Snow at the Western Wall yesterday
Weekly Announcements
January 11, 2013 - 29 Tevet 5773
President Mery Gross                           Rabbi Theodore Lichtenfeld

President's Message:

 

Our congregation now has a volunteer who is evaluating the condition of our ritual

Parochet Cover

objects, those that protect and decorate our Torahs, cover our chapel and sanctuary podiums, and serve as curtains or screens for our Holy Arks, to determine if they need to be repaired or replaced.  Our existing ritual artifacts are being inspected and measured, and research is being done on companies that produce them, as well as fabrics, designs and color options. 

 

Our volunteer is no other than Deborah Friedson, a retired visual arts educator, watercolor artist, author and speaker, who is enthusiastic about contributing to our congregation. And we are lucky to have her!

 

Bimah Cover

Deborah, who will be working closely with the Ritual Committee, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, and attended graduate school at Syracuse University.  Her current art work is primarily represented by Symmetry Gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY. Many of her original paintings are installed in various locations across the country, including: The National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Bethesda Maryland, Ophelia's Place in Syracuse, NY, Albany Medical Center's Melody Center in Albany, NY, and at our congregation. For more information on her accomplishments, visit her website at www.elephantherat.net.

 

If you are celebrating a simcha and are looking to make a donation to our

Torah Covers

congregation, consider our precious ritual objects and contact Deborah at 518-346-1449 or at [email protected].  She will be delighted to speak with you about her work and offer you an opportunity to contribute to the beauty of our bimahs. 

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Mery Gross

Upcoming Events
  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat: "Song of the Sea: God Images and Spirituality," led by Rabbi Rena H. Kieval on Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.  The program will be held at Alexandra Schmidt's home, 1202 Godfrey Lane, Niskayuna, NY  12309. Please call Alexandra at 393-7870 to let her know you are coming.
  • Please join Women's Network at our annual Women's Network Shabbat on wl Saturday, Jan. 19. Over 50 women are scheduled to participate in this very special service, which will be followed by a kiddush luncheon.  The luncheon will be co-sponsored by Women's Network in honor of all who participate in and support the organization and by Melissa and Lawrence Elbaum in honor of their grandmother Johanna Takaroff's 104th birthday!  
  • Friday night Chavurah - style Shabbat in celebration of Tu B'shevat. Jan. 25, 6 p.m. with Rabbi Ted. RSVP to the main office please!
  • Women's Network will join the other area sisterhoods in a special program at the Schenectady JCC on  Jan. 30, 7 p.m.  Wendy A. Rabinowitz, a Judaic artistan,  will talk about her work and her  exhibit: "Shalom: Weaving Threads of Peace" (weaving/mixed-media assemblages). The program is free, and refreshments will be served. 
  • New Adult Education class announced. Professor Steven Stark Riemer will be coming back to Agudat Achim with an exciting new course: "The Ancient Origins of Anti-Semitism." The course is scheduled to start on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Look for a special email with all the details coming soon. Questions, please contact Jack Mintzer
  • Thanks so much to those of you who helped bake hamentashen this week.  We  were very productive and had a lot of fun! We appreciate those who intended to come in next week but are happy to announce that we are ahead of schedule and this Sunday (9 a.m.-12 p.m. only) will be the last baking day.  Mark your calendars for packing Mishaloach Manot on Feb.19 and 20 at 7 p.m. and for delivering on Feb.22 and 24. Order forms will be mailed soon.  All orders must be received by Feb.15.  
  • Special Rosh Chodesh celebration on February 10, with Seven Women
    Lamed is for Learning
    Rabbis from the Capital District will be presenting Women's Voices - Prayer,Worship, Ritual.  The program will begin with minyan and will include a continental breakfast and lunch.  Cost of the program is $10.  Please send your check to Ruth Fraster, 1589 Clifton Park Road, Niskayuna, NY  12309 Questions, call Sharon Strosberg (377-2510).
  • Save the Date and start to get your stuffing hands in shape!  Our annual Hearts and Hummus program is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the home of Linda Shapiro.  This is an annual mitzvah project where we stuff and sew special heart-shaped pillows for the cardiac patients at Ellis Hospital. We plan to complete 36 pillows. 
Odds and Ends
  • Thank you to all those who contributed to our Jan. e-Newsletter. Please note that Monday, Jan. 21 is the submission deadline for our February issue. Be a writer, share a story, and record our history! 
  • Final call for your family picture: For those not available for the scheduled photography for the 120th Anniversary Journal, please drop off  or send to the synagogue office your photo to be included in the congregation family.  Deadline:  Jan. 20.

  • Women's Network is offering a playgroup, Thursdays 10 a.m.  - 11:30 a.m. This program is open to Jewish families in the community. Parents/caretakers should stay with the kids during the program. For more information, please call Judy Ben-Ami 393-3617 or email [email protected].  Donations of gently used toys are appreciated. Toys can be left in the coatroom.
  • Mah Jongg Cards on Sale! Please support Women's Network by purchasing 2013 Mah Jongg cards. Cards are on sale now through Jan. 18, 2013; large Cards - $8.00, regular Cards - $7.00.  Please make checks out to Women's Network and send to: Sara Gavens, 64 Victoria Court, Niskayuna, NY 12309, and include: number and size of cards, your name, address, phone  number, and email of each recipient. Please email or call Sara with any questions at [email protected] or 782-4652.
Religious School News
  • There is no school on Jan. 20, we are closed for the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.
  • Save the date Feb. 3 for the World Wide Wrap! This annual tradition is always a fun time and is a great opportunity to bond with your children. Details will be sent home soon.
Ritual

 

  • Starting Nov. 10, there will not be a 6 p.m. service on Saturdays. Instead we will daven right after Kiddush in the afternoon. This change is in effect until Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. 
  • Three minyanaires needed for Monday mornings to allow us to read Torah. Contact Sylvia Winer (393-8489) or Jessica Many (355-8286) if you have any questions.

Yahrzeits  Jan. 12 - 18

Bernard Winn, Bessie Amazon, Paula Cohen Crane, William Schlar, Dorothy R. Segel, Sarah Stillman, Edith Weissberg, Sarah Elizabeth Bernstein, Louis Buff, Louis Cohen, David Levy, Eva Mickelson, Gertrude H. Siegel, Rose Aberbach, Jonathan Barzach, Myron Finkelbrand, Abe Hertzman, Bella Morris, Helen Nelson, Ray Rosenberg, Pauline Schatz, Minnie Shapiro, Max Cornrich, Lillian Grossflam, Ray Hershman, Ivan Margolin, Michael Naparstek, Frank Berkman, Joseph Levy, Meir Berkowitz, Julius Dubester, Benice Bressler

 

candles burning
 
Video of the Week
Israeli immigrants learn jewelry-making
Israeli immigrants learn jewelry-making

 In the Community
Calling all middle and high school students!  Join Ilana Huz and Caitlan Swyer at Temple Israel for a teen drop in class to learn modern and popular Israeli (mostly line) dances! Whether you have never danced before, or have been doing Israeli dance for years, we guarantee you'll learn something new and have a great time!

There will be two 8-week sessions.  The first will be on Tuesday evenings, 7-8 p.m., beginning Jan. 8.  We hope to see you there!

Free for those enrolled in the Temple Israel dance program.  A $2.00  donation per class is suggested, but not required for others.

Questions?  E-mail Ilana at [email protected]

gs header
Click on the ad for all your shopping needs!
Join Our Mailing List

For more information, contact our Executive Administrator: Jeff Lurie