Rabbi Joshua Rabin

Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt

Judaism With Open Arms

🎭 Save the Date for ACI's Purim Party 🎉

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon on Sunday, March 16, from 2–5 PM!

🎪 Carnival games
🍿 Food & treats
🎨 Face painting
📸 Photo booth
✨ Magic show!

More details coming soon—mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate!

Open Door Shabbat Calendar

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

• 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

This week in Judaic Studies, Kitah Aleph and Bet explored the Jewish value of achrayout—responsibility. The children shared how they demonstrate responsibility at home, such as helping with chores, doing homework, cleaning up, and taking care of their belongings.

We read The Bagel King, sparking curiosity about its title. The story follows Eli, who cherishes Sunday mornings with his Zaida (grandfather) and bagels from Merv’s Bakery. When Zaida falls ill, Eli takes on the responsibility of delivering bagels and chicken soup to him and their neighbors.

Next, we played a responsibility game: each child drew a card with a scenario, and the class decided whether it demonstrated responsibility. Responsible actions, like cleaning up, earned a smiley face, while irresponsible ones, like spilling juice and not cleaning it up, received a different mark.

We concluded with a discussion about Tu B’Shevat and its connection to responsibility—caring for trees, protecting the environment, and recycling.

Kitah Gimmel continued the Jewish Famous Person Project. Emmet presented his final project on Albert Einstein, highlighting his contributions and reputation as a “genius.” Great job, Emmet! Other students are still researching their chosen figures. Please support your child by providing a poster board and assisting with online research.

In Hebrew Language class, we focused on Tu B’Shevat—its meaning, its observance, and the importance of trees in our lives. Students learned and wrote key terms such as Tu B’Shevat, etzim (trees), shivat haminim (the Seven Species), and the Hebrew names of the plants and fruits traditionally celebrated on the holiday. We also played a matching game with the Hebrew and English names of the Seven Species and practiced writing the Hebrew words.

In arts and crafts, most students completed their Shabbat box siddur, and some added woven bookmarks to their books.

Finally, the school gathered in the main sanctuary with Rabbi Josh, who taught them the song “Eitz Chayim,” sung when the Torah is returned to the Ark (and also the name of our Chumashim).

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 beloved friend, Sydelle Diner, from Susan Cohn

In memory of beloved father, Richard Cohn, from Susan Cohn

In memory of cherished brother-in-law, Fred Stern, from Susan

In memory of beloved father, Isadore Seiden, from Ceil Chiprut

In memory of beloved father, Milton Siegel, from Sandra Roth

In memory of beloved mother, Rose Kosecoff Tifford, from Sara Jane Sherman

In memory of in memory of Harry Tifford, from Sara Jane Sherman

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
Moshe Ben Tova
Gail Seddon ( sister of
Murray Lambert)
Sande Lefkowitz
Siviya Leah bat Rochel
Malcolm Mungo
Shlomo ben Eleonora
 זב בן משה (Zev Ben Moshe)

Z'ev Ben Batya V'Avram

Esther bat Chana

Esther Yehudit Bat Bela Rivka

Phylis Hochberg

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

This week (10-16 Sh’vat), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.