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Rabbi Joshua Rabin Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms |
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Friday Flyer |
May 16, 2025 • 18 Iyar, 5785 |
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Submit Your Ads for the 2025 Journal |
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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. |
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Shabbat Services |
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Saturday, May 17 10:00am
Tot Shabbat & Pre-B'nei Mitzvah Program 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 & Junior Congregation have wrapped up for this school year. Thank you for a wonderful year, and we will see you in the Fall!
Pre-B'nei Mitzvah Program 10:30-11:30am
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Candle Lighting |
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Tonight's candle lighting time is 7:50 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Emor.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 8:56 pm. |
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Sign Up for a Shabbat Meal Swap! |
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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
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Join ACI at Queens Pride on June 1! |
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ACI will be sending a delegation to march with our neighbors at the Queens Pride Parade on June 1 in Jackson Heights!
We'll be meeting at 11:30am on Sunday June 1, 2025 in front of the Trade Fair at 37th Avenue and 89th St. in Jackson Heights. Contact [email protected] if you plan to join us so that we can include you in coordinating the meetup!
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Open Door Shabbat Calendar |
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Our Open Door Shabbat services are back once a month! The last of the year will take place on 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:
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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We began our exciting unit on Shavuot — the Festival of Weeks — exploring its connections to Torah, tradition, and agriculture through hands-on, joyful learning activities.
Kitot Aleph & Bet Our classes learned that Shavuot celebrates Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) seven weeks after Passover. Students participated in a special Show and Tell with a miniature Torah scroll, examining its beautiful cover, delicate parchment, and Hebrew letters. The children sang songs like "Torah, Torah" and "Etz Chayim Hi" while dancing as if in synagogue. Kitah Aleph reenacted bringing harvest offerings to the ancient Temple, with some children filling baskets with pretend fruits and grains while others played the role of Kohanim. Kitah Bet explored the holiday's multiple names: Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of First Fruits), Zman Matan Torateinu (Time of Giving Our Torah), and Chag HaKatzir (Harvest Festival).
Kitah Gimmel We launched our Israel Studies unit with "Small but Outstanding," a video highlighting Israel's global contributions. Students discovered Israel's many names including Eretz Yisrael, The Promised Land, Zion, and The Start-Up Nation. We explored its geography, climate, neighboring countries, and diverse landscapes from mountains to deserts. The children were especially impressed by Israel's achievements in science and innovation, learning about its high number of Nobel Prize winners per capita.
Hebrew Language & Judaica All classes focused on the mezuzah — what it is, what it contains, its placement, and significance. Students learned about the Shema prayer contained within and practiced writing and pronouncing key words: Mezuzah and Shaddai (Shomer Dlatot Yisrael – Guardian of the Doors of Israel). Each child also learned the traditional blessing recited when affixing a mezuzah.
Special Guest: Sofer Mendel Raitport Our visiting scribe demonstrated Torah scroll creation, explaining parchment preparation, special ink ingredients, and the writing process using quills made from animal feathers. He discussed the significance of letter "crowns" and how a single mistake can render a Torah pasul (invalid). Each student practiced writing Hebrew letters on parchment with a hand-carved quill and ink. In the coming weeks, students will decorate their own personal mezuzot. |
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Celebrate Life’s Milestones at Astoria World Manor |
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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 |
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Pastoral Requests |
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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. |
Messages |
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In memory of my beloved parents, Alex and Jeanne Siegel,
from Mrs. Sara Scicluna
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Get well wishes to Abby and Jay, with love from Sue Ann & Mitch
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In memory of my Dad, Ben Vajda, a/k/a “Benji” - “Uncle Ben” or “the Mayor,” with “Love and Misses” from your daughter, Sue Ann |
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Yahrzeit Correction |
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Last week's flyer erroneously contained this week's Yahrzeit list. Below are the correct Yahrzeit names for last week, 12-18 Iyar. We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused! |
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Mindel Eisenberg |
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Esther Wasserman Dora Kaplan Rabinorvitz |
Mi Sheberachs |
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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 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
Jonah Alexander Hyman
To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon. |
Yahrzeits |
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This week (19 - 25 Iyar), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Morris Magidow Jack Mickel |
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