Next week, on the first weekend in November, we are looking forward to our annual scholar-in-residence Kallah (learning gathering).  We are excited this year to have Dr. Rachel Anisfeld, a Rabbinics scholar and member of our Capital District community.  Dr. Anisfeld will be teaching on Midrash, her original area of study, as well as on one of her major interests --  Hasidut, the writings of the Hasidic masters.  It is interesting to note that, though it is today associated with strict Orthodoxy, Hasidism started out as a radical break from Judaism as it was understood at the time.  Its founder, the Baal Shem Tov, and his successors taught that Talmud scholarship and Halakhic exactitude (often available mainly to the wealthy elite) were not the only  paths to God, that the poor, uneducated Jew could please God just as much with simple prayer and the yearnings of his heart.  Such an attitude drew the ire of many rabbis, especially the Vilna Gaon, who continued to emphasize Torah scholarship as the highest value.  The Mitnagdim ("opponents") mocked Hasidim and in some communities even had them excommunicated.  Hasidic spiritual teaching remains inspiring to many non-Orthodox Jews today, and sometimes evinces a radical theology that belies Hasidut's current reputation.

I want to encourage you to attend some or all of the sessions.  I also want to put in a plea for our annual Kallah.  Those who have run it in the past are no longer able to do so (and I give them a big thank you), and if we do not find successors this will be our last scholar-in-residence weekend.  I really believe that learning and broadening our Jewish horizons should be a central value at Agudat Achim, and that our community would be much the poorer without this annual event.  If you have interest in becoming involved with the Kallah, please let me or our programming chairs - Steve Schmidt and Rob Fox - know.  Thanks to all of you in advance.

By Hillary Fink

As you can see from the photos, a little bit of - OK, a lot of - rain did not put a damper on the Carrot Festival festivities on October 14.  Thanks to our fabulous volunteers, everything ran smoothly and went off without a hitch; however, we were all relieved when the sun came out for the afternoon!

To thank all of the volunteers for all of their hard work, please join us for our second annual "Carrot Festival Shabbat" on November 3, which also happens to be during our Kallah weekend.  During the service, volunteers and committee members will be honored, and the annual Carrot Award will be given to.....You have to come to the service to find out who it is!

Extra special thanks go to the Carrot Festival Committee who has been hard at work since January to make our Carrot Festival a success:

Michael Delman

Randy Fox

Aviva Hallenstein

Anita Merims

Jack Mintzer

Howie Mittleman

Eric Moses

Rise´ Routenberg

Linda Shapiro

Paul Westheimer

Rose Westheimer

Sharon Wohl

Linda Woodward-Stein

Ann Zonderman

 

Photos By Neil R. Shapiro

You can view all of Neil's fantastic photos here or by clicking on the pictures themselves. 

It was a beautiful morning on Sunday, September 9, for Men's Club to perform their annual cleanup of the synagogue grounds.  Nearly 20 members and their families participated.  The entrance way, Caterer's Lane, and some of the front grounds were cleared of overgrown bushes and limbs.  This hard work supports our having a welcoming appearance to congregants and guests while opening needed parking spaces for the High Holy Days and Carrot Festival.  At the end of the day, the group still had sufficient energy to relocate all of the High Holy Day machzors from the basement to the social hall in preparation for services.

During a short break in the grounds cleanup, a meeting was held with the Men's Club members.  Mitch Kessler was elected president and Dick Mendelson treasurer.  Multiple ideas for future Men's Club programs were discussed.  Please look for upcoming program announcements.  If you have not already, be sure to send in your Men's Club membership form.  

We invite everyone to join us for a weekend of Jewish learning with Dr. Rachel Anisfeld, Congregation Agudat Achim's Kallah speaker for 2012. Dr. Anisfeld holds a PhD in Rabbinic Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, and  teaches and writes on a wide variety of Jewish subjects, including parsha, Talmud, and Hasidic literature. She is the author of Sustain Me With Raisin-Cakes: Pesikta deRav Kahana and the Popularization of Rabbinic Judaism (Brill, 2009), and writes a weekly parsha blog at http://parshathoughtsmore.blogspot.com.

The theme of this year's Kallah is "Feeling Connected: To God, to the Past, to Each Other," and will explore a range of Jewish writings on the theme of connectedness. The opening talk will be Friday night November 2 at 8:30 (after 7:30 services) and will discuss the connections between Abraham and the generations of the Jewish nation that Abraham was promised would follow him. The second talk will be Saturday night November 3 at 7:30pm (following Havdalah services at 7pm) and will discuss the Piaseczner Rav and his advice on mindfulness and connection to God. It will be followed by a dessert reception. The third talk will be at a Men's Club breakfast on Sunday November 4 - breakfast at 10:00, talk at 10:45 - and will discuss the essential interconnectedness of Klal Yisrael, the congregation of the Jewish people. All talks are free and open to the public; please make reservations for the Saturday night reception and the Men's Club breakfast. 

More information about the Kallah is available at the synagogue and on the Agudat Achim website. We look forward to connecting with you at all three of these events!

By Elyse Wohl

If you haven't been out to the playground lately, then you probably do not know that changes have been made. I took this on as my Girl Scout Gold Leadership Award Project because I noticed a few years ago that some of the playground equipment was in a state of disrepair and not totally safe for the children. So, I researched playgrounds and with the help of my advisors, Steve Cohen and my dad, Howard Wohl, I came up with a proposal to change some of the equipment and fix other things. The Girl Scout Council approved my proposal and then the real work began. When I knew exactly what I wanted to do and purchase, I needed to secure the funding to complete the project. My budget was about $1500.

I applied to the Educational Endowment Committee for this money. The committee really liked my project and offered me $500, plus they said they would give me another $500 if I could raise $500 on my own. That's when I reached out to Women's Network, Men's Club and Rabbi Ted. Through their generosity, I was able to raise the $500 needed to get the matching $500 from Educational Endowment.

At this point, we were able to order the replacement equipment and get the other necessary materials to complete all of all the work.  The working part of the project took most of the summer and into the fall to complete because we were dealing with holidays and Shabbat when we could not work, weather delays and busy schedules. However, in the end it was all worth the hard work we put in. The children now have a new swing set and a new tire swing; the yellow twisty slide has been moved and cleaned; the cracks in the wood frames have been filled and the wood re-stained; the metal pieces of the old set have been re-painted; the fence has been straightened back out; the bench has been re-stained and the rubber ground cover has been re-distributed.

I would like to thank everyone who helped with this project. This includes my advisors, Steve Cohen and Howard Wohl, the girls in my troop and their parents who helped on the work-day, Dan Banowetz (a parent from the RiverRun Montessori School), Gary Dayter, my brother Mitchell and his friend Mark Dittmar, Rabbi Ted, Women's Network, Men's Club and the Educational Endowment Committee.

The playground will be officially opened and re-dedicated on Sunday November 4 at 10:00 a.m. Please join us.

I hope that the children get lots of enjoyment out of the playground for years to come.

What is Reyut all About?

Many congregants have asked what Reyut is all about, and when someone suggested that an article about Reyut should be included in the bulletin, the timing was perfect!  I contacted Linda Birnby, (Reyut's co-chair with Denise Narpastek and Ruth Fraster) to share some stories about what they do.   

•  5 Shiva meals were prepared for grieving families.
•  80 Reyut volunteers made 120 hospital, home and nursing  home visits.
•  93 rides were provided.
•  56 Reyut cards and flowers were delivered for Rosh Hashanah.
•  45 Reyut Purim packages were delivered.

TO REQUEST A REYUT OR FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE PLEASE CALL 393-9211

SERVICES OFFERED BY REYUT/FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING:

REYUT PROVIDES:

• transportation when needed to synagogue, doctor appointments, and other activities
• food following a funeral.
• pick up and return of synagogue library books.
• food when needed.
• hospital visits.
• homebound visits for holidays and as requested.
• nursing home visits.
• holiday celebrations for the developmentally disabled.
• other support for members as needed

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING (an arm of Reyut) PROVIDES:

• health educaton
• personal health counselor
• referral agent / liaison
• development of support groups
• coordination of volunteers

By Sylvia Winer

The Alan Westheimer Memorial Scholarship is waiting for you if you are planning to or would like to go to Israel!   To be eligible for an award, applicants must be:

• in high school or college
• part of a family affiliated with Congregation Agudat Achim
• applying to a high school or post high school educational and/or work program in Israel

Guidelines and applications are available from Education Director Jack Mintzer and are considered on a rolling basis from March until October. Recipients of the award will be asked to make a report of the trip during a Shabbat service. Applications should be made early to allow time for trip arrangements.

The scholarship was established by the Westheimer family and friends in memory of Alan Westheimer, a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture, who had a deep love for Israel. Alan visited and lived in Israel on a kibbutz.  He was the son of congregants Rose and Paul Westheimer. 

Please call Rabbi Ted Lichtenfeld or Sylvia Winer with any questions.

Serving on the committee are: Rose and Paul Westheimer, Arthur Friedson, Murray Jaros, Jack Mintzer, Rabbi Ted, and Sylvia Winer. 

Donations:

September:

ADULT EDUCATION FUND

In honor of Steve Berk's 30 years of memorable lectures

        Alice Rubenfeld

ALAN WESTHEIMER EDUCATION IN ISRAEL FUND

Speedy recovery to Ben Hertzendorf

        Harvey Mendelson

BIBLICAL GARDEN

In appreciation of our High Holiday Aliyah

        Eileen  & Jeff Handelman

In honor of Josie Kivort's excellent work for our Biblical Garden

         Kathy & Carl Englebardt

In honor of Sara Gaven's promotion

        Jill & Ron Bucinell

In loving memory of my grandparents Mary & Theodore Keesal

        Jill & Ron Bucinell

In memory of Frederic Vinick

        Bobbie & Mark Moses

In memory of Jules Pomerantz

        Jill & Ron Bucinell

In memory of Sam Routenberg

        Risé & Larry Routenberg

In memory of Evelyn Olin

         Jan Altschuller

CEMETERY FUND

In memory of Bill Altschuller

        Jan Altschuller

GENERAL FUND

In honor of Ellin & Bill Friedman's 50th anniversary

          From Loving Friends & Family

Mazal tov to Ellin & Bill Friedman on their 50th anniversary

        Jan Altschuller

In appreciation of Rabbi Ted for Brooke's Baby Naming

        Steve & Mindy Lam

In honor of Bill Rowen's Birthday

        Stephen & Louise Golub

In honor of Elan Shiang's Bar Mitzvah

        Marilyn & Clifford Elson

In honor of our High Holiday Aliyah

        Risé & Larry Routenberg

In honor of Steve Berk's 30 years of lectures

        Marilyn & Clifford Elson

In honor of the birth of Brooke Lam

        Marilyn & Clifford Elson

In honor of the marriage of Ruth Brown & Gabriel Tabak

        Roberta & Don Steiner

        Marilyn & Clifford Elson

In honor of ushering on Rosh Hashanah

        Esther & David Eisner

In memory of Annette Sternbach

        Kathyleen Guarnier

In memory of Isaac Gelfand

        Edith Takiff

In memory of my husband, Herb Goldstein

        Sally Goldstein

In memory of my parents, Murray & Esther Rappaport

        Steven Rappaport

In memory of Shirley Flecker

       Lee Strichman

HEALTH/ACCESSIBILITY FUND

In memory of Hana Moise

        Sally & Sam Moise and family

In memory of Minnie Winer

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

JUDAICA FUND

In memory of Charlotte Mollen

        Alice & Richard Toll

In memory of Lillian Shaller

        Alice & Richard Toll

PRAGER MUSIC FUND

In honor of Ruth & Gabe's marriage

        Kathy & Carl Englebardt

PRAYER BOOK FUND

In memory of Bernard Stein

        Martin, Susanna & Jessica Stein

In memory of Harold Goodcoff

        David & Cherrie Goodcoff

In memory of my beloved mother and father Rose Barsuk Davidovitz and Abraham Chaim Davidovitz

        Anita Behn

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

In memory of Esther Soffer

        Marilyn Soffer

In memory of Fred Vinick

        Ann & Paul Zonderman

In memory of Harry Soffer

        Marilyn Soffer

In memory of Pauline Soffer

        Marilyn Soffer

In memory of Rose Lewis

        Louise & Paul Lewis

To Thank Rabbi Ted

        Marilyn Soffer

REYUT

In appreciation of Reyut of Women's Network the beautiful plant delivered by Jessica Many wishing us a Happy, Healthy New Year

          Muriel & Wilbur Shapiro

In honor of all of the Reyut volunteers

        Lin Eisner

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. William Friedman

        Jo Freedman

SADIE SCHNEIDER ROSH CHODESH LEARNING FUND

In memory of our father, Victor Rosenthal

       Phyllis & Arnold Ritterband

October:

ADULT EDUCATION FUND

In memory of Inda Posner

        Ann & Alan Posner

In memory of Johanna Levine

        Marlene & Rich Mendelson

ANITA MERIMS FUND

In memory of Mera Volpov

        Polina Peselev

BIBLICAL GARDEN

In commemoration of my "second Bar Mitzvah" at the Kotel

        Martin Siegel

In honor of our granddaughters Olivia, Mirielle, Abigaile & Samantha

        Josie & Stanley Kivort

In honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Arthur & Anita Merims

        Martin Siegel

In honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Stephen & Roberta Berk

        Martin Siegel

In honor of the birth of our grandson, Sebastian

        Risé & Larry Routenberg

In memory of my parents, Gladys & Meyer Goldman

           Josie & Stanley Kivort

In memory of Anne Brilliant

        Arleen & Mike Brilliant

CATERING FUND

In honor of As You Like it Catering

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

CEMETERY FUND

In memory of Albert Carol

        Lillian Ornston

In memory of Anna Seftel

        Leroy & Patricia Seftel

EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND

In memory of Selma Rapaport-Pressman

        Judith Brown

ERIC BILGORE GOLD YOUTH FUND

In memory of Katheryn & Barry Gold

        Lenore Jacobson

GENERAL FUND

In honor of Elan Shiang's Bar Mitzvah

        Judith Brown

In honor of Sid Friedson's 90th birthday

        Harriet Posner

In honor of the marriage of Ruth Brown & Gabe Tabak

        Lois & Dick Mendelson

        Este & Sam Sylvetsky

In loving memory of my big brother Merhai Bat Bulor

        Svetlana & Yasha Iskhakov

In memory of Annette Sternbach

          Barby & Stan Harris

In memory of Barby's father, David Wallach

        Barby & Stan Harris

In memory of Ber ben Leiba Yuda Borodulin

        Zinaida & Yuriy Borodulin

In memory of Chana Naparstek

        Beth Nevins

In memory of David Takiff

        Edith Takiff

In memory of Harry Oshinisky

        Natalie & Bob Oshins

In memory of my father, Samuel Zellman

        Joanne Seltzer

In memory of my father, Abraham Marvin Konopko

        Deborah Konopko

In memory of Neal Trahan

        Rachelle Trahan

In memory of Solomon Tepper

        Cynthia & Clifford Tepper

HEALTH/ACCESSIBILITY FUND

Get well wishes to Ben Hertzendorf

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

In honor of if Ben and Adriane's 50th Anniversary

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

In honor of the engagement of Edith Takiff & Sadie Schneider's  grandson, Michael Schneider

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

JOSEPH COHEN MEMORIAL FUND

On the unveiling of the stone for Lil Cohen

        Sylvia & Herb Winer

LAURA SCHEINZEIT CEMETERY  BEAUTIFICATION FUND

In memory of Samuel Scheinzeit

        Jules Scheinzeit

In memory of Samuel Young

        Carole & Robert Feinberg

PRAGER MUSIC FUND

Best wishes to the entire congregation for a Happy,

Healthy & Peaceful New Year

        Gert Prager

In memory of Irwin Ratner

        Cheryl Ratner & Daughters

In memory of Julius Cohen

        Judith & Brad Ruthberg

In memory of my beloved husband, Murry (Morris) Prager

        Gert Prager

In memory of my beloved son, Edward Prager

        Gert Prager

In memory of Solomon Tepper

      Alice Buff Tepper

PRAYER BOOK FUND

In memory of David Sencer

        Roberta & Don Steiner

In memory of Isaac Sciaky

        Reed Corderman & Daniela Sciaky

In memory of Moshe Steiner

        Roberta & Don Steiner

In memory of Oscar Stein

        Martin, Susanna & Jessica Stein

In memory of Tillie Stein

        Martin, Susanna & Jessica Stein

In memory of Yetta Hochman

        Martin, Susanna & Jessica Stein

REYUT

In appreciation of Linda Birnby for her kindness

        Joyce Rhubin

In appreciation of Roberta & Don Steiner

        Ruth Fraster

SADIE SCHNEIDER ROSH CHODESH LEARNING FUND

In memory of Eva Hershenhorn Johnson

        Joyce Rhubin

In memory of Manuel Shulman

        Roz & Yak Marx

In memory of Morris Weissberg

        Mishka Luft & Robert Weissberg

YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND

In honor of the birth of Rise' & Larry Routenberg's grandson

        Este & Sam Sylvetsky