funky frum in NYC

It can be challenging to make a smooth transition from Jerusalem to New York. One finds herself in a totally different sociological landscape and with a plethora of well-advertised options, often, in my opinion, with too-narrow demographics. My advice: RSVP 'yes' to the invitations of friends, and explore the rest on an as-desired basis. You will be drawn to the communities of the individuals with whom you connect.

This post is for friends seeking to engage with the sub-sub-sub-culture I so love: politically-progressive, tikkun-olam-motivated, music-making, feminist, seeking respect and compassion for all people, wrangling with Yiddishkeit, observant Jews. They are, by definition, not a sect, but the individuals who inspire me, and sometimes move quietly through several circles, or sometimes affiliate strongly with one or two.

Please comment with your suggestions!

Without further ado, the communities I have interacted with this year and found fulfilling:

Synagogues
Upper West Side
B'nei Jeshrun, http://www.bj.org/
Carlebach, http://www.carlebachshul.org/
Charles Street Synagogue, 53 Charles St., West Village NY 10014 Tel 212-242-6425
(Call about Thurs. evening free concerts)
Darchei Noam, http://www.shearithisrael.org/
Hadar, http://www.kehilathadar.org/
Ramat Orah, http://www.ramathorah.org/
Romemu, http://romemu.org/
Sixth Street Synagogue, http://www.eastvillageshul.com/
Spanish-Portuguese, http://www.shearithisrael.org/

Brooklyn
Altshul Minyan, http://altshul.org/

Israel
JStreet, http://www.jstreet.org/
Encounter, http://encounterprograms.org/about_who.html

Jews and the Earth
Canfei Nesharim, http://www.canfeinesharim.org/
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, http://www.coejl.org/index.php
Hazon, http://www.hazon.org/
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, http://www.isabellafreedman.org/
Mitzvah Meat, http://mitzvahmeat.com/Home.html

Learning
American Jewish World Service, http://www.ajws.org/
Bet Midrash, Columbia University, http://www.hillel.columbia.edu
(Kraft Center, 4th floor)
Drisha, http://www.drisha.org/
Jewish Book Center of the Workmen's Circle, http://www.jewishbookcenter.com/
Jewish Theological Seminary, http://www.jtsa.edu/
Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, http://www.yctorah.org/
Yeshivat Hadar, http://www.mechonhadar.org/yeshivat-hadar1

Meditation, Kabbalah, and Healing
New York Jewish Healing Center, http://www.jcprograms.org/nyjhc/
Manhattan JCC, http://www.jccmanhattan.org/
(search for their meditation center and programs)
Brooklyn Center for Jewish Meditation, http://www.jmcbrooklyn.org/
Iyyun, http://iyyun.com/

For Women
Chabad women's events, http://chnightlife.wordpress.com/
Arts and Torah Association for Religious Artists, http://www.artsandtorah.org/content/performance-opportunities

Art
You're sure to meet a diverse and engaging crowd at any Hipsters and Hasids art opening: http://hipstersandhassids.wordpress.com/