Beginners Program Guide

The Beginners program, one of the gems of Lincoln Square Synagogue, is still going strong after more than 35 years. 

Led by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, the LSS Beginners program has achieved wide acclaim and is replicated throughout the Jewish world. 

While the centerpiece of the program is the Shabbat Beginners Service, the service is supplemented by many additional educational and social programs, such as: The Introduction to Bible class Crash Courses in Hebrew Reading, Basic Judaism and Jewish History,monthly Beginners luncheons, holiday Shabbatonim, Beginners Shmoozes, and holiday parties. 

A catalog of programs and classes is listed below.   
To find out what is happening next click here.
To see the complete calendar for 5773 (2012/2013) click here.
A Beginners newsletter, Bereshith, is also published quarterly.

Shabbat Morning Services for Beginners

Imagine a Sabbath service designed for people who know little or nothing about Jewish prayers.That’s what the Beginners Service is all about—an anxiety-free "No Hebrew Necessary" prayer experience that will keep you looking forward to Saturday mornings. Open, honest discussions provide the opportunity to consider the questions you have always had about being Jewish. And there’s nothing more comforting than knowing that everyone at the Beginners Service is a "Beginner.

Saturday Mornings, 9:15 AM-Noon

Free

Beginners High Holiday Services

At last, the High Holidays Service for those who aren't so High on the Holidays! This Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, treat yourself to Lincoln Square Synagogue's "High Holidays Beginners Service," The High Holidays will never be the same. Conducted by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald & Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Reich. For reservations, please call 212-874-6100 or reserve online at beginners.lss.org!

Cost: $75 - LSS member, $125 - non member

No one will be turned away for lack of funds

Shabbat Luncheons for Beginners

Follow-up the Beginners Service with an extra treat at the almost monthly Shabbat Beginners luncheons. Shabbat rituals and traditions are explained and taught. Divrei Torah messages are shared and traditional and modern zmirot are sung.

Cost is $20

Call to confirm or check LSS website for dates and times.

Beginners Shmooze

An intimate discussion group for Beginners and former Beginners, devoted to specific topics and/or issues that affect the lives of those who wish to grow in their religious knowledge and/or observance. Refreshments will be served.

Free

Holiday Parties

Lively Beginners parties celebrating our special holidays. Includes dinner, live music and home-grown entertainment.

Offered Annually:

Sukkah Party at KJ
Email to beginners@ckj.org  or call
212-774-5678 for more information

Chanukah Party
Purim Party
Call LSS at 212-874-6100 to confirm or register online
at beginners.lss.org
 

 Beginners Shabbaton

Celebrate a joyous, full Shabbat experience together with the rabbis and cantor of Lincoln Square. Intended for participants in LSS Beginners programs. Includes Friday night & Shabbat dinners and exciting classes with LSS rabbis and teachers

 

Offered before Chanukah and Passover Annually
 

Classes

We offer many "Beginner" level courses. See online course listings for more information at beginners.lss.org.

*Beginners programs are open to people of all ages

Model Seder 
Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald and Cantor Sherwood Goffin

Join us for an intimate and exciting pre-Passover rendition of the traditional Passover Seder. Learn the skills of conducting a meaningful and joyous seder for your friends and family. Bring your recorders to capture the explanations, anecdotes and songs.

Co-sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program

All Night Shavuot Learn-In
Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald

Celebrate and commemorate the giving of the Torah at Sinai over 3300 years ago by staying up all night learning Torah.

General class starts: 11:30 PM
Beginners class starts: 12:45 AM

Introduction To The Bible
Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

Fall Term


This course provides a general overview of the content and style of the Bible. We will review basic literary and theological approaches to Bible study, traditional and modern, through the analysis of the Biblical text.

Spring Term:



An in-depth study and analysis of the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) and other basic biblical texts. The religious significance of the Bible, scriptural exegesis and the relationship of the written and oral law will be discussed and analyzed.

Class is free for LSS members, $90 for non-members

Parashat HaShavuah
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Bible Class
Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald
Enjoy an animated and insightful exposition of a cogent lesson drawn from the weekly Torah portion. Class meets every Shabbat and most holidays.
Free

After Sukkot and during Standard Time,
45 minutes before Mincha (Shabbat and holiday afternoon service)
1 hour before Mincha during Daylight Savings Time until Sukkot.
See weekly synagogue schedule or call 212-874-6100 to confirm

No one will be turned away from these programs for lack of funds. For additional information, or to be placed on the LSS Beginners mailing list, please call the Lincoln Square office at 212-874-6100 or email info@lss.org. One may also request to receive Bereshith, a free quarterly newsletter written for beginners, by beginners and published by the National Jewish Outreach Program at info@lss.org.