Rabbi Joshua Rabin
Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms
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September 5, 2025 • 12 Elul, 5785
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High Holiday Volunteers Needed!
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Preparing the sanctuary
Please join us after services on Saturday, September 13 to help prepare our sanctuary for the High Holidays. We'll be changing Torah covers and curtains in the Ark, as well as bringing out the Machzorim. Many hands make light work!
High holiday ushers
We're looking for volunteers to serve as ushers during High Holiday services. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome congregants and visitors to our synagogue. You can sign up here on the 'HH Ushers 2025' tab. Please contact Susan if you would like more information.
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Saturday, September 6 at 10am
Welcome back! Shabbat services resume tomorrow after our summer hiatus. We are pleased to announce that Audrey Honig will be leading services.
Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze! Please join us afterwards for a light Kiddush.
There will be a brief meditation service from 10-10:30am, followed by a learning service.
Saturday, April 26
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Shabbat Children's Programs Return Soon!
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Tot Shabbat
10:30-11:30am
For preschool children
Upcoming dates
- September 20
- October 4
- October 18
Junior Congregation
10:30-11:30am
For school-aged children
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Tonight's candle lighting time is 7:03 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Ki Teitzei.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 8:01 pm.
Tonight's candle lighting time is 6:59 pm. The weekly Torah portion is Pekudei.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 7:59 pm.
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Sign Up for ROOTED-A Jewish Day of Service for the Earth
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
2-4pm
Astoria location to be announced
This September, join New Yorkers of all ages from across NYC, Westchester, and Long Island for ROOTED-a powerful, hands-on volunteer day of environmental service grounded in Jewish values. From parks to beaches to gardens, we’ll roll up our sleeves and care for the earth together, as one big New York family.
ROOTED launches a sacred week of reflection, action, and renewal, closing out Elul and leading us into Rosh Hashanah and Climate Week NYC.
Sign up NOW at adamah.org/rooted
(We'll let you know the time and location once we receive our project assignment.)
Let’s spread some joy, give back to the planet, and do something beautiful-together.
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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New This Fall:
Quiet the Sunday Scaries with Rabbi Josh
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Starting this Sunday, September 7, join Rabbi Josh each Sunday night from 9:00-9:15 pm ET on Zoom for a brief meditation to close out the weekend and start the new week with calmness, focus, and purpose. Our meditation is open to anyone who wants a few minutes of quiet to center themselves. Join the meditation by scanning the QR code below, or clicking on this link: https://tinyurl.com/3t77tvcv.
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New Open Door Shabbat Dates
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Our regular Shabbat services resume on September 6, and this year's Open Door Shabbat services begin the following week. Mark your calendars with all of the upcoming dates this year:
- September 13
- October 11
- November 8
- December 13
- January 10
- February 7
- March 14
- April 11
- May 9
- June 6
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 community 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
It's not just for newcomers, though! This is an excellent opportunity to dig deeper into prayers and rituals that may have become rote.
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 rabbi@astoriacenter.org.
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High Holiday Tickets On Sale Now
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Join us this fall as we come together to celebrate the High Holidays – a time of reflection, renewal, and community.
Services are, as always, free for ACI members, and $36 per adult, per holiday for non-members and associate members.
The children’s playroom will be open and available throughout services, in addition to the special children's programs listed below.
Our YouTube livestream will be provided for all services in the sanctuary.
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Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22
- 6:30 PM - Evening Service
Tuesday, September 23
- 9:30 AM - Morning Service
- 11:00 AM - Children's Program: Music with Tkiya (ages 0-5)
- Following services: Tashlich in Astoria Park (by the War Memorial)
Wednesday, September 24
- 9:30 AM - Morning Service
- 11:00 AM - Children's Program: Puppet Show "The Silent Shofar" with Wondersparks
Saturday, September 27
- 10:00 AM - Shabbat Shuva services at ACI
- 10:30 AM - Tot Shabbat with Shana in Astoria Park (Shore Blvd & Grassy Lawn by the Skate Park)
Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 1
Thursday, October 2
- 9:30 AM - Morning Service
- 11:00 AM - Children's Program: Music with Tkiya (ages 0-5)
- 12:00 PM - Yizkor
- 5:00 PM - Mincha/Maariv/Neilah
- 5:30 PM - Children's Program: Puppet Show "Ash & Solly" with Wondersparks
- 7:16 PM - Fast Ends & Potluck Break Fast Dinner
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Bringing Jewish Worship to Rikers Island
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ACI is proud to be a member organization of the New York Jewish Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform. As part of this partnership, we will be organizing groups of volunteers several times a year to participate in weekday worship services at Rikers Island. This is a meaningful opportunity both to share in Jewish worship with our neighbors, and to learn about the experiences of those who are incarcerated there.
We will be planning our first visit in late September around the High Holidays, and will attempt to work around volunteers' schedules in choosing a date. If you are interested in participating in this or any future visits, or if you have any questions about the project, please contact Litza Stark at [email protected].
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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Register for ACI's Hebrew School
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Don’t miss out! Hebrew School Registration is OPEN!
Spots are filling up fast — reserve your child’s place today for a meaningful, joyful year of Jewish learning, holidays, Hebrew, and fun!
Ready to enroll? Our new school year starts on September 9. Secure your child's spot now and start the year off strong. Sign up here.
Want to learn more? Read more about our program and staff on ACI's website, or contact [email protected] with any questions.
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Pathways to Judaism and Conversion Class
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Today, many of us are finding our way within Judaism. Some want to reconnect, while others decide whether to choose Judaism as their spiritual home.
ACI is proud to offer Pathways to Judaism, an opportunity for individuals to learn about Judaism from the ground up. The class is designed for individuals seeking an introduction to Judaism or those considering conversion to Judaism. ACI’s program is an affiliate of the Miller Introduction to Judaism program at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California.
Thanks to a generous grant from the National Center to Encourage Judaism, ACI will offer the course twice in 2025-26. The first session will be held on Mondays from September 2025 to January 2026, and the second will be held on Thursdays from February 2026 to June 2026. Classes for both cohorts will be held via Zoom from 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET.
Click here for more information and to register.
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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Join Rabbi Josh and LiveOnNY
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Join Rabbi Josh on Sunday, September 21st, for the LiveOnNY Donor Heroes 5K at Flushing Meadows Corona Park—a meaningful run/walk honoring the heroes of organ and tissue donation. This is more than just a 5K; it’s a chance to come together as a community, celebrate life, and support a vital cause.
Whether you’re a runner, walker, or cheerleader, join us as part of our team. Let’s move with purpose and make a difference—together!
Register here to learn more and pick "Team ACI" as your 5K team.
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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Pastoral Requests
ACI is committed to serving our community’s needs. If you would like to 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.
Do You Want to Pray for Someone Who Is Sick?
Each Shabbat at ACI, we recite a מי שברך לחולים, a prayer for those in our community who are sick and in need of healing. You are welcome to add anyone to the list, regardless of whether the person is Jewish or not.
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In loving memory of my sister, Margit Cohn from Susan Cohn
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In loving memory of my uncle, Rabbi Franklin Cohn, from Susan Cohn
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In loving memory of my grandmother, Marie Lehner, from Susan Cohn
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In loving memory of my grandfather, Herman Lehner, from Susan Cohn
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In loving memory of my grandmother Fannie, from Susan Cohn
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In loving memory of my dear friend, Lotte Finnochiaro, from Susan Cohn
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In memory of Cantor Lindenblatt's brother, Paul Lindenblatt, from Susan Cohn
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In memory of beloved Uncle Lester Schulman,
from Sue Ann Vajda and Mitch Blas
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In honor of Rabbi Josh, his wife, Yael Hammerman, and their family, on the Bat Mitzvah of his daughter, Hannah Meira, from Andrea Pack
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In Honor of Cantor Emeritus and Mrs. George Lindenblatt's family celebrating the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs of their grandchildren, Frankie and Daniella, from Andrea Pack
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In memory of Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt's beloved brother Paul, 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
Asher Chaim ben Carol
Jonah Alexander Hyman
Aaron Vajda
Zalman Mordechai Aaron ben Yehudit
Adina bat Guta
Leonard Rosendorf
Faith Braunschweig
Shashanna Bat Toda
Jack Demsheck
Tovan bat Sarah
Faiga Leah bat Devorah
Sarah Chana bat Zeesl v
Dov-Beryl ben Rev Chaim HaLevi
Shalom ben Perel
Gail Seddon
Siviya Leah bat Rochel
Malcolm Mungo
זב בן משה (Zev Ben Moshe)
Esther Bat Chana
Shandle Gittle bat Rivka
Rosie Lazaro
Avram Michal Ben Sylvia V'Fred Wishnoff
Gary Lefkowitz
Eric Laxman
Michael Stoess
Natanel Elazar Ben Devorah Gal
Pessah Ruchel Bat Dina
Tzvi Hersh Bar Esther
Rachel bat Eleaonora
Joel Tarlowe
Rony Joel
Nora Joel
Deborah Ramirez
HaRav Yaakov ben Esther
Dinah Bat Brina
Wendy Lu
Larry Opoliner
Shaul ben Sara
Sande Lefkowitz
Shlomo ben Eleonora
Z'ev Ben Batya V'Avram
Pia Yehudi bat Ze'ev + Pesha
Miriam bat Chana v Shaul
To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon.
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This week (13 - 19 Elul), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Evelyn Freed Marshak
Miriam Toplowitz
Marilyn Turk
Harry Diner
Fred N. Wolff
Shirley Vajda
Herman Cohen
Mel Reicher
Sylvia Levine
Samuel Hammer
Boris Levy
Nat Lehrman
Harry Epstein
Yetta Rosa
Julius Safir
Sally Meyers
Grace Blumstein
Dr. Alexander Strasser
Annie Klein
Samuel P. Samuels
Ethel Freed
Ruth Baker (Ruth bat-Chaim v'Chana)
Arthur Wohl
Ethel Sohmer
Sidney Abrams
Samuel Tugender
Louis Gerry
Herbert Dornfest
Sylvia Wachtel-Isaacson
Yetta Alterman
Esther Axelrod
Bessie Aron Franklin
Theresa Pett
Emmanuel Rubin
Henry L. Holland
Bella Zwicker
Jack L. Blas
Rose Bard
Ethel Badian
Philip Dembowitz
Morris Schwartz
Berta Meyer
Joseph Back
Annie Klein
Samuel P. Samuels
Ethel Freed
Ruth Baker (Ruth bat-Chaim v'Chana)
Arthur Wohl
Ethel Sohmer
Sidney Abrams
Samuel Tugender
Louis Gerry
Herbert Dornfest
Sylvia Wachtel-Isaacson
Yetta Alterman
Esther Axelrod
Bessie Aron Franklin
Theresa Pett
Emmanuel Rubin
Henry L. Holland
Bella Zwicker
Jack L. Blas
Rose Bard
Ethel Badian
Philip Dembowitz
Morris Schwartz
Berta Meyer
Joseph Back
This week (21 - 27 Nisan), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
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