Anti-Zionist Jewish Spiritual & Ritual Events, NYC
Making Mensches wants to collect all anti-zionist spiritual events (such as shabbats, holidays, etc) in one place - so that folks can plan their Jewish months and weeks.
If you are hosting an event and want it added to the calendar, fill out the form below so we can add it. We are happy to add any events in NYC and online!
Previous Events
Making Mensches Shabbat
*interfaith, anti-zionist, queer normative, anti-racist* Please read our event norms before RSVPing.
🔗ZOOM OPTION AVAILABLE - DM OR EMAIL FOR THE LINK 🔗
This is a space for anti-zionist community to come together and observe ritual. We will share some shabbat prayers and songs together.
Children are welcome! We cannot provide childcare at this time and there is alcohol present - so it’s up to your comfort level, but we would love to have them.
Please read our event norms to determine if this space is for you.
Accessibility Notes: Unfortunately, we do not receive funding and are working with the space that is generously provided to us for free. This space IS NOT wheelchair accessible to enter - there are two flights of stairs at the location. Whenever we receive funding, our first priority is a wheelchair accessible space. In the meantime, we always offer a hybrid option and host shabbat virtual bimonthly. The event is on the 2nd and 3rd floors. There are 19 steps with a railing to get to the 2nd floor. There are 17 additional steps with a railing to get to the 3rd floor.
Food: Potluck style - PLEASE bring a dish / dessert / drink so we can all eat/drink! Eating will be separate from ritual space to maintain mask mandate. There are no restrictions around kosher/vegetarian/etc but please label your dish if you’re bringing one.
COVID Mitigation: We keep us safe. If you cannot commit to these practices, please join us virtually.
[If you are able] Wear a K/N95 or equivalent mask when not eating on the 3rd floor, and always on the 2nd floor. We will provide masks for anyone who needs one.
DO NOT ATTEND IN PERSON IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID.
Please use a Covid test prior to each session. We will be asking to see a negative test at the door.
We will have air purifiers in the room where the potluck is and room to sit 6 ft apart.
Community Norms: Please read our event norms before RSVPing.
**
Ritual element will begin promptly at 7:30pm as we need to leave the space by 9pm 😊
Queer Jews Uptown @ Uptown 4 Palestine Vigil
Queer Jews Uptown
We will stand in solidarity with @uptown4palestine at their vigil outside of Rep. Adriano Espaillat's office [720 W 181st St, New York, NY 10033, United States]. Then, we will meet up for a casual happy hour at Le Cheile from 6:30 - 8. Le Cheile is located at 839 W 181st St
uptown queer jews aims to provide virtual and physical gathering space for LGBTQ+ jewish folks and their supporters, centered in the community of uptown lenapehoking (new york city). We aim to engage in social, mutual aid, and faith-based events in upper Manhattan.
QJU centers queer Jews but all are welcome at our events
Food: Food will be available at Le Cheile but no purchase is required to join us at the restaurant
Alcohol: Le Cheile does serve alcohol but no purchase is required
Accessibility: Free , Masks required, Wheelchair Accessible, Gender Neutral Bathrooms
The vigil is free to attend. No purchase is required at Le Cheile.
What language or languages will be used during this event?: English
Is there unmasked eating? If so, is this separate from the main space or in the same space?: Masks are strongly suggested, but not required, at the vigil. There will be unmasked eating at Le Cheile.
Accessibility note: Le Cheile is wheelchair-accessible but it is at the bottom of a steep hill. To avoid the hill, one must go up to Ft Washington and 187th, turn left on Cabrini Ave. and follow it about 6 blocks to Le Cheile.
Making Mensches Queer, AZ Passover Seder
[RSVP INFO TO COME]
*interfaith, anti-zionist, queer normative, anti-racist* Please read our event norms before RSVPing.
Queer Jews Uptown @ Uptown 4 Palestine Vigil
Queer Jews Uptown
We will stand in solidarity with @uptown4palestine at their vigil outside of Rep. Adriano Espaillat's office [720 W 181st St, New York, NY 10033, United States]. Then, we will meet up for a casual happy hour at Le Cheile from 6:30 - 8. Le Cheile is located at 839 W 181st St
uptown queer jews aims to provide virtual and physical gathering space for LGBTQ+ jewish folks and their supporters, centered in the community of uptown lenapehoking (new york city). We aim to engage in social, mutual aid, and faith-based events in upper Manhattan.
QJU centers queer Jews but all are welcome at our events
Food: Food will be available at Le Cheile but no purchase is required to join us at the restaurant
Alcohol: Le Cheile does serve alcohol but no purchase is required
Accessibility: Free , Masks required, Wheelchair Accessible, Gender Neutral Bathrooms
The vigil is free to attend. No purchase is required at Le Cheile.
What language or languages will be used during this event?: English
Is there unmasked eating? If so, is this separate from the main space or in the same space?: Masks are strongly suggested, but not required, at the vigil. There will be unmasked eating at Le Cheile.
Accessibility note: Le Cheile is wheelchair-accessible but it is at the bottom of a steep hill. To avoid the hill, one must go up to Ft Washington and 187th, turn left on Cabrini Ave. and follow it about 6 blocks to Le Cheile.
Making Mensches AZ Purim
Struggling to feel the revelry of Purim in the midst of genocide?
Join Making Mensches on zoom for an intentional anti-zionist Purim gathering.
RSVP for zoom link here
As always, check our Event Norms before registering to ensure this event is for you.
Brooklyn Shabbat Kodesh [BSK] Shabbat
Brooklyn Shabbat Kodesh is an anti-Zionist, non-Zionist, and diasporist traditional egalitarian minyan that meets once a month. BSK Friday night Shabbats include a Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv service followed by kiddush and a kosher potluck dinner. Learn more here
Location: Repair the World 808 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn NY 11216
Making Mensches Shabbat
RSVP HERE & Join Telegram Channel
Location: RSVP for location
🔗ZOOM OPTION AVAILABLE - DM OR EMAIL FOR THE LINK 🔗
This is a space for anti-zionist community to come together and observe ritual. We will share some shabbat prayers and songs together.
Children are welcome! We cannot provide childcare at this time and there is alcohol present - so it’s up to your comfort level, but we would love to have them.
Please read our event norms to determine if this space is for you.
Accessibility Notes: Unfortunately, we do not receive funding and are working with the space that is generously provided to us for free. This space IS NOT wheelchair accessible to enter - there are two flights of stairs at the location. Whenever we receive funding, our first priority is a wheelchair accessible space. In the meantime, we always offer a hybrid option and host shabbat virtual bimonthly. The event is on the 2nd and 3rd floors. There are 19 steps with a railing to get to the 2nd floor. There are 17 additional steps with a railing to get to the 3rd floor.
Food: Potluck style - PLEASE bring a dish / dessert / drink so we can all eat/drink! Eating will be separate from ritual space to maintain mask mandate. There are no restrictions around kosher/vegetarian/etc but please label your dish if you’re bringing one.
COVID Mitigation: We keep us safe. If you cannot commit to these practices, please join us virtually.
[If you are able] Wear a K/N95 or equivalent mask when not eating on the 3rd floor, and always on the 2nd floor. We will provide masks for anyone who needs one.
DO NOT ATTEND IN PERSON IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID.
Please use a Covid test prior to each session. We will be asking to see a negative test at the door.
We will have air purifiers in the room where the potluck is and room to sit 6 ft apart.
Community Norms: interfaith, anti-zionist, queer normative, anti-racist. Please read our event norms before RSVPing.
**
Ritual element will begin promptly at 7:30pm as we need to leave the space by 9pm 😊
Brooklyn Shabbat Kodesh (BSK) Shabbat
Brooklyn Shabbat Kodesh is an anti-Zionist, non-Zionist, and diasporist traditional egalitarian minyan that meets once a month. BSK Friday night Shabbats include a Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv service followed by kiddush and a kosher potluck dinner. Learn more here
Location: Repair the World 808 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn NY 11216
Making Mensches: Virtual Shabbat
*interfaith, anti-zionist, queer normative* Please read our event norms before RSVPing.
Register at bit.ly/feb16shabbat
Join Making Mensches for our VIRTUAL shabbat open to all 🥳
This is a space for anti-zionist community to come together and share ritual space. We will share some shabbat prayers and protest songs together.
Please note -
*We welcome anyone who wants to join us in ritual and community. This space centers anti-zionist and queer folks.
It welcomes folks from all faiths who wish to observe Jewish tradition and ritual with us.
If you are not queer, feel free to join us as long as you’re respectful of the fact that this is a queer normative space.
Please don’t join us if you’re a zionist - we want to hold our grief together as people who explicitly oppose genocide.
Begins promptly at 7pm EST😊
October Book Club Part 2
If you want to join us then, we will be reading and then discussing the book: A Land with a People: Palestinians and Jews Confront Zionism
On 10/20, we will be discussing the first half of the book (“A History” and “Displacement and Memory”) and on 10/27, we will be discussing the second half (“Wrestling with Identity,” “Questioning Power,” and “Repairing and Healing”)
Go get a copy at your local library or support a Black-Owned bookstore by buying a copy from a store on this list: https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/
October Book Club Part 1
If you want to join us then, we will be reading and then discussing the book: A Land with a People: Palestinians and Jews Confront Zionism
On 10/20, we will be discussing the first half of the book (“A History” and “Displacement and Memory”) and on 10/27, we will be discussing the second half (“Wrestling with Identity,” “Questioning Power,” and “Repairing and Healing”)
Go get a copy at your local library or support a Black-Owned bookstore by buying a copy from a store on this list: https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/
Conversation with Anna Rajagopal
TBD on Date and Time!
Join us for a conversation with Anna Rajagopal! Anna Rajagopal is a South Asian Jewish student writer and organizer at Rice University. Anna's primary focus in terms of activism is anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism, specifically through an anti-Zionist Jewish lens.
Conversation with Evan Cole
🥁🥁 Drum roll, please! 🥁🥁
We’re so excited to introduce our first guest for our August series of conversations with fellow anti-zionist Jews, Evan Cole! 🥳
Evan will be joining us this Thursday evening to talk with us so make sure to join the IG live or listen to the podcast 📲
Evan shared:
“Like many Jewish-Americans, I was a zionist who didn’t really think much of it throughout my upbringing. I began questioning the fundamental legitimacy of israel during the forced evictions in Shiekh Jarrah in early 2021 then really began to do the reading after israel’s siege on Gaza in May 2021, arriving where I’m at now.”
See y’all on Thursday!
Not Your Bubbe's Torah School - August
August's NYBTS programming will be a series of conversations with fellow anti-zionist Jews - discussing their journeys and views.
Not Your Bubbe's Torah School - July
As we reflect on a year of being a vocal anti-zionist Jewish org, July's NYBTS programming will address how Jewish ethics/principles support anti-zionism.
Getting Cheeky with God Series
Making Mensches & Fucking the Fine Print (@fckingthefineprint) collaborate on Getting Cheeky with God.
This series consists of four sessions on IG Live:
April 12 - Sex, Pleasure and Judaism
April 21 - Menstruation and the Mikveh
April 28 - Abortion & Judaism
May 5th - Circumcision
The Power of the Divine Feminine and the Pull of the Moon
Hosted by Union Theological Seminary
Anti-Racist Practice 101
Anti-Racist Practice 101
Conversation with Dorshei Emet congregation in Montreal
Hosted on Zoom
Confronting "Ashkenormativity," Embracing Anti-Racism
3-Part, action-based series continuing the work of anti-racism in Orange County, NY. March 2021, Zoom
This series was generously funded by the Jewish Federation of Orange County and Temple Beth Shalom
Race, Gender, and Jewish Womanhood: Unpacking Intersectionality
Hosted on zoom
Open to all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary folks who are comfortable in spaces that center the experiences of women!
We will be discussing the intersections of race, gender, and Judaism. Including: Jewish women’s experiences during the feminist movements, gender in Jewish spaces, and the importance of understanding the experiences of non-white Jewish women.
Can’t wait to “see” you there!
This workshop was generously supported by a grant from WRJ
6-Part series on Anti-Racism in Jewish Community
Fall 2020, Zoom
This series was generously supported by a Jewish in OC Micro-Grant from the Jewish Federation of Orange County