|
|
|
|
Rabbi Joshua Rabin Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms |
|
|
Friday Flyer |
May 9, 2025 • 11 Iyar, 5785 |
|
|
|
Tonight! Our First Israel Policy Forum Event |
|
While registration for dinner is now closed, all are welcome to join us for the lecture tonight! We'll be hearing from Alex Lederman of the Israel Policy Forum on "19 Months of Upheaval: Israel's Challenges in a Post-October 7 Era." While recommended for adults ages 21-45, all are welcome to attend.
|
|
|
|
|
Potluck Kiddush Tomorrow |
|
Please join us this Shabbat, May 10, for a community potluck Kiddush after services and Junior Congregation.
No contribution of food is required, but if you can, please bring a dairy/parve dish to share (sign up here).
|
|
Open Door Shabbat |
|
Saturday, May 10
There will be a brief meditation service from 10-10:30am, followed by a learning service.
Junior Congregation 10:30-11:30am Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze! Join us after services for a potluck Kiddush. |
|
|
Upcoming Children’s Programs |
|
Tot Shabbat 10:30-11:30am For preschool children
Pre-B'nei Mitzvah Program 10:30-11:30am
|
|
|
Candle Lighting |
|
Tonight's candle lighting time is 7:43 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Acharei-Kedoshim.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 8:48 pm. |
|
|
Sign Up for a Shabbat Meal Swap! |
|
Start your summer by spending Shabbat with Jews across Western Queens. Our Shabbat Meal Swap will give people a chance to attend a Shabbat dinner in someone else's home or host someone for their Shabbat dinner. Anyone is welcome to volunteer to host or be hosted; you do NOT need to be a member to attend.
Please complete this form by May 31, 2025: https://forms.gle/npqpMgvBW8U3TBrt8
|
|
|
Submit Your Ads for the 2025 Journal |
|
This year, we celebrate Ari Gershon and Litza Stark, both of them longtime members and volunteers at ACI. Ari, a past President (2022-2024) and long-term Education Chair, has dedicated over a decade to overseeing Hebrew-school programming while working to maintain and modernize our synagogue. Litza, a current Board member, has modernized the Center's communications, organized family-friendly programming, and participated in social justice activities.
Join us in honoring their commitment to ACI at our Anniversary Journal service on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The Journal is ACI's major fundraiser supporting our aging building, religious services, and multi-generational programs. In these times of increasing antisemitism, supporting Jewish spaces like ACI is crucial.
Submit your ads and tributes by May 30, 2025, either online at astoriacenter.org/journal-order or via the our paper form. Contact Elysa at [email protected] with questions. |
|
Announcing ACI's New Pre-B'nei Mitzvah Program! |
|
ACI is thrilled to launch our Pre-B'nei Mitzvah Enrichment Program, focusing on preparing students to learn and confidently recite many of the familiar prayers found in the Shabbat morning liturgy. Classes meet on the first and third Shabbat of every month.
The program is designed for students ages 10 - 13 who have completed at least five years of Hebrew language instruction, or possess an equivalent level of proficiency, and are ready to enhance their Hebrew reading skills.
For additional details about the program or to register, please contact [email protected]. |
|
|
Open Door Shabbat Calendar |
|
Our Open Door Shabbat services are back once a month! 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]. |
|
This Week in Hebrew School |
|
As we continued our unit on Israel's independence, students in Hebrew class learned the words to "Hadegel Sheli" ("My Flag") by renowned Israeli poet and lyricist Yoram Taharlev. The song tells a nostalgic story inspired by the poet's grandmother, who shared memories of her kibbutz days and her deep pride in Israel's blue and white flag.
Students expanded their Hebrew vocabulary with words such as degel (flag), sheli (my), kachol (blue), lavan (white), etmol (yesterday), hayom (today), and machar (tomorrow). They practiced writing these words and enjoyed singing together with Morot Lydia and Shana.
In Judaica class, Kitot Aleph and Bet explored Ahavat Mishpachah—the love and respect we show family members. We discussed how honoring parents is one of the Torah's most important mitzvot.
Children shared heartfelt examples of showing love at home: hugging family members, saying "thank you," and helping with chores. We compared American Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations with Israel's Yom HaMishpachah (Family Day).
We read "The Two Brothers," a moving tale about siblings who secretly leave extra wheat for each other, only to meet at night and discover their mutual love and generosity.
For Mother's Day, children created handmade cards, including Hebrew vocabulary like Ima (mother), Abba (father), and Mishpachah (family). Kitah Gimmel continued its unit on antisemitism—its history and relevance today. Students learned about various historical forms, including the 12th-century blood libels, 15th-century forced conversions and expulsions, 19th-century Russian pogroms, and early 20th-century Nuremberg Laws. We concluded with the Dreyfus Affair, a turning point in modern Jewish history. Students learned about Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army officer wrongfully convicted of treason. This case exposed deep antisemitism in French society and helped spark the modern Zionist movement.
In art class, students explored the Hamsa, a symbol of protection and blessings in Jewish culture. Each student traced their hand onto decorative paper, then cut out and embellished their personal Hamsa designs.
Students then gathered in the main sanctuary with Rabbi Josh, who taught them a new song. |
|
|
Celebrate Life’s Milestones at Astoria World Manor |
|
Planning a bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, baby naming, or community celebration? Astoria World Manor—just minutes away—is honored to host events for families in our local Jewish community. With elegant banquet rooms, flexible outside catering options, and respectful staff, AWM is the perfect place for your next event.
Ask about our special rates for Astoria Center of Israel!
25-22 Astoria Blvd, Astoria, NY |
|
|
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 our beloved Harold, Neera, and Frank,
with love from Sue Ann & Mitch
|
|
|
|
Get well wishes to Phylis, Nora and Rony, and Kat,
with love from Sue Ann & Mitch
|
|
|
|
Get well Phylis Hochberg, from Susan Cohn
|
|
|
|
Yizkor for loved ones, from Susan Cohn
|
|
|
|
In memory of Yehuda Lindenblatt, from Susan Cohn
|
|
|
|
Yizkor for Bernard Steinberg, from Allen Steinberg
|
|
|
|
In memory of Jeff's dad Maurice, from Jeff & Jen Badler
|
|
|
|
In memory of Alex & Jeanne Seigel, from Barbara Palmadesso
|
|
|
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 Eric Laxman Michael Stoess Pessah Ruchel Bat Dina Tzvi Hersh Bar Esther Faith Braunschweig Deborah Ramirez 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 Shandle Gittle bat Rivka Rosie Lazaro
Debbie Katzen Blaustein
Dr. Kathryn Alexander
Phylis Hochberg
Rony Joel
Nora Joel
Asher Chaim ben Carol
To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon. |
Yahrzeits |
|
This week (12 - 18 Iyar), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Morris Magidow Jack Mickel |
|
|
|
|