Rabbi Joshua Rabin

Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt

Judaism With Open Arms

Open Door Shabbat Calendar

Our Open Door Shabbat services are back once a month! Upcoming dates are:

• January 11
• February 15
• March 8
• April 26
• May 10
• June 14

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:

• Structure of a prayer experience
• Meaning behind key Jewish prayers
• How to sing when you don't know Hebrew

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].

Pathways to Judaism

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.

Six Week Course: A History of Hatred: Antisemitism from the Past to the Present

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 over Zoom, starting on January 9, 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.

Join us to deepen your understanding of the development of antisemitism since ancient times.

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.

This Week in Hebrew School

Hebrew School did not meet this week, and will not meet next week (December 31) during the NYC Public School break. Have a wonderful Hanukkah and a Happy New Year, and we will see you all again on January 7!

Get Involved Planning ACI's Events!

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, January 14. Reach out to [email protected] for the meeting link.

Pastoral Requests

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.

Please keep the following people in your hearts and prayers for the blessing of r'fua sh'leima:

Mindy Zimmerman
Reyna Rosendorf
Chia Minna bas Asna
Menachem Mendel
Yonah ben Beila V’Yaakov
Shalom ben Haim
Heddy bat Evelyn
Rachel bat Eleaonora
Joel Tarlowe
Aaron Vajda
Zalman Mordechai
Aaron ben Yehudit
Adina bat Guta
Leonard Rosendorf
Shashanna bat Toda
Gary Lefkowitz
Harold Lefkowitz
Eric Laxman
Michael Stoess
Pessah Ruchel bat Dina
Tzvi Hersh Bar Esther
Faith Braunschweig
Deborah Ramirez
Sherwin Lif
HaRav Yaakov ben Esther
Jack Demsheck
Dinah bat Brina
Tovan bat Sarah
Wendy Lu
Faiga Leah bat Devorah
Larry Opoliner
Sarah Chana bat Zeesl
v Dov-Beryl ben Rev
Chaim Ha Levi
Shalom ben Perel
Shaul ben Sara
Dov Shlomo ben Esther
Aviv Mordechai ben Yahel V’Steph
Moshe Ben Tova
Gail Seddon
Sande Lefkowitz

To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon.

This week (27 Kislev - 3 Tevet), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.