Rabbi Joshua Rabin

Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt

Judaism With Open Arms

Adults Only Event
Friday, November 7, 6:30pm

Join us for a Friendsgiving Shabbat hosted at ACI. Mark your calendar for Friday, November 7, as we gather for our usual Shabbat services and a special autumnal vegetarian potluck dinner.

RSVP through this form by Wednesday, November 5, to get the sign-up sheet.

6:30–7:30pm – Erev Shabbat service
7:30–end – Kiddush and vegetarian potluck dinner

Join the ACI community once a month for a no-experience-necessary Shabbat service, where we will explore the structure and meaning behind the prayer service. Learn more here. The next dates:

• November 8
• December 13
• January 10

ACI is partnering with the NY Jewish Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform to organize volunteer groups for worship services at Rikers Island - contact Litza Stark to participate or find out more.

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. Learn more, or join the meditation here.

ACI is offering an introduction to Judaism course via Zoom for those exploring Judaism or considering conversion. The Fall course, held Monday nights, is already underway, and the Spring session will be held Thursday nights from February to June. Learn more and register here.

This Week in Hebrew School

This week, we learned about Simchat Torah—the joy of the Torah—and the very first Parsha in the Torah, Bereshit (The Creation)!

In Kitah Adom, Morah Esther brought in a miniature Torah with a beautiful cover to show the students. We sang a fun Hebrew Alef-Bet song, and Moreh Alty joined us to teach even more songs! Afterwards, the children made their own little Torahs and practiced writing Hebrew letters on them. The highlight of the day was dancing joyfully with their Torahs—it was such a wonderful celebration!

In Kitah Katom, Morah Lydia talked with the children about Torah stories, the five books of the Torah, and the Tanach. They discussed laws and rules—why we need them and what some of them are—and learned the blessing for reading the Torah. The class ended with lots of singing and dancing to celebrate Simchat Torah!

In Kitah Tzahov, Morah Ariane started with a fun “look twice” activity. Students looked closely at a detailed painting of a market in Israel and wrote down what they noticed. When they looked again, they spotted new things—just like how rereading the Torah helps us find new meanings as we grow and change. In Hebrew, they learned the letters sin, mem, and chet, and used them to spell שִׂמְחָה (simcha—joy). They played Hebrew Bingo to practice and wrapped up with a mini Hakafot celebration, dancing around the room with a plush Torah!

In Kitah Yarok, Moreh Alty began by reflecting on the recent High Holidays. Each student shared what moments felt most meaningful—and even the parts they didn’t like so much—and talked about why. Then they explored the deeper meanings of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, leading into the creation story in Bereshit. When they reached the verse “God created humans in His image,” it sparked a lively class discussion and debate! The lesson ended with the beautiful Talmudic teaching Eilu V’eilu Divrei Elohim Chayim—that all opinions, even those that seem completely opposite, can be the words of the Living God when they come from a sincere search for truth. Students were reminded that listening to others’ perspectives helps us better understand our own.

Rabbi Josh worked with Kitah Yarok on different words around the synagogue, and started teaching Ashrei to the students.

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.

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Messages

Refuah Schlemah to Fagah Leah Bat Devorah, from Sue Ann and Mitch

Thanking Sandy Saltzman for his continuing dedication to the wellbeing of ACI, from Sue Ann and Mitch

In memory of Alexandr Leventul, from Alla Leventul

In memory of Jack Burkert, from Lou Epstein

In memory of beloved father, Sol Steiger, from Rich and Marilyn Steiger

Thank you for the Aliyah, from Arlene and Neil Gross

In memory of Paul Lindenblatt, brother of Cantor George Lindenblatt, from Andrea Pack

In honor of the B'nei Mitzvot of Frankie and Daniella, grandchildren of Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt from Andrea Pack

In memory of Mark Sohmer, from Susan Mickel

In memory of my grandfather, Hyman Mickel, from Susan Mickel

In memory of Sam & Ruth Goldstein, from Sandra Levine

In honor of Cantor Lindenblatt, from Sandra Levine

In honor of Sydelle Diner, from Bruce and Judy Diner

Happy Birthday to Susan Mickel, from the Gershon-Stark Family

Please keep the following people in your hearts and prayers for the blessing of r'fua sh'leima:

To add (or remove) a name, please contact Lizanne Fluxmon.

This week (3-9 Cheshvan), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.

George Harris Weitzman

Murray Schwartz 

Frances Geslewitz

Donald Jon Weber

Lillian Meyer  

Harry Cohen  

Rose Sommers  

Tema Leah Jacobs 

Josephine Norden

Mary Streim  

Professor Nathan (Norman) Schmukler

Mark Sohmer

Florence Baumann  

Roscoe Bronstein

Ida Katz

Walter Bersinger

Ralph Schloss

Jeshua Melman  

Germaine Gorstein

Amy Geisenberg 

Sylvia Brody

Joseph Steinhardt

Doris Brownstein

Jacob Bernstein

Fanny Pasteelnick

Sadie Sklarofsky

Sam Wigod   

Max Berkowitz

Beatrice Hamby

Hyman Mickel

David Rosenberg