Rabbi Joshua Rabin
Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms
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February 28, 2025 • 30 Sh'vat, 5785
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Wine Tasting Tomorrow Night 🍷
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Join us for a festive evening of community, wine, and celebration! We'll start with a family-friendly Havdalah service at 6:30 PM, followed by a guided tasting of kosher wines from around the world, led by ACI member Mitch Blas and wine expert Pearl Schwartz of Hakerem Wines & Liquors. Appropriate Kosher charcuterie and Parve (vegan) refreshments will accompany the tasting.
Stock up on your favorites for Purim and Passover! For wine enthusiasts, stay for our special vertical tasting of premium Israeli wines from Domaine Du Castel.
The whole family is welcome - kids can enjoy a movie night while adults sample the wines!
Saturday, March 1st at 6:30pm
Havdalah & Wine Tasting: $18
Optional Premium Tasting: +$36
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Saturday, March 1 at 10am
Tot Shabbat
10:30-11:30am
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:
Junior Congregation
10:30-11:30am
For school-aged children
Upcoming dates:
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Tonight's candle lighting time is 5:28 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Terumah.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 6:28 pm.
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Blood Drive Volunteers Needed
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We would like to bring the NY Blood Center to ACI for a blood drive on Sunday, March 9, but we can only do it if we have enough help! We need 2-3 people who can commit to 2-3 hours between 12 and 6:30pm. Please reach out to Irene if you are able to help us in this crucial project.
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Help Needed With Security Improvements
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If you have construction or construction management experience and are interested in playing a vital role in enhancing the security of our synagogue (specifically for the installation or modification of interior and exterior doors and windows), please email us at [email protected].
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Shabbat Across America on Friday, March 7
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On Friday night, March 7, hundreds of synagogues across the continent will take part in a historic national Jewish event to celebrate what unifies all Jews — Shabbat!
Join us for a family-friendly Shabbat service, followed by a catered dinner in the social hall.
Schedule of Events
5:30 PM - Hebrew School Shabbat Service Begins
6:00 PM - Dinner served in the social hall (registration in advance required)
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Annual Mishloach Manot Fundraiser
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Fulfill the Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot and support ACI at the same time with our annual fundraiser!
- $118 - Sent to All Members
- $18 - Sent to Individual Members
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We will assemble packages of treats and distribute them at the Purim Party and Megillah reading to all ACI members and Hebrew School families. Members receiving a package purchased by multiple friends will receive one basket with a list of the names of all who contributed to the gift.
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🎭 ACI's Purim Carnival on March 16 🎉
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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!
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Open Door Shabbat Calendar
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Our Open Door Shabbat services are back once a month! Upcoming dates are:
- 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].
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This Week in Hebrew School
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This week we started our unit on Purim. In Kitah Aleph, we began learning about the holiday through an interactive puppet show, where students brought the story to life in an engaging and fun way. We also explored a Megillah scroll, noting how it differs from the Torah as it is written only on one side. The class learned that during Purim, we read the Megillat Esther in synagogue, using groggers whenever Haman's name is mentioned.
Next, the children participated in a playful game, "Mr. Clown," where they showed off their hand tricks and gymnastics skills. David shared his visit to the Anne Frank Museum, describing how Anne and her family had to hide quietly for two years to avoid detection.
In Kitah Bet, we also reviewed the story of Purim using hand puppets and examined a Megillah, discussing its unique one-sided scroll. We showed the class different Purim masks from around the world and discussed how various cultures celebrate with costumes, similar to Halloween and Carnival, while highlighting that our tradition is rooted in the story of Esther and is set in ancient Persia. One of our students also shared his visit to the Anne Frank Museum, where he learned about Anne's time in hiding.
In Kitah Gimmel, students explored Purim through the Jewish timeline. The class discussed when the events took place, how the Jewish people ended up in Persia, and the historical context of the Purim story. The students connected the Purim story to the broader history of the Jewish people. We also checked in on their progress with the Famous Jewish Personality projects, which they will present in the coming weeks.
In Hebrew Language class, Kitah Aleph learned how to write and sound out basic Hebrew words associated with the holiday, such as "purim," "esther," and "haman." Kitah Bet reviewed words from their Purim vocabulary and learned new ones such as "vashti," "mordechai," and "yehudim." Students practiced writing the words in their notebooks and reinforced their word identification with a matching activity. In addition to reviewing Hebrew words associated with Purim, Kitah Gimmel learned "mishloach manot," "pur," "goral," and "matanot l'evyonim." They also reinforced their word identification with a challenging vowel-free word search.
In Arts and Crafts, Kitot Aleph and Bet enjoyed designing Purim masks and crowns, while Kitah Gimmel showcased their creativity by crafting realistic-looking hamantaschen using felt and various other materials.
Finally, the rabbi led a conga line starting in the sanctuary and around the building with the entire Hebrew school singing a classic Purim song, "Mi shenichnas Adar marbim b'simcha" (when the month of Adar arrives, we increase our celebration).
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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.
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Happy Birthday to Rabbi Josh!!
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In memory of Yehuda Lindenblatt, from Fran Hirschel
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In memory of beloved mother Rae Braunhut, from Helen Margolin
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In memory of beloved father Meyer Dreher, from Fran Hirschel
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In memory of beloved grandfather Harry Pack, from Andrea Pack
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In memory of beloved cousin Ellen A. Sherman, from Andrea Pack
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In memory of beloved mother Juliette Markowitz, from Steve Markowitz
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In memory of beloved grandmother Anna Heller, from Steve Markowitz
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In memory of beloved mother Sylvia Breitzer, from Janice Pargh
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In memory of beloved grandfather Harry Sklarofsky, from Andrea Pack
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In memory of beloved grandmother Lena Sklarofsky, from Andrea Pack
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In memory of beloved grandmother and grandfather Anna & Benjamin Pack, from Andrea Pack
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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
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
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
Pia Yehudi bat Ze’ev + Pesha
To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon.
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This week (1-7 Adar), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Barnet Richman
Yetty Tuttman
Louis Michalofsky
Max Schwartz
Charlotte Saslow
Ethel Steiger
Mollie Fruchter
Jennie Schnee
Fred Stern
Jacob Gang
Regina Young
Morris Kaplan
Reba K. Newman
Jenny Wegner
Rebecca Wahl
Bella Mickel
Rebecca Krasno
Dr. Jacob Feinberg
Manfred Malsch
Anna Wasserman
Freda Wax
Louis Brettschneider
Balbinna Levy
Ann Schawelson
Blanche Jackson
Joan L. Huttner Nisonoff
Morris M. Mushlin
Rebecca Rosenbaum
Dr. Paul Strasser
Dr. Herman Altman
Annie Friedman
Barnet Polsky
Jacob Louis Steinberg
Robert Rosenberg
Dr. Charles Rabinowitz
Lena Mandel
Renee Irene Griffler
Max Ostrovsky
Abram Holtzman
Anna E. Ratner
Morris Lazar
Jacob Wortman
Betty Friedman
Rosa Hauptman
Regina Srreim
Hymen Albert
Florence Eppsteiner
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