Rabbi Joshua Rabin

Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt

Judaism With Open Arms

Friday Flyer

January 10, 2025 • 10 Tevet, 5785

Join Us for Open Door Shabbat Tomorrow!

Join us tomorrow for Open Door Shabbat and Junior Congregation, then stay for a light Kiddush afterwards!

Our next community potluck will be on January 25th.

Board Meeting Tuesday, January 14

ACI's monthly Board Meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday night, January 14 at 8pm. All members are invited to attend; a Zoom link will be distributed in advance of the meeting.

Events Meeting Tuesday, January 15

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, generally the second Tuesday of every month at 8pm (over Zoom).

Our next meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, January 15. Reach out to [email protected] for the meeting link.

Shabbat Services

Saturday, January 11 at 10am

Junior Congregation

From 10:30-11:30am

Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze.

Upcoming Children’s Programs

Tot Shabbat

10:30-11:30am

For preschool children

Upcoming dates:

January 18
February 1

Junior Congregation

10:30-11:30am

For school-aged children

Upcoming dates:

January 11
January 25

Candle Lighting

Shabbat

Tonight's candle lighting time is 4:30 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Veyechi.

Havdalah will be Saturday at 5:34 pm.

Open Door Shabbat Calendar

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

January 11 - This Shabbat!
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].

This Week in Hebrew School

In Judaic Studies this week, Kitah Aleph (1st grade) discussed Shabbat customs, with children sharing their understanding of the sacred day. We read Hannah and the Shabbat Dress, wherein Hannah's dress becomes clean after she helps a man, emphasizing kindness. The children enthusiastically acted out the story.

Kitah Bet (2nd grade) continued learning about Jewish life cycle events, focusing on weddings. Students learned about the chuppah, bride circling the groom, ring exchange, and glass breaking. The children were fascinated by a 1958 ketubah shared from my family. Thank you to parents who sent family pictures for our project—please send grandparent photos for next week's lesson on aging. We watched a wedding scene from Fiddler on the Roof to see these traditions.

Kitah Gimmel (3rd grade) studied early Sephardic Jews in America, including Luis de Torres, who arrived with Columbus. We discussed Jewish settlement in Brazil and New Amsterdam (later New York). Next week, we'll explore the first American synagogues, Jewish immigration, and Civil War contributions. Students will begin researching Jewish figures who contributed to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).

In Hebrew Language, Kitah Aleph and Bet reviewed the alphabet and its numerical values. Students learned "Ve'ahavta" ואהבתה (and you shall love), practicing letter identification and discussing its significance in Ve'ahavta et Elohecha and Ve'ahavta et Re'acha Kamocha. We practiced Hebrew months and holidays, with special attention to the letter Tzadi.

In Arts and Crafts, students began creating personal Shabbat siddurim (prayer books) containing Friday night, Shabbat afternoon, and Havdalah blessings. They decorated covers and will add content over several weeks.

For T'fillah, Rabbi Josh accompanied "L'cha Dodi" on guitar, teaching this traditional Friday night melody for welcoming Shabbat.

For T'fillah, Rabbi Josh accompanied "V'Shamru" on guitar, teaching this traditional melody sung during Friday night services and Shabbat Kiddush.

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.

Messages

In memory of my Aunt Emma Cohn, from Susan Cohn

In memory of my Uncle Herbert Geisenberg, from Susan Cohn

Mi Sheberachs

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
Moshe Ben Tova
Gail Seddon
Sande Lefkowitz
Siviya Leah bat Rochel
Malcolm Mungo

Shlomo ben Eleonora

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

Yahrzeits

This week (11 - 17 Tevet), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.

Dora Arian
Hinda Kopelman
Jennie Friedlander
Harry Finkelstein
Joseph N. Redisch
Ruchel Kisslinger
Benjamin L. Markowitz
Leon Geslewitz
Samuel H. Greiff
Max Miller
Jennie Diner
Abraham Gedalia Cohen
Norman Kempin
Morris Alterman
Norman Weinberg
Elsie Flatow
Hugo Markus
Bessie Ostrav
Joseph Mendel Schwar
Edward Gunsberg
Samuel Cintron
Hon. Nathan A Goldenthal