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Rabbi Joshua Rabin Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms |
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Friday Flyer |
May 23, 2025 • 25 Iyar, 5785 |
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Celebrate Shavuot with ACI and Malkhut |
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Once again, Malkhut is graciously sharing their exuberant Shavuot celebrations with the ACI community!
When: Sunday, June 1st from 4:30-9:30pm Where: St Mark's Episcopal Church in Jackson Heights (33-50 82nd St, enter off 34th Ave).
This immersive community celebration will feature Torah decoration and garlanding, readings of the 10 Commandments, and a Torah procession down 34th Avenue Open Street (weather permitting), followed by blessings and a potluck dinner at 6pm.
The evening continues with mystical Torah study led by Rabbi Goldenberg exploring Kabbalistic teachings from the Zohar, community singing, and concludes with a dance party.
The first portion through dinner welcomes all ages, while the evening study and activities are for adults (B'Mitzvah age and up). Attendees should bring dairy/vegetarian potluck dishes with serving utensils and allergen labels. |
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Shabbat Services |
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Saturday, May 24 10:00am 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 7:56 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Behar-Bechukotai.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 9:03 pm. |
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Rabbi Alvin Kass to Be Honored by JTS |
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The Jewish Theological Seminary's Center for Pastoral Education is hosting its 2025 Benefit Luncheon on Tuesday, June 10th from 11:30am-2:00pm at JTS (3080 Broadway at 122nd Street).
The event, titled "Compassion in Action," will honor ACI's own Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass, Chief Chaplain for the New York City Police Department, with the Pastoral Care Leadership Award. NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch will attend and offer tribute remarks for Rabbi Kass, recognizing his distinguished service in spiritual care and law enforcement chaplaincy. If any in the ACI community is interested in attending, please register here.
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Come to a Special Kiddush on June 7 |
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Please join us in two weeks (June 7), as we honor the memory of Ben Vajda on the occasion of his 17th Yahrzeit. (Ben was the father of member Sue Ann Vajda.) After services, Sue Ann and husband Mitch Blas are hosting a catered (Kosher-dairy-parve-veggie) Kiddush luncheon in memory of Ben. See you then!
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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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Mazal Tov to Drs. Julia Holber and Benjamin Jadow, on your wedding this weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! |
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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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To start our program, Kitah Bet and Gimmel, together with several parents, were privileged to hear a deeply moving presentation by our beloved Cantor Lindenblatt, who served with distinction as Cantor at ACI for close to 50 years.
Cantor Lindenblatt shared powerful memories of his childhood in Budapest during World War II, vividly recounting daily life under German occupation and the harrowing experience of enduring relentless air raids. He presented rare footage from an underground shelter where his family sought refuge, narrating a silent film taken during those dangerous times. The presentation also included interviews recorded in 2023 with the Cantor and two of his brothers, offering firsthand testimony of their survival.
He spoke with heartfelt detail about the severe privations of the war years, his journey across Europe afterward, and his eventual emigration to America, where he reunited with his uncle, received an education, and became a Maccabee Water Polo champion. A particularly poignant part of his talk centered on the Glass House in Budapest—operated by Carl Lutz, the Swiss Vice-Consul—who courageously saved over 60,000 Hungarian Jews and is honored by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. Cantor Lindenblatt expressed deep gratitude that his immediate family remained together and survived the war, a rare and extraordinary outcome.
His story was both gripping and profoundly inspiring. Our students were deeply moved by his testimony and engaged with thoughtful questions. It was an unforgettable experience for all who attended.
Judaica Class Kitah Aleph and Bet continued the Shavuot unit by playing an educational "Harvest Game" where children learned the names of The Seven Species (שבעת המינים) in Hebrew: חִטָּה (Wheat), שְׂעוֹרָה (Barley), גֶּפֶן (Grape), תְּאֵנָה (Fig), רִמּוֹן (Pomegranate), זַיִת שֶׁמֶן (Olive), and דְּבַשׁ (Date/honey). We discussed bikkurim, the first fruits brought to the Temple in ancient times, and their significance on Shavuot. Students pretended to be farmers harvesting fruit, worked in teams to find Hebrew fruit pictures, colored them, and matched Hebrew names to fruits while sharing statements of gratitude.
Arts and Crafts After learning about the work of a Sofer (scribe) the previous week, all students decorated their own personal mezuzah using gems, paint, and mosaic tiles, which they can mount on their doorposts after inserting a klaf (parchment scroll).
Hebrew Language We engaged in meaningful discussion about Shavuot—exploring why it is celebrated, the significance of its name, and its unique customs. Students recorded important Hebrew terms in their notebooks, including תּוֹרָה (Torah), הַר סִינַי (Har Sinai), עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת (Aseret HaDibrot, the Ten Commandments), חָלָב (Chalav, dairy), בִּכּוּרִים (Bikkurim, first fruits), קָצִיר (Katzir, harvest), and שִׁבְעַת הַמִּינִים (Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species). This exploration deepened our understanding of Shavuot's rich heritage and meaningful traditions.
Finally, Kitah Aleph met with Rabbi Josh to review all the songs they learned throughout the year. |
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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. |
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 (26 Iyar - 3 Sivan), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Dorothy Zinn |
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