Congregation Agudat Achim
Weekly Announcements
24 June 2021 - 14 Tammuz 5781
Parashat Balak
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer -- President Jackie Rowen
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In last week’s Torah portion, Hukkat, Moshe strikes the rock instead of speaking to it-- and though water nonetheless pours out, Moshe has revealed that he is not fit to lead the people into the promised land. In Parashat Balak, this week’s Torah portion, Balaam, an internationally sought-after seer, strikes his donkey, unable to see the angel blocking the path. The donkey, unlike the rock, responds to Balaam’s abuse with calm, reasonable speech: “What have I done to you that you have struck me three times?”
The comparison between Moshe and Balaam is an interesting one, and noticing these two violent moments might help to explain why the story of Balak and Balaam is placed at this point in the narrative of the book of Numbers, after the events of Parashat Hukkat. Balaam is a foil for Moshe, reminding us that God works in mysterious ways, that great blessings can come even from non-obvious sources, and that even our own great leaders sometimes act in foolish ways.
Dr. Ismar Schorsch, in his 2004 JTS Torah commentary on Balak points out that the placement of Balaam’s blessings comes at a critical time when the Israelites—a ragtag bunch, exhausted and rebellious—are in need of spiritual uplift as they near Canaan. Moses, fed up, would have loved to curse his people, while Balaam, a non-Israelite, the one expected to curse Israel, ends up blessing them at an opportune time.
This year, as we have been able to tune-in to services at home, we have shown and been shown the deep truth of Balaam’s blessing “How good are your dwelling places O Israel!” Ma Tovu! May we be able to lift the veils over our eyes, like Balaam ultimately was able to do, and see the Presence of the divine before us and within us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Spitzer
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Words from our President
This Friday evening during our outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat service, we will be celebrating our graduating seniors. The class of 2021 has already proven their strength and resilience, completing the last year and a half of their high school careers under the most difficult of circumstances. To the graduates: Mazel Tov! You've already accomplished something remarkable and we all look forward to what the future holds for you. To the parents: Mazel Tov! We talk a lot about how hard this has been for our kids, but it hasn’t been easy for our parents either. You too have accomplished something remarkable!
Please join us this Friday at 5:30 (in the parking lot or on Zoom) to celebrate the class of 2021!
Jackie Rowen
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Friday Nights 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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Abe Ellenbogen: University of Rochester |
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Rachel Schmidt: Williams College |
Emma Willard School, graduating Cum Laude (school's highest academic honor)
CAA b'nai mitzvah tutor for three years
High holiday Torah reader and regular service leader at CAA (especially during pandemic)
2020-2021 Regional President, USY Tzafon region (upstate NY, western MA)
2018-2020 Religious Education VP, USY Tzafon region (upstate NY, western MA)
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Isaac Weingarten: HVCC
Deniece Whineglass: SUNY Schenectady
Isaiah Woods: Hampshire College
Elias Woods is graduating from Wildwood programs: and hopes to attend a day program next year. In the meantime, he's enjoying time with his family.
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Second Social Gathering at the Rabbinage |
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More Adult Education Offerings |
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Click the buttons below to read information on each
upcoming event!
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Birthdays: Barbara Wasser, Anita Behn, Harvey Happ, Bern Rotman, Joan Brown, Diane Frank, Martin Greenberg, Sara Gabrielle Harrow, Talya Stashower, Zachary Goldstein, Arnold Grosberg, Herb Winer
Anniversaries: Michael & Diana Gelfand
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Yahrzeits: Gladys Gordon, William Hopper, Robert Keen, Francis Many, Taylor Zeltins, Joshua Diamond, May Goodman Karp, Jack Lawrence Rubins, Sophie Schnur |
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Thank you to the individuals who participated in this past week's Shabbat services: Yashar koach!
Torah and Haftara Readers: Steve Schmidt, Rabbi Spitzer; Rachael Besser
Daveners/Service Leaders: Howie Mittleman, Elianna Moses
Service Coordinator/Gabbai: Dan Mayer
COVID-19 Compliance Guarantor/Shamash: Barby Harris
Other Participants: Kaitlin Spektor, Sonya Trevizo, Edith Kliman, Jackie Rowen, Dan Mayer, Eli Feret, Adam Weiss, Rachael Besser
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
Freezers are Filled
Prepared and packaged frozen food perfect for small gatherings, your Shabbat table, or everyday meals!
Just contact Rise' Routenberg at syncaterer@aol.com to place your order and arrange pick up.
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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A Message from the Carrot Festival Committee |
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Plans for the Carrot Festival are well underway, especially now that the NYS guidelines are relaxed. We will be close to a regular Festival, with many modifications, and will carefully keep safety in mind. A contingency plan is also in place. Most importantly, the Festival is on October 10. Please save this date on your calendar and plan to be there to help! This year, more than ever, we will need all hands on deck! |
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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 29 June
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.
Tot Shabbat Next Date 25 June at 4:30p
Mark your calendars for all of the upcoming Tot Shabbat Programs, 25 Jun. Time: 4:30p - 5:05p
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.
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
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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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Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Congregation Agudat Achim on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
A package of five screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will be offered:
- Carotid artery ultrasound to identify plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a major risk factor for stroke
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound to identify presence of an enlargement in the largest blood vessel in the body
- An EKG to identify the presence of atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk for stroke
- Ultrasound of the lower legs to look for plaque buildup known as peripheral artery disease
- Ultrasound of the shin bone to identify risk for osteoporosis
These 5 vital screenings are offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. If you register today, you will receive a $10 discount.
Register by calling toll free 1-888-653-6441 or text the word "circle" to 797979.
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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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