Rabbi Joshua Rabin

Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt

Judaism With Open Arms

As you can see, ACI has a full calendar of exciting Hanukkah events in the works, but we need your help to make them all happen! If you'd like to help out with activities both at ACI and around the neighborhood, please contact Joanna at [email protected].

12/11, 7:00–8:30 PM — From Oil to Oil with Adamah at ACI

Get ready for a deliciously meaningful night! Join Adamah NY, Astoria Center of Israel, and Wandering Jews of Astoria for From Oil to Oil—an evening of olive-oil tasting, sustainability insights, and good vibes as we gear up for Chanukah. Perfect for Young Professionals (25–45) who love food, friends, and a little eco-reflection.
Location: ACI, 27-35 Crescent Street, Astoria

12/16, 5:30–6:30 PM — Athens Park Menorah Lighting + Live Klezmer

Light up the night with ACI and the Astoria community! Enjoy a joy-filled menorah lighting, lively klezmer music by the Alex Parke Duo, and plenty of refreshments, glowsticks, and gelt for the kids. Fun for every age and stage!
Location: Athens Park, 30th St & 30th Ave, Astoria

12/18, 5:30–6:30 PM — Puppets & Potato Pancakes at the Bohemian Hall

Step into a magical Hanukah evening featuring the whimsical Wonderspark Puppets! We’ll kick off with a menorah lighting, then enjoy a festive puppet show inside the cozy Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Stick around afterward for potato pancakes, beer, and mingling with local families.
Recommended for families.
Location: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Ave, Astoria

12/20, (Time TBD) — Craft Brews & Candle Lighting at SingleCut Beersmiths 

Relax, sip, and celebrate! Join us for a casual menorah lighting followed by craft brews, great bites, and nostalgic holiday cartoons—including the classic Rugrats Hanukah. RSVP and snag a free drink ticket! Come solo or bring your crew—everyone’s welcome.
Location: SingleCut Beersmiths, 19-33 37th St, Astoria

12/21, 2:00–5:00 PM — ACI Hanukah Pajamakah Party

It’s ACI’s annual Hanukah party… pajama style! Wear your coziest Hanukah or everyday jammies and enjoy an afternoon packed with music, face painting, an upcycled craft table with Adamah NY,  cookie decorating, a photo booth, treats, and more. Spin dreidels, meet friends, and even watch a laser customize dreidels!
Thanks to PJ Library for sponsoring this snuggly celebration.
Advance tickets available soon on our website: $30/family, $8/individual

This new Jewish year we are thrilled to partner with Hadar’s Project Zug to offer ACI members a wonderful opportunity to deepen your Jewish learning with curated, text-based courses designed to spark rich discussion. In this course, titled Out of the Ruins: Jewish Wisdom on Resilience, we’ll look to our own tradition, focusing on narratives from the Torah as well as the events of Jewish history to mine our texts for wisdom on resilience. We’ll ask: what are the different shapes resilience takes and how might we cultivate our own capacity for resilience based on the wisdom of Jewish tradition? This is a chance not only to engage in Jewish text study, but also to connect on a deeper level with fellow community members.

The class will meet four times (virtually) on Thursdays in January (January 8, 15, 22, and 29) from 8-9:30 pm. The class is free for ACI members, with a suggested donation of $36 for non-members.

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:

• December 13
• January 10
• February 7

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, all our classes centered their learning around the theme of Jewish gratitude—thanksgiving, praise, and appreciation. Students explored what it means to feel grateful, what inspires gratitude in their daily lives, and how we express thanks to others. They shared personal experiences of moments when they felt thankful and discussed ways to help others and notice acts of kindness rather than take them for granted.

We learned and practiced several Hebrew greetings connected to gratitude, including:

תּוֹדָה (Todah) – Thank you

רַבָּה (Rabah) – Very much

בְּבַקָּשָׁה (Bevakashah) – You’re welcome

Students in Kitah Tzahov also learned that Judaism offers blessings for many aspects of life—such as thanking God and expressing gratitude for our food. Together we studied Modeh/Modah Ani, the beloved morning prayer of thanks traditionally recited upon waking. Students practiced reciting it, discussed what they personally want to feel grateful for each morning, and were encouraged to place the prayer in their bedrooms as a daily reminder.

In Hebrew, we continued building our letter and vowel knowledge, adding ל (lamed) and the vowel וֹ (cholam), which students added to their binder rings.

We also enjoyed a joyful music session with Moreh Alty, where the children sang gratitude-themed songs, including Modeh Ani. 

In Kitah Katom, students reviewed the Hebrew alphabet in a fun, musical “Mary Poppins–style” way. To conclude the week, each student created a heartfelt thank-you card for someone who makes them feel grateful.

Next week (December 2), we'll have Camp Ramah joining us for an activity and pizza. Hebrew School guardians are invited! Please RSVP to Shana. 

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

In memory of Gloria DeLisi, from Susan Mickel

In memory of Rabbi Alvin Kass, from Allen Steinberg

In memory of Margaret Epstein, from Lou Epstein

In memory of Alia Lambert, from Murray Lambert

In memory of Jeff and Betty Badler, from Jennie Badler

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

This week (9-15 Kislev), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.