When the Seder dishes are put away, families can go out to play. Chol Hamoed this year is limited to Thursday, April 17; Friday, April 18 until sundown; Motzei Shabbos, April 19; and Sunday, April 20 until sundown. So we’re highlighting activities that don’t take you too far from home. This week we focus on Brooklyn and Manhattan. Next week we look at where to go in New Jersey, and finally at New York state.
Jewish Brooklyn empties out substantially during Chol Hamoed. But, like Paris in August, what you lose in stores that are closed, you gain in accessibility and fewer traffic jams. Here are some suggestions for Brooklyn bound activities:
Luna Park at Coney Island
1000 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Coney Island
1-718-373-5862
http://lunaparknyc.com
Luna Park opens for the season on April 14, just in time for a Chol Hamoed trip. The Luna Park web site categorizes its 30 rides according to extreme thrill, high thrill, moderate thrill, and mild thrill. Admission to the park is free with several plans for purchasing ride tickets. New this year is the Thunderbolt, the first custom built roller coaster at Coney Island since 1927.
The New York Transit Museum
Corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street
Brooklyn Heights 1-718-694-1600
www.mta.info/museum
The museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights, presents exhibits, tours, film screenings and weekend workshops devoted to the past and future of New York’s regional Transportation Authority. Exhibits include Steel, Stone, and Backbone, the story of how New York’s subway system was built and On The Streets, an in-depth look at New York City’s trolleys and buses. The New York Transit Museum also operates a gallery annex in Grand Central Terminal. Museum is open Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed Sunday, April 20.
Jewish Music Lovers Have Several Concerts To Choose From.
Pesach Funtacular at Brooklyn College
Uncle Moishy, Miami Boys Choir, The Twins (from France)
Thursday, April 17
Two shows: 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Ticketholders only admitted to outdoor carnival with rides, games and food
Miami Boys Choir also at Brooklyn College at 7:45 pm. Additional show in Monsey, April 19, Motzei Shabbos at 9:50
8th Day and Mendy J
Shulamith Auditorium
1277 East 14th Street (off Avenue M)
Motzei Shabbos, Chol Hamoed, April 19, 9:50 p.m.
Avremel with Beri Weber and Dovid Gabay
Brooklyn College
Motzei Shabbos, Chol Hamoed, April 19th, 9:50 p.m.
Get more details at http://www.jewishtickets.com/index.cfm
MANHATTAN
Manhattan’s tourist spots are well known but always worth a reminder. Visit museums, stroll through a park, window shop or have a Chol Hamoed meal. Here are a few suggestions:
Central Park
There are 843 acres of greenery, recreation, and attractions stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West. The park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. with free admission.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/park-information/
The Intrepid Air and Space Museum
Pier 86 W 46th St and 12th Ave New York, NY 10036
1-212- 245-0072
The aircraft carrier Intrepid was launched in 1943 and decommissioned in 1974. In addition to exhibits of early airplanes, the museum features the Space Shuttle Pavilion with the Space Shuttle Enterprise and surrounding exhibits. For those who are not claustrophobic, visit the Growler submarine. You can also explore the Concorde, once the fastest way to cross the Atlantic.
intrepidmuseum.org
Museum of Natural History
Central Park W and 79th St, New York, NY 10024
1-212-769-5100
Open daily, the range of exhibits make this a good choice for families with children of varying, exhibits include the Butterfly Conservatory; Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs and “Mysteries of the Unseen World” in the IMAX theater.
http://www.amnh.org/
Chocolate Works
641 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
1- 212-799-3630
Man does not live by matzoh alone – unless it’s covered in certified for Pesach chocolate. The store also has chocolate covered macaroons and marshmallows, chocolate frogs and Seder plates.
https://www.chocolateworks.com/holidays/passover/index.php
Look for more Manhattan ideas at http://www.nycgo.com/
Several New York/New Jersey restaurants are open during Chol Hamoed. There is a great list at http://yeahthatskosher.com. The site was founded six years ago by Dani Klein, a social media marketing executive, to bring a personal touch to resources of interest to the kosher traveler. Klein told JLBC he will update the restaurant list and possibly add a Chol Hamoed activities section as Pesach gets closer.
If you have any suggestions for Chol Hamoed outings to share with JLBC readers, send to [email protected]. Next week: New Jersey
By Bracha Schwartz
