Congregation Agudat Achim
Weekly Announcements
2 September 2021 - 24 Elul 5781
Parashat Nitzavim
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer -- President Jackie Rowen
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Dear friends,
On the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, we read Moshe’s sermon about repentance, which is recorded in Deuteronomy Chapter 30. Moshe says (and here, I paraphrase), “Hevre-- having a relationship with God, with Jewish tradition, with each other-- that isn’t unachievable. Returning, turning back, doing teshuva is not as hard as crossing the sea, or climbing into the sky. It is completely within your capability to do it. Torah isn’t far away from you-- it is in your heart and mind.”
Each of us has access to our lived Torah, the ongoing revelation of God’s will in the world. Yet the rabbis of the Talmud were not satisfied with Moshe’s sermon, as can be seen in this discussion (Eiruvin 55a): Avdimi bar Ḥama bar Dosa said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “It is not in heaven…nor is it beyond the sea” (Deuteronomy 30:12–13)? “It is not in heaven” indicates that if it were in heaven, you would have to ascend after it, and if it were beyond the sea, you would have to cross after it, as one must expend whatever effort is necessary to be in relationship with Torah. Expounding the verse differently, Rava said: “It is not in heaven” means that Torah is not to be found in someone who raises his mind over it, like the heavens, i.e., he thinks his mind is above the Torah and he does not need a teacher; nor is it to be found in someone who expands his mind over it, like the sea, i.e., he thinks he knows everything there is to know about the topic he has learned. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: “It is not in heaven” means that Torah is not to be found in the haughty, those who raise their self-image as though they were in heaven. “Nor is it beyond the sea” means that it is not to be found among merchants or traders who are constantly traveling and do not have the time to study Torah properly.
As we go into Rosh Hashanah, I challenge all of us to commit/recommit to our relationship with Torah: Like Moshe said, it is “כִּי־קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.” Like Rabbi Avdimi said, “Even if it were far away, you would still be obligated to try to reach it.” Like Rava said “Torah does not live in someone who thinks they know it all, that they have no need to change and grow.” And like Rabbi Yohanan said, “Torah does not live in the arrogant.” May we have the humility to grow in our relationship with Torah, each other, and the Divine.
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tovah,
Rabbi Spitzer
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Message from the President
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, my family, and myself I wish you and your family a healthy, happy New Year!
Shana Tovah,
Jackie Rowen
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New website update
Launching our new website was one of, if not the most, exciting parts of the entire redesign process. Seeing the finished product our team worked so hard on coming to life was nothing short of sweet. After celebrating the launch, however, comes the glitches, a common occurrence for new websites.
Thank you for your comments and patience as we continue to work through some tech and content issues. We understand the layout and presentation of new information can be a little overwhelming and confusing. However, we are making quick adjustments to improve our website further.
The Congregation Agudat Achim website reflects who we are as a congregation. Therefore, your comments are critical to creating a site that includes the information that reflects the individuals who comprise our community. To that end, we invite you to share
We welcome your thoughts as you continue to explore and enjoy our new website.
Thank you.
Deb Friedson, New Website Content Chair
Rabbi Spitzer
Josh Cooper-Ginsburg, Executive Director
Jack Mintzer, Director of Education & Programming
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Practice the Tunes of the High Holidays |
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Stephen Berk Lecture Series |
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Congregation Agudat Achim's Adult Education Committee announces a series of six fascinating lectures with Dr. Stephen Berk, professor of history at Union College and Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation Agudat Achim for more than 30 years.
Come join us this fall for Dr. Stephen Berk's newest lecture series,
Personality Counts: The Men and Women who Created and Shaped the State of Israel
The dates of the lecture series are:
Sept: 23, 30, Oct: 7, 14, 21, 28
All Lectures will be in person or online, your choice
Please register by September 13th.
You can register and pay online or by check by clicking on the button below.
If you prefer to use a printed format you can view, download, and print the registration form by clicking here.
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CAA Cosponsored this Community-wide Event |
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Save the Date: 24 October
New Adult Education Program
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Carrot Festival Help Wanted! |
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As you know, our 43rd annual Carrot Festival is on October 10. We have two key Carrot Festival Committee positions that we hope to fill ASAP! Both of these positions can be shared by two people if that makes it easier for you. If you are interested in taking either position, or have any questions, then please contact Hillary Fink at 518-331-4208 or hbean5891@aol.com. She looks forward to hearing from you! Thank you!
Please note that lots of help will be needed on the day of the Festival. Sign-ups will begin right after the high holidays, so please watch for details!
Vendor Captain(s)
This person/people will be the "point person" for all of our vendors for the few days leading up to the Carrot Festival, up to and including the day of the Festival. They will handle questions vendors have, and will be responsible for overseeing the set-up of all of the vendors, inside and out. (Please note that our two vendor chairs, Diane and Matt Frank, have an out-of-town commitment for Carrot Festival weekend. They will guide you through the process to make it seamless for everyone! We promise!) If you are looking for a short four to five day commitment, then this is the position for you!
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
This person/people will oversee the recruitment of most volunteers for the day of the Carrot Festival. They will work closely with Committee members to determine the needs, and will coordinate the sign-ups of our members onto the spreadsheet. They will also be the "point person" on the day of the Festival making sure volunteers know where they need to be, and will help to move volunteers around to other stations if needed.
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Men's Club had its Grounds Cleanup on Sunday, August 15. Our diligent group worked to neaten up the entrance drive, exit drive an the parking lot. It was a lot of work for 2 years of growth, as we did not have a grounds cleanup last year. I want to thank everyone that came out. It was a great help!!!
Pictured from left to right: Jason Goldner, Joel Weingarten, Isaac Weingarten, Andy Housler, Steve Schmidt, Larry Routenberg, Rob Fox and Matt Frank.
Taking the picture: Gerry Housler.
Thank you all again!!!
Joel Weingarten
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Report from our USY Social Action Event |
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On a glorious late summer day, 16 USYers and parents and Master Gardener and former USY advisor Matt Frank (and family) spent 3 hours at the Regional Foodbank farm harvesting hundreds of cabbages to support the Regional Foodbank. This was followed by swimming and boating at Thompson's lake. The weather was ordered specially for the day, featuring cool cloudy weather in the morning for vegetable picking and a nice sunny afternoon at the lake.
Thank you and Yasher Koach to Kati Ilouz, Bas, Aryeh and Daniel Korevaar, Orit Shiang, Greta Fornari, Ross, Ellie and Sophie Garmil, David, Rebecca, Talya and Mira Stashower, Jeff and Jacob Shapiro, Matt and Diane Frank and Diane's brother Jeff.
Photos can be found in the folder below.
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Birthdays: Laurie Goldstein, Mark Moses, Tamara Harrow, Imek Metzger, Rebecca Landsberg, Joanna Sanzo, Emily Tombank, Neil Yetwin
Anniversaries: Leo & Alana Folsom, Ron & Alyssa Kahn Ehrlich
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Yahrzeits: Michael Oshins, Yale Levin, John Rockower, Miriam Schary, Edward Sommer, Anne Frank, Israel Silverberg, Melba Zinoman, H. Michael Brilliant, Charlotte Mollen, Jeanette Perell, Charles Rubenfeld, Jennie Fraster, Phyllis Levine, Janet Rutkoff
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Mazel Tov to Valerie and Dick Brooks as their son Jason and wife Stephanie Brooks welcomed daughter Chloe Summer yesterday joining big sister Mila((17 months). All are well.
Mazel tov to Ellen Kerness on the wedding of her daughter Lisa to Jeff Gottlieb.
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Thank you to the individuals who participated in this past week's Shabbat services: Yashar koach!
Torah and Haftarah Readers: Rabbi Spitzer, Joe Shiang; Steve Schmidt
Daveners/Service Leaders: Rachael Besser, Rachel Schmidt
Service Coordinators/Gabbaim: Alexandra Schmidt; Art Friedson, Steve Schmidt
COVID-19 Compliance Guarantor/Shamash: Barby Harris
Other Participants: Murray Jaros, Roberta Steiner, Rachel Schmidt, Talib Malik, Bob Weissberg, Rabbi Spitzer, Joe Shiang, Steve Schmidt, Colden & Logan Shapiro
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!
Ritual Mitzvah Volunteer Opportunity
Rabbi Spitzer and the ritual committee are looking to expand our pool of regular Zoom weekday evening service leaders. One of our regular leaders has developed a conflict on the nights he usually leads, and we'd like to take the opportunity to get some new faces involved. This is a wonderful way to give back to the community, doesn't take longer than 15 minutes, and is relatively easy to learn. Creative/nontraditional services may also meet the need of the community. Please email rabbispitzer@agudatachim.org if you're interested, or curious.
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High Holiday Forms and Information |
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There will be no babysitting services available at the synagogue during High Holiday services.
There will be no printed tickets for High Holidays this year. All members are registered for attendance and must check in at the front door for contact tracing purposes. Your name will be prepared on a printed list to be checked off by our security guard. You will be asked the following questions upon entry:
- Have you travelled outside the country in the past 14 days?
- Have you had any direct or close contact with anyone who tested positive or may have been positive for COVID-19, including the Delta variant?
- Have you had any symptoms of illness in the last 48 hours, including sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, smelling, or tasting?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, we will ask you to participate in the service from your home, via our live stream service.
Non-members (extended family of CAA members or individuals in the community) must pre-register in order to attend any High Holiday services. No non-CAA member walk-ins will be allowed at any High Holiday service. In order to register, please fill out the form here.
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If you choose to participate from the comfort of your home for all High Holiday services and do not own a copy of the Machzor Lev Shalem, please fill out the form here to either pick up a copy for each member of your family or arrange for delivery by volunteer service.
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To submit names for our annual Yizkor Book of Remembrance, please fill out the form here.
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Click here to see our full schedule of services.
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School Starts September 12!
Registration for 2021-2022 school year
is now open for Prek - 12
High School Electives are Now Available.
Email Jack with your choices.
We will be holding classes in person this year
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Tashlich Program First day of School |
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As You Like It still has the Meals-to-Go freezers stuffed with plenty of favorites! Perfect for your Shabbat table or anytime! Available now! The entire list of offerings can be found on our website or by calling the mail office. New items added weekly, so keep checking regularly. To order and arrange your pick-up, contact Rise' Routenberg at syncaterer@aol.com. Thank you for shopping with us!
You can see the entire list of offerings by clicking on the button below
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Food Drive: SiCM + CAA Social Action |
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The Social Action Committee is continuing plans for a New Year of Tikkun Olam with projects that serve the needs of the greater community. To that end, a High Holiday-Sukkot food drive is planned. Beginning 1 September and continuing through Carrot Festival on 10 October, we will be collecting much needed nonperishable food items to be distributed to SICM (Schenectady Community Ministries).
Food items should be placed in baskets located in the synagogue foyer.
SICM has suggested the following items ONLY:
Coconut Milk - Canned Fruits and Vegetables - Breadcrumbs - Quinoa - Couscous - Stuffing - Dried Herbs.
Thank you in advance for participating in this critical community act of tzedakah.
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How you can help Afghan resettlement |
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The news coming from Afghanistan is tragic, and there is little we can do to reach into Afghanistan and help. But American troops have evacuated tens of thousands of Afghans; some are being resettled in our Capital Region; and this places an added burden on already burdened refugee assistance organizations. This is where we can help. The ways to help this resettlement are certain, secure, and very important – as a sign of our hospitality, a start for them in building a new life, and a demonstration of Tikkun Olam. We also were refugees and strangers.
How can you help refugees in the Capital Region? Here are high-need options:
· Resettlement assistance of new arrivals during their first 90 days in the U.S. is organized by the Albany field office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). They need you to:
o Provide temporary housing with a separate entrance by calling USCRI directly at 518 459 1790 or info@uscri-albany.org;
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Purchase items from the USCRI Amazon wish list such as household items, cleaning supplies, and utility carts for new arrivals, who typically walk to the grocery store and laundromat.
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Purchase gift cards for Walmart or grocery store that can be sent to USCRI at 99 Pine St, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12206, Attn: New Arrivals.
· After refugees’ first 90 days, organizations like Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) pick up and help meet long-term assistance. RISSE helps refugees to learn English, provide childcare, find jobs, fill out forms, read mail, connect with local services and government agencies after USCRI help ends.
o Donations. RISSE’s biggest need right now is raising funds to hire extra teachers for childcare and English-language training, upgrade classrooms, and hire more staff for casework. Childcare helps children learn English and adjust to life in the US. RISSE also teaches the adults to read, write, and speak English in three levels of classes. To make a PayPal donation go to their website http://www.risse-albany.org/home/; or send a check to 715 Morris Street, Albany, NY 12208.
o Tutoring. RISSE welcomes volunteers to tutor in adult English, citizenship classes, and volunteer in the Afterschool program. Volunteer@risse-albany.org
o To volunteer as a Family Helper call Ann Krischer, 518-424-6663.
· The plight of Afghan college students is far less obvious. There are Afghan students studying at U.S. local colleges and universities. When they graduate, they may lose their student visas and be forced to return to a most hostile situation in Afghanistan. Consider reaching out to your alma mater or an area college to see how you can help one or more of these young people stay in the U.S. if that is their choice.
From the Social Action Committee of Congregation Agudat Achim
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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 congregants. Please feel free once again to call Linda Birnby at 518-608-6083 to request a ride, and she will call the volunteers for you to get you a driver. Remember, the earlier that you call her to request a ride, the easier it will be for her to find you a driver. It is wonderful to be able to offer you this service once again!
Rabbi Spitzer teaches a class on the weekly Torah portion on Tuesdays from (NEW TIME) 10:45a – 11:45a 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.
Beginner and Intermediate Hebrew Classes at CAA Next Class 5 October
Interested in learning Hebrew? Zipporah Harris, a Hebrew teacher with more than 30 years of experience, continues to share her knowledge and skills at CAA. A group of learners who joined Ms. Harris’s class several sessions ago is now at a solid intermediate level, ready to start its next session of 10 classes on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. If you are a beginner, interested in joining a beginners’ Hebrew class, please contact Zipporah Harris at yourpersonalspace1@gmail.com Cost: $100 per session, payable to Zipporah Harris at the beginning of a session ($10 per class)
Every Wednesday on Zoom at 10a.
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
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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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A Time to Grow:
A PJ Library Family Guide to the Fall Holidays
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Online Mikveh Guide Training
October 2021, will launch a new cohort of Seven Steps, the essential online course for training the Mikveh Guide of today and tomorrow. Drawing from rabbinic sources, current psychology, and the experiences of contemporary mikveh attendants, this 8-week training offers the knowledge and skills to facilitate immersions with dignity, respect, and modesty. Participants will learn best practices for making guests feel welcomed, safe, and supported, and gain skills for becoming a mikveh ambassador in their local communities. Seven Steps includes live and asynchronous sessions, and the next cohort begins October 10. Find more information and the application here.
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Jewish Family Services is Offering Scholarship Opportunities for Local Undergraduate and Graduate Students
The following JFS scholarships of $1,000-$2,000 are now available to support Jewish students with college-related expenses.
Scholarships are made possible by:
• The David and Rose Udelson Bray Scholarship Fund
• The Hessberg Trust
• The JFS Scholarship Fund*
Eligibility requirements vary per scholarship. Students must be residents of Albany, the surrounding area, or attend college or graduate school locally. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
To be considered for a 2021-22 JFS scholarship, applicants must also write a brief essay on:
• their understanding of Jewish Family Services’ impact on and for the community and
• suggest innovative ideas on how college students can support the mission of JFS and serve those in need
Preference will be given to applicants who express interest in volunteering with JFS.
The deadline is Friday, September 10, 2021.
The recipients will be selected from submissions and will be awarded their scholarship in late September. Please note we may choose to use the winning entry in JFS publicity and marketing communications.
* This fund is currently made up of the following funds: Frederick DeBeer Scholarship, Jewish Family Services Scholarship, Beatrice B. Levy Scholarship, George M. Simon Scholarship (restricted to a resident of Albany) and the Eli Werlin Scholarship.
** Application is for the 2021-2022 academic year. Student must provide proof of enrollment/admission prior to scholarship being issued.
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