Fostering Jewish Values for 25 Years

In March of 2001, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel opened its doors as a new model of community service and engagement in the end-of-life space. We are proud of our nearly 25 years embracing Jewish values and taking our place as a voice and resource in New York, regionally and nationally.

We are excited to mark our 25th anniversary over the next year by presenting an expanding list of programs and initiatives elevating Jewish end-of-life topics.

We invite you to join us during this milestone anniversary for Plaza and the community.


Explore Our
25th Anniversary Programs and Initiatives

In-Person & Virtual Events

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel is dedicated to serving the community. Throughout the year, we host and partner with community organizations to offer in-person and virtual events to bring people together for education and support. Check out our upcoming and past events below.

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Visits to New York Area Cemeteries
Spring, Summer and Fall 2025

In service to the community, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel continues to offer transportation and visits to New York area cemeteries — in partnership with local organizations — as we approach our 25th anniversary.

  • Summer 2025, in partnership with DOROT
  • September 16 and 17, 2025 — In partnership with Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Details to be announced.


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Co-sponsored Film Series with
Plaza Jewish Community Chapel
and Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Past Event

Co-sponsored series and talkbacks at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, presented in partnership with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel. Use the discount code plaza20 for 20% off tickets to these three films: I Am Ready, Warden, "3", and Death and Taxes.

I Am Ready, Warden
Past Event
In the days leading up to his execution, Texas death row prisoner John Henry Ramirez seeks redemption from his victim's son; an elegy about the death penalty where a prisoner seeks forgiveness.

Learn More


"3"
Past Event
The film follows an artist and art teacher, played by Caleb Ruminer, who has lost his creative spark, his job, and his father. Just as he's questioning everything, a mysterious stranger—played by Eric Roberts—appears and delivers a life-altering message: he only has three days left to live.

Learn More


Death and Taxes
Past Event
A documentary about wealth, inequality, and the American Dream, viewed through the lens of a father and son at odds over what kind of inheritance to leave our kids and our country.

Learn More


Forever Endeavor
Past Event
Plaza kicks off its 25th anniversary with a co-sponsored film series, starting Thursday, May 15, at 7 PM. In partnership with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and the Wechsler Center for Modern Aging, the first screening features Forever Endeavor, an 89-minute documentary exploring humanity’s quest for legacy. A Q&A with co-director Mary Anne Rothberg follows. Join us at the Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave.


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Exit Strategy Live!
October 23, 2025 | In-Person

A live podcast recording event featuring Alix Strauss — the award-winning author of The Joy of Funerals, as well as a trend, culture and lifestyle journalist and frequent contributor to The New York Times — with Stephanie Garry, Plaza’s Executive Vice President of Communal Partnerships and host of the Exit Strategy podcast. Our event at Plaza will include a book reading and Q&A.

RSVP for the Event


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Grieving the Unseen:
Care, Ritual, and Response to Perinatal Loss
Past Event

A webinar to educate professionals on infant and perinatal loss and share resources for support. It is geared toward professionals, but open to all who wish to attend.

Sponsored by Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, the New York Board of Rabbis, National Council of Jewish Women New York, Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, UJA-Federation, I Was Supposed To Have A Baby, and National Bikur Cholim Conference.

Click here to view


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25 Years of Palliative Care
Friday, November 21
Past Event

A three-panel program for professionals and the public, presented jointly by Plaza Jewish Community Chapel and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.

Learn more


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25 Years of Service Event
May 2026

Get ready to celebrate our 25th Anniversary!
Stay tuned for exciting details coming soon.


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Let's Talk: The Cost
of Dying Jewishly

Past Event

The cost of dying is not inexpensive, despite what Jewish wisdom has to say about the importance of modest burials. The costs (both financial and emotional) can create a shock for those who are unprepared. The conversation explored different approaches to mitigating these costs and avoiding decisions made in crisis or deep grief.


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Life, Legacy and Care
Navigating End-of-Life Conversations

Past Event

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel took part in a special program on April 27th, 2025, hosted by East Midwood Jewish Center in collaboration with The Jewish Board.

Brought to you by: The Jewish Board, East Midwood Jewish Center, Shomer Collective, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, and LiveOnNY.


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At the Intersection of Death and Grief:
Why Our Work Matters More Than Ever

Past Event


Plaza Jewish Community Chapel continues to support meaningful conversations around grief and healing. At a recent event at the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan, Rabbi Amy Bolton and Stephanie Garry shared insights on the unpredictable, sacred journey of grief—and how mourning should be honored, not fixed, through compassionate community and understanding.

Exit Strategy Podcast Episodes

End-of-life conversations are often easy to avoid, but on Exit Strategy, host Stephany Garry and her guests work to elevate and normalize these important topics.

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Plaza@25: The Vision and The Impact
March 2025


In this special episode as Plaza moves toward its 25th anniversary, Exit Strategy Host Stephanie Garry, Plaza’s Executive Vice President of Communal Partnerships, speaks with Plaza’s Founding Board Chair Alfred Engelberg, an instrumental force bringing the vision of Plaza to reality … and growing its unique impact.

Listen Now


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Plaza@25: Building, Honoring and Serving Community
May 2025

Host Stephanie Garry, Plaza's Executive Vice President of Communal Partnerships, in conversation with Rabbi Roly Matalon, Senor Rabbi and Rosh Kehillah at B'nai Jeshurun in New York City, and a Founding and Current Board Member of Plaza Jewish Community Chapel.

Listen Now

Community Resources & Partnerships

Committed to supporting our community, we collaborate with various organizations to offer meaningful resources and assistance.

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Shabbat Services at New York Area Synagogues
2025-2026

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel will be present at Shabbat services at various New York area synagogues in 2025-2026.

Details to be announced.

Sign Up For Shabbat Reminders


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Explore Jewish Literature
on Grief and Resilience

Partnership with the Jewish Book Council — the longest- running organization devoted to supporting and celebrating Jewish Literature — showcasing books and authors on the subjects of end-of-life, grief, resilience and more.

Listen to Special Exit Strategy Episodes Created in Partnership with the Jewish Book Council

  • Grief and Joy, the Balance: In her recently published book — Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes — author Jessica Fein writes with eloquence, passion and universality about grief and joy … and the search for balance through the illness of her daughter, Dalia, and the everlasting aftermath of her loss, and life. In conversation with Exit Strategy Host Stephanie Garry, Jessica discusses this continuing, shifting balance within the context of love, resilience, and self-discovery.
  • Listen Now
  • The Grief of a Father: When his son Nadav died at the age of five, James G. Robinson was propelled into a journey of grief and a search for meaning that over time deepened his identity as a parent, his relationship to Jewish thought and tradition, and his view of the world he walks through every day. In conversation with Exit Strategy Host Stephanie Garry, James talks about this continuing and shifting process, and his 2023 book — More Than We Expected: Five Years with a Remarkable Child.
  • Listen Now

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Plaza Jewish Featured in Times of Israel

Death, Grief and Cheesecake
In a thought piece published in today’s Times of Israel, Stephanie Garry — Executive Vice President of Communal Partnerships at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel — writes about the elevation of end-of-life issues in the public dialogue … Plaza’s mission to advance such conversations ... and a recommitment to it as Plaza approaches it’s 25th year of service to the community in 2026.

Read Full Article

Videos


Plaza Jewish Community Chapel | Fostering Jewish Values for 25 Years


Temple Shaaray Tefila Marks the 25th Anniversary of Plaza Jewish


Erev Shabbat 03/20/26 •
Celebrating 25 Years of Plaza Jewish Community Chapel


Aliyot Across the City: Honoring Plaza at 25


Rise Up with Rebecca Seawright:
Speaking with Stephanie Garry of the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel

Follow us on social media for more updates!

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