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February 2013 e-Newsletter
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President's Column
By Andrew Gavens
In recent weekly announcements I requested input on links to online sources for Jewish content and recommendations for books that each household should have on their shelves. There was more to these requests than simply a passing interest or desire to update the synagogue's webpage.
Judaism is not an intellectually passive religion. A questioning attitude is often required to better appreciate Torah, prayer, or customs. By delving deeper into the meaning, the intricacies and beauty are brought out. It is like attending an art show, concert, lecture, or even a sporting event. The more that you know ahead of time the greater the appreciation is of the actual activity. You can appreciate why the defense is trying to get the player to shoot with their left hand or why the oboe is in conflict with the violin. It is the understanding of these details that makes life more interesting. The same is true of Judaism. The more that you understand the more interesting it becomes.
The reason for the educational links is to assist everyone in our kehillah with their own personal learning path. Maybe you found a great link to help you light Shabbat candles or to understand the insight of a rabbinic passage in the weekly Torah portion. There is so much information available today. Our committees and staff try to bring an assortment of topics to further our education, but there is only so much that can be provided. Let's help each other to learn and appreciate what there is to know about our religion. It is hoped that the references will provide you with places to go for additional information, whether it be simple or complex. Please continue to provide them so that everyone in our kehillah can learn together.
"As you teach, you learn." (Midrash Tehilim)
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Rabbi's Column
By Rabbi Lichtenfeld
Because of "Thankgivukkah" this past year, there has been a lot of interest in the Jewish calendar and how it compares to the secular one. This is an appropriate topic for me to write a mini-primer on this month, for on the Hebrew calendar we will be marking 1st Adar, the "leap month" of the Jewish calendar. In fact, it is 1st Adar that is so considered, even though we might think of 2nd Adar as the extra month. The Jewish calendar at its base is a lunar one, thus the months begin with the slightest sliver of the moon and mid-month sees the full moon. Our sages consider Kiddush ha-hodesh, the declaring of the new month, a mitzvah incumbent upon the religious authorities of the era. But part of that mitzvah is to follow the Torah's directives that, for example, Pesah occur in the spring and Sukkot at the autumn storing of the harvest (at least in the northern hemisphere, where Eretz Yisrael is). The seasons of the year are determined by the solar calendar, which has about 365 days as opposed to the 354 of the lunar.
The solution to this since ancient times has been the "shanah me'uberet," "pregnant" year of thirteen months. For centuries, while the Sanhedrin (chief rabbinic court) existed in Eretz Yisrael, witnesses would come and attest to having seen the slight sliver of the moon, and the Rabbis would declare the new month. The Rabbis would determine on a yearly basis whether there was a need for an extra Adar and declare it accordingly. Ultimately, however, Rabbi Hillel II (not the famous Hillel), the head of the Sanhedrin in the fourth century CE, established a mathematical calculation of the calendar which could serve for Jews all over the world in place of the messy attestation of witnesses. In this arrangement, an extra month is added seven times in a 19-year span (years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, 19 of the cycle). Each month has either 29 or 30 days. Adar was chosen because in the Biblical calendar, it is the last month of the year, which begins with Nisan.
The Mishnah dictates that Purim, the most significant occasion in 1st Adar, occur in 2nd Adar. Thus 1st Adar is generally regarded as the "extra" month, and - for example - yahrzeits where the death occurred in a non-leap year are commemorated in 2nd Adar in a leap year. However, the date of Purim and Shushan Purim (14th and 15th of the month) are still regarded as minor celebratory occasions in 1st Adar as well.
There is a tradition that each of the twelve months of the year has a link to one of the twelve tribes. Therefore, some modern writers make a point to link 1st Adar when it occurs to Dinah, Jacob's only named daughter. They see a link between the "hiddenness" of 1st Adar, which appears only every few years, and the "hiddenness" of Dinah in the listing of the tribes, which also represents the lack of women's voices in the classical discussion of Jewish history. The technical details of the calendar, which might seem a dry topic to many, thus serve as fodder for the constant search for spiritual meaning.
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Tu B'Shevat
By Melissa Gavens
On Tu B'Shevat, our children performed their homemade play, proud of their knowledge and happy to show it off to eager parents and teachers. First they explained the New Year of the trees and how old the trees have to be before they can be harvested. Then they led the seder, showing everyone when each cup of wine should be sipped and when the different fruits should be eaten. Barley, wheat, pomegranates, dates, figs, grapes, and olives weren't the only stars of the night as our Religious School children clearly displayed! A big thank you goes out to Sharon Wohl for cooking, Jackie Rowen for shopping and set up, Judy Ben Ami for developing the program, and all the teachers who made this event so successful!
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Click here to see all of the pictures for the dinner.
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World Wide Wrap Huge Success!
By Jack Mintzer
On Sunday February 2, the small chapel was packed with parents, teachers, and children all with one purpose, to honor the tradition of putting on Tefillin. About 75 people attended this event which showcased the students' homemade Tefillin and Wrap song performance. If you missed it this year, put it on your calendar for next year. It is always the same day as Super Bowl Sunday and is a joint program between the Religious School and Men's Club. A special thank you goes out to Rise' Routenberg and Sharon Wohl who made the "shin" iced brownies for this special occasion.
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Want to see more pictures from the Wrap? Click on the picture.
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Funday Sunday held in January
By Hillary Fink
Our second annual Funday Sunday was held on January 26. The afternoon featured a pasta lunch, magic by Merdwin the Mediocre, arts and crafts, movie shorts, a sing-along with Kaitlin Spektor, and the creation of a beautiful mural depicting Tikkun Olam which was facilitated by KidzArt.
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Want to see all the pictures from Funday Sunday? Click on Merdwin.
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| Samantha Engelmyer Awarded Alan Westheimer Memorial Scholarship
The Alan Westheimer Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to award Samantha Engelmyer a stipend towards a trip to Israel under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. Samantha will be traveling with the Partnership 2Gether Teen Mission from February 13 until February 23 with students in grades 10-12 and will be spending time in Jerusalem and the Eshkol region. Among other activities, she and the other students will be volunteering on a kibbutz. For more information about the trip, click on this link.
Samantha is the daughter of Lynell and Eric Engelmyer. She attends Niskayuna High School and CAA Hebrew High School.
The Committee is comprised of Arthur Friedson, Andy Gavens (President), Murray Jaros, Jack Mintzer (Principal), Rose and Paul Westheimer and Sylvia Winer.
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The Story of Schenectady Mayor and American Jewish War Hero Captain Mordecai Myers
By Mery Gross
On Sunday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m., Men's Club is proud to present Neil B. Yetwin, author of a recently published book on Captain Mordecai Myers, a Jewish legislator, veteran of the War of 1812, and 19th century Schenectady mayor. The lecture is underwritten by the New York Council for the Humanities, and is free and open to the community. Men's Club will be serving breakfast before the presentation at 9:45 a.m. for $7 per person; breakfast reservations are due by March 4.
As a history teacher at Schenectady High School, Mr. Yetwin became interested in the life of Mr. Myers (1776-1871) when he heard that Myers had been a Jewish Schenectady mayor. A closer look at his long life and much research brought about fascinating information on Mr. Myers's accomplishments, including his heroism during the War of 1812. Mr. Yetwin's book, To My Son: The Life and War Remembrances of Captain Mordecai Myers, 13th United States Infantry 1812-1815 consists of Mr. Myers's memoirs about the War of 1812 and a long letter to his son in 1853. Published by the Old Fort Niagara Association, the book includes a forward written by Donald E. Graves, an authority on the War of 1812.
Mr. Yetwin has taught history, English and psychology for 32 years at  Schenectady High School. He has published nearly 100 articles in a variety of journals and newspapers, and has lectured extensively about local history at public schools, colleges, libraries, historical societies, places of worship and veterans' organizations throughout New York's Capital District and beyond. Mr. Yetwin was the 1989 recipient of the Louis B. Yavner Award of the New York State Regents for Excellence in Teaching the Holocaust and Civil Rights, and in 2005, he was named "Outstanding Citizen of Schenectady" by the Schenectady City Council for his research and presentations about local history. In addition, he was the 2011 recipient of the "Preservation of History Award" for his contributions to the African-American Burial Ground Project at Schenectady's Vale Cemetery. In 2013, his published research about escaped slave Moses Viney helped establish Vale Cemetery as a historic site in the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Mr. Yetwin has been a presenter for the New York Council for the Humanities speakers program since 2010.
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Save the Date for our Purim Festivities
By Melissa Gavens
Purim is coming, so get your costumes, groggers, and party hats ready! This festival celebrates our survival of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews in ancient Persia, as recorded in the Book of Esther. Please join us on Saturday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. for the Megillah reading, Purim dinner, an adult shpiel, raffles, prizes, and more.
Let the costume party begin! There will be many contests for best (and funniest) dressed for kids of all ages, including adults who are kids at heart, with  amazing prizes for all. Activities for children also include face painting and games. Adults, don't forget to have a little nosh and an adult drink from our snack table. The best part of the night is the adult Purim shpiel, where adults who have "noshed" too much show off their acting skills. It's always hilarious fun! Please come celebrate with us.
If anyone would like to read from the Megillah, please contact Steve Schmidt or Joe Shiang.
More information will be available soon.
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31 Congregants Helped Bake Over 7000 Hamantashen
By Hillary Fink
Information about our annual Mishloach Manot project will be arriving in every congregant's mailbox within the next two weeks. Participation in this is a great opportunity to perform two mitzvot at the same time. Even if you choose not to send greetings to people who you know, we are asking you to complete the form anyway so that we will know where to deliver your package and if you will need gluten free hamantashen.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all of the volunteers who baked OVER 7000 hamantashen between January 27 and January 30: Anita Merims, Risé  Routenberg, Sharon Wohl, Susan Axelrod, Gyle Ben-Ami, Jill Bucinell, Lynell Engelmyer, Hillary Fink, Randy Fox, Andy Gavens, Melissa Gavens, Sara Gavens, Mery Gross, Aviva Hallenstein, Barrie Handelman, Mark Handelman, Adriane Hertzendorf, Barry Kline, Cara Korn, Mishka Luft, Clara Mednick, Arlene Mendelson, Barbara Miller, Denise Naparstek, Karen Pearlman, Hildy Reich, Linda Shapiro, Esta Skoburn, Este Sylvetsky, Sylvia Winer, Mitchell Wohl, and Ann Zonderman.
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Religious School / Junior Congregation Open House Weekend is Coming
By Jackie Rowen
The first ever Religious School and Junior Congregation Open House Weekend is  March 1 and 2! The weekend promises to be a very exciting and educational one. On Saturday, March 1 families and children are invited to attend Junior Congregation. Come see what your kids can do and meet our amazing service leaders. Afterwards, a Lunch Bunch style Kiddush will be held where you can ask questions or just schmooze. The next day, Sunday, March 2, please join us in the Religious School. Parents will be welcome to attend their children's classes. Rabbi Ted, our teachers, Jack Mintzer (Principal), and Andy Gavens (Agudat Achim President) will be on hand to answer your questions. In addition, come learn about the Hebrew High School curriculum for post B'nai Mitzvah students. Beverages and breakfast noshes will be served throughout the morning.
The Open House Weekend isn't just for current families. If you or someone you know is considering our school, now is the best time to check us out. Our new tuition policy will allow members of other congregations to attend our school.
Our religious school embraces a new program of differentiated learning where every student can learn at their own pace. We provide flexible scheduling, independent learning centers, and small class sizes to allow for individualized attention. Special needs instruction is also available. Our Hebrew High School allows older students to continue their studies in a friendly and focused environment on Sunday mornings.
Keep an eye out for upcoming promotions, including an ad in The Jewish World on February 27. We hope to see you on March 1 & 2 for our Open House Weekend event!
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Men's Club Announces Comedy Night
By Joel Weingarten
Everyone needs a good laugh! Congregation Agudat Achim Men's Club presents a night of jokes and entertainment with comedian Eddie Clark. Come join the fun on Saturday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. Eddie Clark is a New York native and a Jewish African American who has been making crowds fall out of their seats with laughter since 1979. He has worked with ESPN, CMT, and PIX 106 "Waking up with The Wolf" morning show, to name a few. Please check out his biography to find out more! Tickets are $19 per person and $25 at the door. Please make checks payable to Congregation Agudat Achim and send them to 2117 Union St. Niskayuna, NY 12309. Light snacks will be served, but be careful not to laugh so hard that juice comes out of your nose!
To register online and reserve your seat use this link.
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Women's Network
By Judy Ben-Ami
Thank you to all who participated in Women's Network Shabbat on January 18. Many thanks to Hillary Fink, Sharon Wohl & Marilyn Elson for co-chairing this event, and to everyone who helped make that Shabbat a special day.
The Book Club will meet on Wednesday, February 12 at noon to discuss The Little Bride by Anna Solomon in the synagogue library.
The Torah Fund and Rosh Hodesh committees of Women's Network are planning a  joint program scheduled for Sunday, March 2. The morning will begin at 8:30 with Rosh Hodesh Adar Bet Minyan. At approximately 9:30, a continental breakfast will be served. The program, "Women of the Wall," will feature guest speaker Ariella Rosen who will talk about her experiences at the Kotel. The $20 minimum donation to attend, which will benefit the Torah Fund Campaign of the Women's League for Conservative Judaism, includes breakfast, the program & five Torah Fund greeting cards. A donation of $180 will also entitle guests to the annual Torah Fund pin.
RSVP to womens.network.agudat.achim@gmail.com
The Leora Judaica gift shop is having a Mid-Winter Blowout Sale, which includes 40% off almost everything in stock!!! Don't miss this opportunity to buy gifts for you, your family and for your friends!
Thank you to Ellen Carpenter, Kim Cohen, Cheryl Ratner & Arleen Brilliant for their help.
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| High Peaks Thank You
By Ben Bucinell
I just wanted to express my sincere appreciation to the congregation for all the support this fall as I worked to climb the 46 Adirondack High Peaks and raise money for The Wounded Warrior Foundation and The Navy Seal Foundation. Your support has reinforced in me what a special community raised me.
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Ben is pictured here at the summit of Cliff Mountain - his 46th High Peak.
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Fair Trade: Making Ethical Choices
By Hillary Fink
Please don't forget that our inaugural Fair Trade event is coming on Sunday, February 9. Besides hearing two fabulous speakers, visiting various vendors, and tasting and purchasing Fair Trade chocolate, you will have the opportunity to taste and purchase Agudat Achim's special custom blend of Dean's Beans coffee! You already tasted the coffee at the Chanukah dinner and suggested a name for it. You will find out the name of the coffee, along with the winner (who suggested the name) on Sunday!
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February Yahrzeits
February 1-7
Richard Palatsky, Arthur Friedson, Bernard Mollen, Hubert Ornston, Manahiem Siegal, Bersutskay Getl Benumovna, Dora Cohen, Irene Goldberg, Dr. Albert Freedman, Robert Levine, Gladys Golub, Pauline Goldstein, Mildred Sandler, Goldie Green, Sarah Sobolsky
February 8 - 14
Meir Ben Amoz, Rose Simon, Ben Edelheit, Helen Freedman, Mildred Shapiro,
Bernard Hoorwitz, Philip Seltzer, Karen Fink, Paul Clouthier, Philip Lefkowitz, Avrun Cohen, Bernard Gordon, Phyllis Stein
February 15 - 21
Gabriel Iskhakov, Benjamin Grosberg, Richard Fine, Simon Wakesberg, Sylvia Bramley, Harry Isenberg, Abe Hausler, Albert Rubins, Bess Krupa, Fannie Neuer, Alfred Rubins, Karl Cohen
February 22 - 28
Minnie Cohen, Sarah Rockower, Sylvia Tocker, Laura Garber, Ellen Pletman, Salek Rosendorn, Gussie Keen, Morris Rotman, Gustav Mittleman, Gladys Goldman, Rhea Keesal, Joseph Moses, Simon Paktor, Constance Schweinfurth, Leonard Woolf, Arthur Jerome Abrams, Arline LaVallee Winter, Goldie Bilgore, Blanche Berk
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November Donations
ADULT EDUCATION FUND
In appreciation of Ron Scharf and the Animal Hospital of Niskayuna for their kindness and sensitivity to us and our Bel
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
In memory of Randy Fox's father, Sidney Wolin
Katherine Englebardt
Jan Altschuller
Linda & Neil R. Shapiro
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
ALAN WESTHEIMER EDUCATION IN ISRAEL FUND
In memory of our beloved son Alan
Rose & Paul Westheimer
In memory of Sidney Wolin
Sylvia & Herb Winer
AUGUSTA & SAMUEL ENGLEBARDT FUND
In memory of Augusta Englebardt
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
BIBLICAL GARDEN
In honor of Aviva Hallenstein's marriage
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In honor of Elyse Wohl's Graduation & Award for Public Service
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In honor of Esther Eisner in her journey to good health
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In honor of our newest granddaughters, Chana Yehudit & Ora Rifka
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In honor of Susan & Marty Farber being Awarded the Community Service Award
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In memory of or father, Fred Appel
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In memory of our mother, Claire Jarrett
Susan & Steve Jarrett
CEMETERY FUND
In memory of Lillian Haber
Sandy & Hal Haber
In memory of Marga Kassimir
Laurey & Steven Goldberg
In memory of Miriam Hallenstein
Betty & Alex Hallenstein
In memory of Morris Harris
Barby & Stan Harris
In memory of Pearl Hallenstein
Betty & Alex Hallenstein
In memory of Sidney Kassimir
Laurey & Steven Goldberg
EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
In memory of Beatrice Merims
Anita & Arthur Merims
GENERAL FUND
For High Holiday honors
Sandy & Hal Haber
In honor of Aviva Hallenstein's marriage to Chris Ognibene
Este & Sam Sylvetsky
In honor of Debbie & Art Friedson's son and Phyllis & Sidney Friedson's grandson
Natalie & Robert Oshins
In honor of Gary Goldstein's special birthday
The Yablon family
In memory of Chaim Naparstek
Denise & Nathan Naparstek
In memory of Doris Pletman's brother, Marvin Brown
Richard Crinigan
In memory of Frances Silver
Cynthia & Clifford Tepper
In memory of Harry Golub
Muriel & Wilbur Shapiro
In memory of Herman Kerman
Denise & Nathan Naparstek
In memory of Jacob Takiff
Edith Takiff
In memory of Jason Tepper
Cynthia & Clifford Tepper
In memory of Max Spilberg
Lisa Sternlicht
In memory of Melvin Schiff
Betty & Murray Weissman
In memory of Minnie & Samuel Cohen
Norman & Jerome Cohen
In memory of my mother, Gertrude Gallup
Sally Goldstein
In memory of Randy Fox's father, Sidney Wolin
Este & Sam Sylvetsky
Sara & Andrew Gavens
In memory of Semen Lirtsman
Ella Margolis
In memory of Susie's mother, Judith Engel
Don & Susie Sommer & boys
Speedy recovery to Jessica Many
Betty & Murray Weissman
HEALTH/ACCESSIBILITY FUND
Speedy recovery to Jessica Many
Sylvia & Herb Winer
JUDAICA FUND
In honor of the marriage of Andy & Mollie Friedman
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
KATHY & CARL ENGLEBARDT HOSPITALITY FUND
In memory of Augusta Englebardt
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
In memory of Martin E. Becker
Kathy & Carl Englebardt
PHILIP M. STARK VISUAL ARTS FUND
In memory of Philip Stark
Valerie Stark
In memory of Rosalie Marlowe
Valerie Stark
In memory of Ruth Bragin
Natalie & Robert Oshins
In memory of Stephen Marlowe
Valerie Stark
PRAGER MUSIC FUND
In memory of Rose Snyder
Marcia & Marvin Snyder
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In honor of Allison Sylvetsky's engagement
Joan & David Brown
In honor of Rachel Goldstein's engagement to Aaron Willis
Joan & David Brown
In memory of Dr. Jason A. Tepper
Alice Buff Tepper
In memory of Tekla Buff
Alice Buff Tepper
REYUT
In honor of Linda Birnby and Reyut for kindness shown
Susan & Steve Jarrett
In memory of my mother, Ruth Appel
Susan & Steve Jarrett
December Donations
CEMETERY FUND
In memory of Leonid Tokarsky
Alexander & Lilia Simkhovich
In memory of our beloved mother, Eva Mickelson
Roz & Hal Menter
GENERAL FUND
In honor of our Aliyah
Stuart and Nancy Stark Schoenburg
In honor of Roberta Steiner receiving the Giraffe Award from Planned Parenthood
Jill & Ron Bucinell
In memory of Sam Anderman
Jill & Ron Bucinell
Gail & Robert Schwartz
Avila Retirement Community
In memory of David Sanders Stark
Stuart and Nancy Stark Schoenburg
In memory of Elayne Miller
Barbara & Alan Miller
In memory of Helen Aberbach
Lois & Dick Mendelson & family
Diane & Mike Goldberg
Marlene & Rich Mendelson
In memory of Ilene Nevins
Bob Nevins
In memory of Mark Nevins
Bob Nevins
In memory of Jack Swerdlow
Jill & Ron Bucinell
In memory of Annette Tepper
Cynthia & Clifford Tepper
In memory of my Aunt, Helen Aberbach
Sally Brown
In memory of my mother, Kathryn Bidwell
Celia Diamond
In memory of Randy Fox's father, Sidney Wolin
JoAnn & Walter Krefetz
Roberta & Stephen Berk
Jill & Ron Bucinell
In memory of Stanley Kivort
Josie Kivort
In memory of Sophie Shapiro
Wilbur & Muriel Shapiro
HEALTH/ACCESSIBILITY FUND
In honor of Roberta Steiner receiving her well deserved award from Planned Parenthood
Kathy Englebardt
In memory of Helen Aberbach
Sylvia & Herb Winer
PRAYER BOOK FUND
In memory of Bernice Bressler
The Bressler Wakesberg Family
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In appreciation of Rabbi's services
Josie Kivort
In memory of Adele Fox
Randy & Robert Fox
In memory of my parents, Sam & Ida Levy
Linda Birnby
In memory of Morris Abramson
The Abramson family
In memory of Anna Rosenthal
Phyllis & Arnold Ritterband
In memory of Rebecca Rosenthal
Phyllis & Arnold Ritterband
REYUT
In appreciation of all they have done
Bud Kleppel
In appreciation
Randy Fox
In loving memory of father-in-law, Milton Rawrtz
Bud Kleppel
In memory of my parents Sam & Ida Levy
Linda Birnby
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