul members Saul and Suzi Rosenstreich, as she provides a glimpse into the wild world of publishing. Previously, Lili was design director at Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers and a freelance art director for multiple publishers. Be sure to Zoom at noon for this fascinating venture. 

Thursday, Feb. 25

Join us for a special Lunch and Learn today about Purim, which begins this evening. Explore the familiar story, the age-old rituals, and the theology of the holiday with Rabbi Gadi, who will relate the ancient text to our modern Jewish audience. Costumes and noisemakers optional. Zoom at noon for more February fun.

Monday, Feb. 15

Do you have to be Jewish to join the Judaism and Art group? Can squares join the Book Circle? Who plants the veggies in Andrew Levin Park’s flower garden? Can members really claim their own seats in the sanctuary? And where do The Shofar editors dig up all those fun facts? These questions and other imponderables will be answered Monday when Lunch and Learn invites a dozen shul members to reveal what’s really going on at the synagogue — even during a pandemic — and what you can do about it. Moderator-in-chief Suzi Rosenstreich will keep the rowdy bunch in check — at least that’s the plan. It’s more February Fun at Lunch and Learn. Zoom at noon.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Join Lunch and Learn today when Rabbi Gadi continues his Jewish history series with an exploration of the Siege of Masada, the second revolt in the ongoing Jewish-Roman conflict. 

Zoom at noon for this fascinating, well-researched series.