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Rabbi Joshua Rabin Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms |
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Friday Flyer |
December 6, 2024 • 5 Kislev, 5785 |
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Six Week Course: A History of Hatred: Antisemitism from the Past to the Present |
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ACI is proud to bring the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning to Astoria and Western Queens. Rabbi Josh will begin our first six-week course in January 2025.
Antisemitism has been described as a virus that mutates. In each historical period, hatred of Jews takes on a different form or focus, often as a reaction to the prevailing ideology of the time – be it religious, racist, or political.
Use coupon code ISRAEL50 at checkout for a deeply discounted registration fee of just $50. At the link below, choose "New York: Astoria / Astoria Center of Israel" from the "All Communities" filter to see our event. |
Shabbat Services |
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Saturday, December 7 at 10am
Tot Shabbat From 10:30-11:30am (please note the new time!) Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze. Join us after services for a light Kiddush! |
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Upcoming Children’s Programs |
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Tot Shabbat 10:30-11:30am For preschool children
Upcoming dates:
See the announcement below for more details about the Tot Shabbat scheduling changes!
Junior Congregation 10:30-11:30am For school-aged children
Upcoming dates:
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Candle Lighting |
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Shabbat Tonight's candle lighting time is 4:10 pm. Havdalah will be Saturday at 5:13 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Vayeitzei. |
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Hanukkah Party Tickets Now Available |
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Hanukkah Party 2024
Sunday, December 15th 2pm-5pm
Please join us for the ACI 2024 Hanukkah Party, featuring a puppet show by Wonderspark Puppets, face painting by The Cheeky Chipmunk, crafts, cookie decorating, wrapping paper/candle sale, PJ Library books and sufganiyot. Advance tickets are $7/person or $25/family, and tickets at the door are $10/person or $30/family.
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More Hanukkah Happenings |
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Community Menorah Lighting
Monday, Dec 30th
Katch Astoria at 31-19 Newtown Ave
6:30 Menorah lighting
7pm Klezmer Music with Alex Parke and the Living Shtetl at Katch Astoria Kourtyard
Athens Square Menorah Lighting Tuesday, Dec 31st Time TBD pending park permit |
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PJ Library Book Swap |
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Do you have PJ Library books that your kids have outgrown? Now is your chance to share them with someone else who will enjoy them!
Drop your books off at the ACI office any time before the December 15 Hanukkah Party, or just bring your books to swap at the table! Please contact Joanna with any questions. |
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Reminder: Tot Shabbat Scheduling Changes |
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In response to parents' preference for an earlier start and end time for our Tot Shabbat program, we've decided to change the times to 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM. This will include a musical portion and children’s Kiddush with challah and juice. In addition, we've decided to move our program back to the first and 3rd Shabbat of the month.
Upcoming dates include:
We encourage donations of $18 per family for this program, and to support programming at ACI. Donate here. |
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Pathways to Judaism |
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This November, ACI launched an intro to Judaism course called Pathways to Judaism. This is perfect for the person in your life who wants to learn about Judaism from the ground up, as well as significant people in your life who are of a religion other than Judaism (regardless of whether or not they are interested in conversion). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Rabbi Josh.
Classes will take place on Monday evenings at 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET on Zoom and once a month on Shabbat morning at ACI at 9:00-10:00 a.m. |
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Open Door Shabbat Calendar |
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Our Open Door Shabbat services are back once a month, starting in November! Upcoming dates are:
What is Open Door Shabbat?
Shabbat morning is the best time for Jews to come together, and the WORST time to feel out of place in synagogue.
Join the ACI once a month for a no-experience-necessary Shabbat service, where we will explore the:
At 10:00, there will be a brief meditation service, and at 10:30 we will start the learning service.
If you have any questions, contact Rabbi Josh at [email protected]. |
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This Week in Hebrew School |
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In Hebrew Language, Kitah Aleph learned the letter “chet” and practiced words that include it, as well as the first two words of every Hebrew blessing. They also enjoyed a fun activity braiding play dough chalot. Kitah Bet practiced their writing skills, reviewed the letters “yud” and “chet,” and wrote words on the board. Kitah Gimmel focused on reading and writing, explored words with specific roots, and wrote sentences on the board. Some groups also began learning Hebrew words related to sports.
In Arts and Crafts, the children started a Hanukkah-themed project using spinning tops as part of their creative activities.
In Judaic Studies, Kitah Aleph studied the story of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, and his mission to find a wife for Isaac in this week’s Torah portion. They learned about Rebecca’s admirable qualities and brought the story to life by acting out some of its scenes. Kitah Bet continued learning about the Jewish life cycle by focusing on the stages of Jewish childhood. The students created posters illustrating practices, holiday celebrations, and values such as charity and mitzvot. Kitah Gimmel explored the Jewish American experience, focusing on the concept of kehillah (community). They identified key elements that make up a Jewish community, such as kosher stores, the synagogue, Hebrew school, communal holiday celebrations, and traditional foods, and created posters showcasing these elements.
To conclude the day, all the students gathered in the social hall to practice the songs they will perform at the Hanukkah party on December 15th. |
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Get Involved Planning ACI's Events! |
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We have a great roster of activities planned, but we can always use more help and more ideas. If you're interested in helping to plan and run our community events, please join our standing Events Committee meetings, the second Tuesday of every month at 8pm (over Zoom).
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, December 10. Reach out to [email protected] for the meeting link. |
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Messages |
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In memory of my beloved mother, Estelle Reiff, from Alan Reiff |
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In memory of Harry Liebowitz, from Gloria DeLisi |
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In memory of my beloved Mother, Florence Weis, from Phyllis Hanlon |
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In memory of my beloved sister, Heather Pressler |
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In memory of my beloved grandfather, Isidor Cohn, from Susan Cohn |
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In memory of my father, Theodore Weiss, from Phyllis Hanlon |
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In memory of my mother, Celia Lambert, from Murray Lambert |
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Pastoral Requests |
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ACI is committed to serving our community’s needs. If you would like to add a name to our Mi Sheberach list, inform the synagogue about a hospital visit or death, or request pastoral care for yourself or someone you know, please fill out this simple form. All submissions are confidential. |
Mi Sheberachs |
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Please keep the following people in your hearts and prayers for the blessing of r'fua sh'leima:
Mindy Zimmerman
To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon. |
Yahrzeits |
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This week (6 - 12 Kislev), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Harry Fassler |
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