The Barber of Seville Preview Concert
2026-08-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Boston Synagogue, 55 Martha Rd, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
Join Boston Summer Opera for an evening of beautiful singing as we preview our upcoming production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville!

Performed by members of our talented cast of Boston-area young artists, this informal concert will feature favorite excerpts from The Barber of Seville alongside beloved opera arias, duets, and ensembles by Mozart, Donizetti, Puccini, and more. The program will be accompanied by Boston Summer Opera’s Music Director, Julian Gau, with Executive Director Hannah Shanefield serving as host for the evening.
Whether you’re a lifelong opera lover or attending your very first performance, this concert is a welcoming introduction to the joy, humor, and beauty of opera.
Come meet the artists, enjoy an evening of live music, and get a sneak peek at Boston Summer Opera’s upcoming production of The Barber of Seville! The mainstage performance will take place at the synagogue on Sunday August 23rd.

Bonfire Fun & Crafts: Channel your Jewish camp spirit
2026-08-11 18:00 - 20:00
Channel your Jewish camp spirit and celebrate the season with an evening of crafts, community, and classic summer bonfire fun.
Whether you spent your summers at Jewish camp or simply love long summer evenings with friends, this event is all about bringing back the best camp memories. Gather around the bonfire, meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and enjoy a laid-back atmosphere filled with creativity, laughter, and community spirit.
We’ll be embracing classic camp traditions with favorite arts and crafts activities, including friendship bracelets, lanyards, and other nostalgic projects that will transport you right back to your camp days.
Enjoy hot dogs fresh off the fire, toasted marshmallows, classic s’mores, refreshing summer drinks, and camp-inspired treats. Between crafting, snacking, and socializing, there will be plenty of opportunities to soak up the summer atmosphere and connect with fellow Jewish young professionals from across the Boston area.
Celebrate Jewish community, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a warm evening outdoors. Whether you’re coming with friends or flying solo, you’ll find a welcoming crowd and plenty of opportunities to make new connections.
Join us for a fun-filled summer night of campfire vibes, nostalgic crafts, delicious food, and great company. Bring your camp spirit, your creativity, and your appetite—we can’t wait to celebrate summer with you!
REGISTER HERE

The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini
2026-08-23 15:00 - 17:30
Boston Summer Opera and the Horizon Ensemble proudly present Rossini’s iconic comedy: The Barber of Seville!

Boston Summer Opera and the Horizon Ensemble are teaming up again to bring The Barber of Seville to Boston!
The Barber of Seville is one of the most popular operas, if not pieces of classical music, ever written, and you probably already know it! This music shows up everywhere, from Looney Tunes to Mrs. Doubtfire to opera houses around the world.
Rossini’s score is not for the faint of heart. It takes fearless singing actors to bring its vocal acrobatics and comic energy to life—just like our cast of Boston Summer Opera alumni.
This production will be performed in Italian with English supertitles. The run time will be approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Tickets are affordable, vibes are welcoming, and we guarantee that this show will make you fall in love with opera.
General Admission – $25
Student/Senior – $12.50
General Admission at the door – $30
Student/Senior at the door – $15
Get Tickets Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-barber-of-seville-by-gioachino-rossini-tickets-1986541241329?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Cast
Figaro: Dylan Evans
Il Conte di Almaviva: Leo Balkovetz
Rosina: Alesandra Onjiko
Bartolo: Austin Martin
Don Basilio: Johan Hartman
Berta: Logan Trotter
Fiorello: Lee Ellis
Creative Team
Conductor: Julian Gau
Assistant Conductor: Naré Kim
Director: Hannah Shanefield
Stage Manager: Abbey Engelmann
Artwork: Larisa Bainton-Hernandez
Chorus and Cover cast info to come soon!

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
2026-08-24 19:00 - 22:00
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein for Not Your Bubee’s Book Club at The Boston Synagogue
With a rich cast of supporting characters, Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein transports readers to summer-time Maine — loons, blueberries, and summer storms included. A perfect read for fans of Carly Fortune’s Meet Me at the Lake, Orenstein’s novel is a timeless and heartwarming novel infused with honesty, love, and complicated discoveries about sisterhood, selfhood, and what home really means. Review by:By
Jessica Sender
– May 8, 2025
Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club offers a unique Jewish twist featuring exciting Jewish authors and Jewish stories directly featured from The Jewish Book Council.
Date: August 24 , 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a meaningful discussion to explore the leading characters, born only six months apart, Vivian and Lucy have the same father but have never met. While both spent a month at the lake each summer with their father as kids, their paths never crossed, and they were only vaguely aware of each other — until tragedy strikes, and the two women are forced to confront each other and some painful truths.
Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers.
See you there!
Stay tuned for Not Your Bubbe’s latest releases for the Autumn and Winter season. You will want to secure these fabulous reads and join us for the discussion. Updates coming soon.
— See you there

Calling all bibliophiles: Do you like to read between the wines? 📚
If you’re looking for a group that celebrates a love of both books and a good drink, then you’re in the right place!
See the Full Spring / Summer Collection Here & RSVP!
RSVP here!

Judaism 101: Courses Start!
2026-08-27 18:30 - 20:00
Judaism 101: Courses Start August 27th!
This 26 hybrid format learning opportunity is for those who want to better understand key elements of Judaism. It is taught at a college level.
Classes meets in-person and/or on Zoom, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 PM, starting August 27
Wherever you are, you can access this unique learning opportunity!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Jewish history & culture
Beliefs
Similarities/differences with other religions
Rituals & holidays
Laws of kashrut (kosher)
Lifecycle events & celebrations
Jewish denominations

Email us at office@bostonsynagogue.org for more details!
Register here: https://bostonsynagogue.org/judaism-101/

Jewish Crafternoon Paint & Sip: Pre-High Holiday Fun
2026-08-30 14:00 - 16:00
As the High Holiday season approaches, take a moment to join fellow Jewish young professionals at the Boston Synagogue for paint & sip.
Join downtown Boston Jewish young professionals for a relaxed Paint & Sip-style gathering designed to help you prepare for the High Holidays led by AvirLev, this interactive experience will blend Jewish themes of reflection, renewal, gratitude, and personal growth with hands-on arts and crafts activities in a welcoming and social atmosphere.
Through guided creative projects and thoughtful prompts, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the themes of the High Holidays in a meaningful way.
Enjoy snacks, drinks, and great conversation while creating alongside friends old and new. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other Jewish young professionals in the Boston area, build community, and engage with the spirit of the season in a creative and relaxed setting.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your connection to the High Holidays, explore Jewish traditions through art, or simply spend a meaningful afternoon with peers, this event offers a unique way to prepare for the season ahead.
Come sip, create, reflect, and connect as we welcome the High Holidays together. We look forward to sharing this special afternoon with you.

REGISTER HERE

The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance by Michelle Young
2026-09-28 19:00 - 21:00
The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance by Michelle Young tells a fascinating story. Come join the discussion.
“The Art Spy,: The extraordinary untold tale of WWII resistance hero Rose Valland by Michelle Young tells the long-overlooked story of Valland spying on the Germans, keeping records of all the art collections that were stolen, and where those works went.”
Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club offers a unique Jewish twist featuring exciting Jewish authors and Jewish stories directly featured from The Jewish Book Council.
Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers.
See you there!
Stay tuned for Not Your Bubbe’s latest releases for the Autumn and Winter season. You will want to secure these fabulous reads and join us for the discussion. Updates coming soon.
— See you there

Calling all bibliophiles: Do you like to read between the wines? 📚
If you’re looking for a group that celebrates a love of both books and a good drink, then you’re in the right place!
See the autumn | winter collection here
RSVP here!

Jewish Downtown, Boston Movie Series - Ushpizin
2026-09-30 19:00 - 21:00
Jewish Downtown Boston Movie Series features: Ushpizin
Jewish Downtown Boston Movie Series features: Ushpizin at The Boston Synagogue hosted by Young Professionals Benjamin & Sarah in partnership with BackRoom Boston.
Enjoy the film on a huge screen with immersive surround sound for a true theater-like experience. Plus, our unique downtown location is easy to reach by MBTA, and we offer both free parking and validated parking at the Cambridge Street Garage. And since the weather is finally on our side, come early to relax on the patio. Grab snacks and beverages, meet new people, and start some great conversations before the movie begins.
✨ What to Expect:

Feature film screening on a large screen with surround sound
A lively, social atmosphere in the heart of downtown Boston
A celebration of Jewish storytelling through film
Community gathering before and after the movie

Whether you’re deeply connected to Jewish culture or just love great independent films, this evening promises laughs, insight, and a memorable night out.
🎬 Grab your seat and join us for our Summer series: Jewish downtown movie culture through Film — where stories come alive on screen and in community.
Ushpizin
September 30 @ 7:00 PM
Moshe and Malli, an Orthodox Jewish couple in Jerusalem, are childless and without means to celebrate the weeklong holiday of Succoth. After much prayer, they receive unexpected money, and Moshe is told about an abandoned shack where he and Malli can properly observe the holiday and receive guests. However, they are visited by two ex-convicts with an unexpected link to Moshe’s past, and the celebration becomes a series of emotional trials.
It is going to be a great series we look forward to having you join us.
REFRESHMENTS: Popcorn, Pizza, Movie Munchies & Beverages
Secure your seat now!

Bloom and Become with Jennifer Liff
2026-10-18 14:00 - 17:00
Bloom and Become with Jennifer Liff and allow your visions to blossom with terracotta flower pots.

Explore themes of renewal, growth, and possibility in this immersive 3-hour expressive arts workshop. Using a plant pot as your canvas, you’ll create a three-dimensional vision board that reflects your hopes, intentions, and dreams for the season ahead.
Through guided reflection and creative expression you’ll leave with a living reminder to nurture both your plant and your personal growth. No artistic experience is necessary—just a willingness to explore and create.
When:
October 18th 2:00-5:00PM
About Jennifer Liff:
Jennifer is an expressive arts therapy educator and group facilitator with a deep curiosity about the intersection of creativity, psychology, and spirituality.
The arts have been part of her life for as long as she can remember. As a child, she was imaginative and creative—writing stories, making jewelry, and choreographing her own dance moves. Her parents were painters and music lovers, so she grew up immersed in the arts, regularly attending museums, Broadway shows, and ballets. Her earliest and happiest moments are rooted in creative expression.
Like many people, she eventually set creativity aside, absorbing the belief that adulthood and responsibility leave little room for imagination and play—and that only the “talented few” are allowed to create. A few discouraging comments only reinforced these beliefs, and creativity went quiet for a time.
Nonetheless, the impulse to make and explore never fully disappeared. Through her studies in psychology and the arts, Jen rediscovered creativity and came to understand it as essential to mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Now, as a “recovering creative,” Jen is committed to living a creative life and teaching others to do the same.
Jen offers online and in-person arts-based courses and workshops grounded in expressive arts therapy, which focuses on the process over the product. These experiences support self-discovery, emotional expression, and a return to creativity without pressure or perfection. She invites you to explore what’s here and step back into the creative waters.
Education & Training:

B.A. in Art History
Professional Teaching Credential
M.A. in Spiritual Psychology
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling (Expressive Arts Therapy specialization)
Creative Journal Expressive Arts Method (CJEA) Practitioner

Examples of the flower pots you can create!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bloom-and-become-tickets-1997486728576

Not Your Bubbe Book Club Discussion of The Anatomy of Exile by Zeeva Bukai
2026-10-19 19:00 - 21:00
Not Your Bubbe Book Club Hosts Discussion of The Anatomy of Exile by Zeeva Bukai
Join us for a wild night of intrigue At Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club – it’s not your grandma’s book club, that’s for sure!

Venue: The Boston Synagogue
Date: October 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a lively discussion of The Anatomy of Exile by Zeeva Bukai at The Boston Synagogue. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this captivating story together. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers. You do not want to miss this.
See you there!
“In her tremendous, transporting debut, The Anatomy of Exile, Zeeva Bukai demonstrates the unique power of literature to transcend borders, excavate our shared humanity, and perhaps even heal.he novel begins in the aftermath of the Six-Day War, when Ashkenazi sabra Tamar Abadi learns that her Mizrahi sister-in-law, Hadas, has been killed. The presumed terrorist attack turns out to be a tragic, final act of passion in a decades-old secret love affair between Hadas and a Palestinian poet.”
Read more here: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/the-anatomy-of-exile

Jewish Downtown, Boston Movie Series - Spaceballs
2026-10-21 19:00 - 21:00
Jewish Downtown Boston Movie Series features: Spaceballs
Movie Night is hosted by Young Professionals Benjamin & Sarah in partnership with BackRoom Boston, with The Boston Synagogue as our venue.
Enjoy the film on a huge screen with immersive surround sound for a true theater-like experience. Plus, our unique downtown location is easy to reach by MBTA, and we offer both free parking and validated parking at the Cambridge Street Garage. And since the weather is finally on our side, come early to relax on the patio. Grab snacks and beverages, meet new people, and start some great conversations before the movie begins.
✨ What to Expect:

Feature film screening on a large screen with surround sound
A lively, social atmosphere in the heart of downtown Boston
A celebration of Jewish storytelling through film
Community gathering before and after the movie

Whether you’re deeply connected to Jewish culture or just love great independent films, this evening promises laughs, insight, and a memorable night out.
🎬 Grab your seat and join us for our Summer series: Jewish downtown movie culture through Film — where stories come alive on screen and in community.
Spaceballs
October 21 @ 7:00 PM
In Spaceballs, heroic mercenary Lone Starr (Pullman) and his alien sidekick Barf (Candy) rescue Princess Vespa (Zuniga) of the planet Druidia and her droid, Dot Matrix (Yarnell, voiced by Rivers), from being captured by the Spaceballs, led by President Skroob (Brooks), who wants to use Vespa as ransom to obtain Druidia’s air for their own planet. However, the heroes get stranded on a desert moon, where they encounter the wise Yogurt (also Brooks), who teaches Starr about the metaphysical power known as “the Schwartz.” Meanwhile, Spaceball commanders Dark Helmet (Moranis) and Colonel Sandurz (Wyner) lead the search for them, but are hindered by their own incompetence.
It is going to be a great series we look forward to having you join us.
REFRESHMENTS: Popcorn, Pizza, Movie Munchies & Beverages

Shul Night at the MFA
2026-10-29 18:00 - 21:00
Shul Night at the MFA:Rembrandt and the Jews in the Dutch Republic with a curated talk by Michael Weingarten

Event Details:

Thursday, October 29 6:00 PM Meet at the MFA for casual get together with optional dinning and schmooze at New American Cafe | in the Ruth & Carl J Shapiro courtyard| level 1 before heading to the exhibit hall.
7:00 PM: Head to the exhibit gallery for a Curated Talk: Rembrandt and the Jews of Amsterdam | Led by Michael Weingarten, a dedicated historian, Boston Synagogue board member, and author of two fascinating books chronicling our community: History of The Boston Synagogue 1888-2013: A 125th Anniversary Celebration and Preservation, Intrigue and Property: Dissolving Boston’s Vilna Shul Congregation 1985-2001.
7:30 PM: Explore the MFA’s special exhibition, Reality and Imagination: Rembrandt and the Jews in the Dutch Republic, alongside other museum galleries at your own pace.

Please take note: MFA admission and food fees are not included by the shul
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shul-night-at-the-mfa-tickets-1997898534298?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Abiding - Zach Mayer Album Release Concert
2026-11-08 16:00 - 18:00
Celebrate with Zach Mayer for the release of his new album, “Abiding,” featuring Rabbi David Curiel
What happens when we stay just a little longer with what we’d rather avoid? Abiding, the debut album from Rabbi David Curiel, explores this territory through songs that are by turns tender, questioning, and rollicking—music for finding our way from fragmentation toward wholeness.

These songs emerged from years of healing work: grief rituals, medicine ceremonies, and the daily discipline of presence in an often overwhelming world. Recorded with producer Zach Mayer, the album holds a simple understanding—we can’t heal what we won’t face, but we’re not meant to face it alone.
Join David, Zach, and friends for an intimate concert in the round, journeying through the full album beginning to end. This is more than a performance—it’s a shared space to breathe, to feel, and to abide together with what matters most.

Read About Zach Mayer Here

REGISTER HERE

Not Your Bubbe Book Club Discussion of Always Carry Salt by Samantha Ellis
2026-11-09 19:00 - 21:00
Not Your Bubbe Book Club Hosts Discussion of Always Carry Salt: A Memoir of Preserving Language and Culture by Samantha Ellis

Join us for a wild night of intrigue At Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club – it’s not your grandma’s book club, that’s for sure!
Venue: The Boston Synagogue
Date: November 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a lively discussion of Always Carry Salt at The Boston Synagogue. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this captivating story together. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers. You do not want to miss this.
See you there!
“In Always Carry Salt, Samantha Ellis crafts an urgent and tender exploration of cultural extinction, maternal inheritance, and the impossible task of preserving what history threatens to erase. Ellis is the daughter of Jewish refugees who fled Iraq — her father in 1951, a decade after the Farhud, and her mother in 1971. Ellis grew up in London surrounded by the distinct sounds of Judeo-Iraqi Arabic, a language now teetering on the edge of oblivion.”
Read more here: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/always-carry-salt-a-memoir-of-preserving-language-and-culture

Not Your Bubbe Book Club Discussion of I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander
2026-12-07 19:00 - 21:00
Not Your Bubbe Book Club Hosts Discussion of I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander
Join us for a wild night of intrigue At Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club – it’s not your grandma’s book club, that’s for sure!

Venue: The Boston Synagogue
Date: December 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a lively discussion of I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander at The Boston Synagogue. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this captivating story together. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers. You do not want to miss this.
See you there!
“Beth Kander’s I Made It Out Of Clay has all the makings of a classic holiday rom-com: a nuanced female protagonist, several fun side characters, and a mysterious love interest that just might be too good to be true. The main character, Eve, struggles to balance her work and personal life; she yearns to simply turn her phone off and keep it off forever, something that may resonate with readers. Chapter one finds Eve stressed about her upcoming fortieth birthday, because of her lack of a love life, instability at work, and a couple creepy incidents that are probably nothing, right?”
Read more here: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/i-made-it-out-of-clay

Not Your Bubbe Book Club Discussion of Hunting in America by Tehila Hakimi
2027-01-11 19:00 - 21:00
Not Your Bubbe Book Club Hosts Discussion of Hunting in America by Tehila Hakimi
Join us for a wild night of intrigue At Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club – it’s not your grandma’s book club, that’s for sure!

Venue: The Boston Synagogue
Date: January 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a lively discussion of Hunting in America by Tehila Hakimi at The Boston Synagogue. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this captivating story together. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers. You do not want to miss this.
See you there!
“Hunting in America, Tehila Hakimi’s debut novel, is a haunting story about a woman attempting to escape her past and create a new identity. With restrained and beautiful prose, Hakimi spins an intoxicatingly strange tale about an Israeli woman relocating to America, learning to hunt, and possibly losing her grasp on reality.”
Read more here: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/hunting-in-america

Not Your Bubbe Book Club Discussion of Soon by You by Dahlia Adler
2027-02-08 19:00 - 21:00
Not Your Bubbe Book Club Hosts Discussion of Soon by You by Dahlia Adler
Join us for a wild night of intrigue At Not Your Bubbe’s Book Club – it’s not your grandma’s book club, that’s for sure!

Venue: The Boston Synagogue
Date: February 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Join us for a lively discussion of Soon by You by Dahlia Adler at The Boston Synagogue. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this captivating story together. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your thoughts and connect with fellow book lovers. You do not want to miss this.
See you there!
“Ari Becker, the editor of a spicy romance site, is exhausted by the prospect of attending yet another wedding, especially the one for which she’s asked to take out her ​“trashy piercings.” Yes, she’s always the bridesmaid, never the bride, but marriage isn’t on her radar. She’s worried about how her tight friend group has started to slip away into the world of wives while she’s trying to survive wearing impossibly high heels.”
Read more here: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/soon-by-you
