Congregation Agudat Achim
Weekly Announcements
1 July 2021 - 21 Tammuz 5781
Parashat Pinchas
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer -- President Jackie Rowen
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This past Sunday (27 June) the Jewish people observed a day of fasting and mourning known as Tzom Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. On this date in 70 CE, soldiers of the Roman army broke through the walls of Jerusalem. Three weeks later, on the 9th of Av, they destroyed the 2nd Temple. During the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz to 9 Av it is customary to avoid concerts, public celebrations, and haircuts. However, Jerusalem being taken by the Romans is only one of several calamities that are commemorated on this day.
The first, chronologically, is the destruction of the first set of tablets of the covenant-- the ten commandments that Moshe broke when he descended the mountain to find the Jewish people engaged in idolatrous worship of the golden calf. This incident becomes the basis for the liturgy of our fast days, as God explains to Moshe what words to say to calm God down in the case of divine anger at the sinning people. We can avert the severity of the decree by being kind, by acting out of love, but understanding the primacy of mercy.
Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” May we merit a covenant of peace.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Spitzer
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Friday Night Outdoor Shabbats 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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Second Social Gathering at the Rabbinage |
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Birthdays: Cherie Bramley, Michael Consolo, Martin Siegel, Naomi Bristol, Mindy Sanders-Stein, Emily Sondheimer, Kim Cohen, Zion Woods, Lois Mendelson, Matthew Cohen
Anniversaries: Theodore & Jessica Hausler, Farrell & Ellen Malkis, Stan & Barby Harris
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Yahrzeits: Nettie Kerness, Milford Kliman, Julia Kraut, Dore Schary, Lewis Carpenter, Edward M. Kraut, Enrica Pacelli, Helen Siegal, Saul Fine, Jacob Rockower, Salman Woll, Albert Levy, Sam Tanenbaum, Harry Hallenstein, Samuel Horowitz, Louis Schleifstein, Scott Folsom, Joan Iris Sarote |
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Mazel tov to Arthur and Deborah Friedson on the Brit/Covenant Ceremony of their granddaughter Harper, who was given the Hebrew name Shai Keshet, and was welcomed into the covenant of Abraham and Sarah this week.
Condolences go to Hillary Fink, on the loss of her father, Marty.
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Thank you to the individuals who participated in this past week's Shabbat services: Yashar koach!
Torah and Haftara Readers: Howie Mittleman; Murray Jaros
Daveners/Service Leaders: Joe Shiang, Aryeh Korevaar, Rachel Schmidt
Service Coordinator/Gabbai: Art Friedson, Steve Schmidt
COVID-19 Compliance Guarantor/Shamash: Barby Harris
Other Participants: Elianna Moses, Neal Shapiro, Barby Harris, Steve Schmidt, Ellen Carpenter, Eli Feret, Edith Kliman, Murray Jaros, Ashrei by Colden Shapiro & Logan Shapiro, D’var by Eli Feret
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 - 7
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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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 me, 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 6 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 29 June; 15, 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 morahtova1@aol.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.
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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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The SJCC Summer Film Festival |
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Discussion led by Film Director Alexandra Dean
Sunday, July 11 at 7:30 pm
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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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