Congregation Agudat Achim
Weekly Announcements
15 July 2021 - 6 Av 5781
Parashat Devarim
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer -- President Jackie Rowen
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Rosh Hashanah is coming! Rosh Hashanah is coming!
That's all I can think about as we begin reading the book of Devarim/Deuteronomy and prepare for Tisha B'Av (this coming Sunday 18 July). Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the Temple, and the beginning of the long exile of our people, is the beginning of our liturgical preparation for the High Holidays. One of the big themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is Teshuva, return, before you can return, you have to leave. The midrash describes the reluctance of the people, and of God, to take responsibility for the action of returning:
"Take us back, O Hashem, to Yourself, And let us come back (Lamentations 5:21)": The assembly of Israel said before the Holy Blessed One: "Master of the universe, it is up to you, "take us back"". God said to them: "It is up to you, as it is said: "Turn back to Me, and I will turn back to you—said Hashem (Malachi 3:7)". They said before him: "Master of the universe, it is up to you, as it is said: "Turn again, O God, our helper, revoke Your displeasure with us (Psalms 85:5)" and so it is said: "Take us back, O Hashem, to Yourself, And let us come back".
Whose responsibility do you think it is?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Spitzer
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A Message from our President
If you have been attending in-person Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services, you’ll have surely enjoyed our newly resurrected kiddishes. I know that I really have. It’s so great to once again be able to visit with people and have a nosh! Many thanks to the folks who have made this happen. Alexandra and Steve Schmidt and Josh Cooper-Ginsburg for our onegs and Rise and Larry Routenberg, Sharon Wohl, Kathy Englebardt, Barby Harris and Hillary Fink for our Shabbat morning kiddushes. When the conversation first began to bring food back to our services, these people were happy to help out. With that being said, we really could use more folks to help. It’s not fair to rely on the same small group of people, who already do so much, week after week. It’s not a huge time commitment, doesn’t need to be every week and it’s not a difficult task, so please consider helping out. Please email me, CAAPrez2019@gmail.com and we can discuss how you can help. Thanks in advance.
Jackie Rowen
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Tisha B'Av
Sunday 18 July / 9 Av
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Second Social Gathering at the Rabbinage |
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CAA Adult Education Offers Project Zug for Elul |
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Friday Night Outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat
in Person and on Zoom
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This Friday and for the rest of the summer, we will hold Kabbalat Shabbat in the Parking Lot, at 5:30pm.
Attendees are not required to wear masks or be socially distant. Please, however, respect individuals' decision to wear masks if they choose. Attendees who wish to maintain social distance will be able to do so. After the service there will be light refreshments and drinks. Refreshments will be individually packaged and drinks will be poured in advance. Anyone who is willing to help prepare the refreshments and/or clean up afterwards, please email Steve Schmidt at schmidsj@union.edu - your assistance will be greatly appreciated!
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Birthdays: Michael Palatsky, Robert Palatsky, Emily Centonze, Deniece Whineglass, Allen Kintz, Melissa Gavens, Jacob Kaufman, Arnold Ritterband, Robyn Altman, Sadie Goldstein
Anniversaries:None this week
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Yahrzeits: Michael Hensler, Pearl Rothenberg Strauss, Lester Rubenfeld, Leroy Seftel, David Wallach, Morris Bergman, Louis Dolan, Abraham Zvi Schnur, Burt Lippman, Marvin Cohen, Harriet Finkle, Ruth Gelfand, Sylvia Kerman, Beatrice Wigler |
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Thank you to the individuals who participated in this past week's Shabbat services: Yashar koach!
Torah and Haftarah Readers: Susan Sharfstein, Joe Shiang, Howie Mittleman; Dan Mayer
Daveners/Service Leaders: Rabbi Spitzer, Art Friedson
Service Coordinators/Gabbaim: Barby Harris, Susan Sharfstein, Joe Shiang, Howie Mittleman
COVID-19 Compliance Guarantor/Shamash: Barby Harris
Other Participants: Kathy Englebardt, Christi Hart, Anita Merims, Ricki Shapiro, Kati Illouz, Deb Friedson, Jackie Rowen, Dan Mayer, Daniel Korevaar
Contributors to our Security Fund, Attendees, “…those who give funds for heat and light, wine for Kiddush and Havdalah, bread to the wayfarer and charity to the poor, and all those who devotedly involve themselves with the needs of this community… May the Holy Blessed One reward them, remove sickness from them, heal them, and forgive their sins. May God bless them by prospering all their worthy endeavors, and let us say: Amen.”
Would you like to see your name on this list?
Get in touch with Howie Mittleman or Rabbi Spitzer!
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Registration for 2021-2022 school year
is now open for Prek - 12
We plan to be in person if all goes well this summer.
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Catering's Meals-to-Go Specials |
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Introducing Brisket and Dairy Meal Bundles
Quantities are limited and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Perfect for gift-giving or sharing a meal with friends (buy more than one) or storing away for a rainy day.
Food is sold frozen.
Brisket Meal for 3-4 people-$42
1 pound sliced Brisket with gravy, onions and carrots
Pareve Caramelized Onion Kugel
Vegetable Side Dish
Pareve Cookie Assortment
Dairy Meal for 3-4 people-$36
Pareve Minestrone Soup-1 quart
Your Choice of Spanakopita or Vegetable Quiche
Your Choice of Dairy Kugel or Blintz Souffle
Catering's Bread Pudding
Just contact Rise' Routenberg at syncaterer@aol.com to place your order and arrange pick up.
A variety of prepackaged frozen food continues to be available ongoing.
Make checks payable to Congregation Agudat Achim.
Or call the office at 518-393-9211 to place a credit card order.
You can see the entire list of offerings by clicking on the button below
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Carrot Festival
Food Preparation
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Carrot Festival Food Preparations Are Back!
As we breathe a welcome sigh of relief these days knowing we are able to gather more safely, we now can plan for a much anticipated Carrot Festival 2021. Although the Festival may still happen in a modified way, much more sweet and savory food will be prepared than last year!
We hope you can join us to help prepare CF favorites. Even one hour of your time will make a difference. Please wear closed shoes, no sandals. No need to wear a mask when in our kitchen pod.
Below is the work schedule for now which will continue through August. More dates will be posted in the future.
The CF Committee thanks you in advance for your support!
Monday- 9-3:00
Tuesday - 1-3:00
Wednesday- 9-3:00
Thursday - 9-3:00
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SiCM Volunteers from CAA Needed for Summer Meals Program |
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SICM (Schenectady Community Ministries) prepares and distributes free lunches each summer for children in need throughout the county of Schenectady. The Congregation Agudat Achim community has been volunteering for this program, with the exception of last summer, for many years. Please consider helping to continue our tradition of performing this critical mitzvah!
We are committed to filling volunteer slots to serve lunches for two weeks: July 26 – July 30 (at Trinity Reformed Church in Rotterdam) and August 9 – August 13 (at the Central Park Pavilion in Schenectady). Only two volunteers are needed each day, and the time commitment is 45 minutes.
We are also helping SICM fill time slots to pack meals at their campus located at 839 Albany St, Schenectady. These are three-hour time commitments from 8am-11am during the weeks of August 2, August 9 and August 30. Three or five volunteers are needed each day, depending on the week. We are not obligated to fill these slots the way we are obligated to fill the serving slots. We are just trying to help them as much as possible.
Please note that all volunteers will be required to view a short training session on a PDF document and complete a form prior to their shift. All of the volunteer time slots to pack meals and to serve meals are on the Google Spreadsheets attached above. Please sign up with a friend, or sign up on your own and meet a new friend! SICM is hoping that t-shirts will be available for all volunteers. Please do not change or move other names.
If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Fink at hbean5891@aol.com or 518-331-4208. Thank you!
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2021-2022 / 5782
Women's Network and Men's Club Membership
Registration now open!
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Click each flyer below to download and print them, or click here to email the synagogue office with your membership details. Thank you!
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Reyut and Hessed requests for rides
It is now permitted for our volunteers, if they feel comfortable, and are vaccinated and masked, to drive people. Please feel free once again to either call Linda Birnby at 518-608-6083 or Josh Cooper-Ginsburg at 518-393-9211 to request a ride, and one of us will call the volunteers for you to get you a driver. Remember, the earlier that you call one of us to request a ride, the easier it will be for us to find you a driver.
We are delighted to be able to offer you this service once again!
Parashat Hashavua Class with Rabbi Spitzer - Next Class 20 July
Rabbi Spitzer teaches a class on the weekly Torah portion on Tuesdays from 12:30p – 1:30p on Zoom. The link is on the CAA Online Programming Google Doc. If you are interested in exploring the weekly Parashah, please attend. All are welcome. Rabbi Spitzer invites you to call or email with your comments or thoughts.
CAA Healthy Living Group
Every Wednesday on Zoom at 10a.
CAA Book Club
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 12:00p
Next Meeting 13 October
October book: The Light of Days, by Judy Batalion
November book: Paris Children, by Gloria Goldreich
CAA Men’s Club Torah Study
Meets Monthly on Sundays at 7:30p Next Meetings: 7/25: Ekev; 8/15: Ki Tetze
Adult Hebrew Classes with Zipporah Harris
Please become part of this group of learners!
New series starts: Tuesdays at 6pm on 20, 27 July, and 3 Aug
6:00-7:00 PM on Zoom
$10 per class, payable directly to Zipporah
Open to New and Returning Students!
Born in Israel, Zipporah is an experienced teacher who has taught Hebrew at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for over 30 years. The class covers reading, writing, and conversation. Please become part of this group of learners! Classes. If you are interested in joining, write to Zipporah at yourpersonalspace1@gmail.com.
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Our evening 7:15p service each night, except Tuesday night will be Mincha. Friday Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat will be at 5:30p on Zoom and in our parking lot, weather permitting.
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Links to Religious Services |
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Siddur Supplement
Until further notice, we are using the full Siddur Sim Shalom during weekday and Shabbat services. This version has both Shabbat and Weekday prayer services (whereas the "Slim Shalom," which only contains Shabbat services are typically used in the sanctuary). Rabbi Spitzer has made the following four prayers accessible.
We would like to make everyone’s experience of the service at home as barrier-free as possible so please get in touch with us if there are other things that we can do to increase ease of access.
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Good Afternoon Delegates and Partners,
Thank you for your support of SiCM’s many programs including Summer Meals – which started on Tuesday, July 6!
We have an immediate need for a driver at SiCM to help us deliver food packages to our homebound SiCM Food Pantry guests. We are seeking a volunteer to help us stay committed to the population we serve and the families we help to keep fed. If you know someone who is over 18 years old, has a good driving record and wants to help SiCM, please reach out to Food Pantry Director Tom Schofield via email at toms@sicm.us or call 518-346-4445 x 2 or myself (laurap@sicm.us) to help us right away.
In gratitude to your support and commitment to SiCM’s mission,
Laura Pinckney
Relations Associate
Schenectady Community Ministries
SiCM on social media: @SiCMNY
518-374-2683 x 103
837 Albany Street
PO Box 1049
Schenectady, NY 12301
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A Virtual Day of Prayer, Learning, Mourning, and Hope
SUNDAY, JULY 18, 9:00 AM - 9:45 PM EASTERN
Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year, is a day of disruption from our routines, as we mourn communally for the loss of the Temple and other tragedies of Jewish history and our world.
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A Wandering People: Jewish Journeys, Real and Imagined
A new weekly learning series with JTS scholars. Mondays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET, June 7 to August 23.
As the pandemic surged and forced us into our homes, many of us dreamed with new intensity of being elsewhere. For Jews throughout the ages, the promises and perils of travel have been central to shaping the individual and collective experience. Notions of home and homeland have been redefined by Jewish wandering.
Drawing on literary, spiritual, and historical sources and responses, JTS scholars will explore what happens when Jews—whether by force or voluntarily, whether in reality or in the imagination—travel from one place to another
You can view all of the sessions here
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