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Rabbi Joshua Rabin Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms |
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Friday Flyer |
January 16, 2026 • 27 Tevet, 5786 |
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ACI Kabbalat Shabbat / Kabba-Tot Shabbat |
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Join ACI at 6:00 pm on Friday, January 30th for our first Kabbalat Shabbat of the year. Services for all will be held in the sanctuary, with Tot Shabbat offered simultaneously in the children’s playroom. The service is appropriate for community members of all ages, and attendance is strongly encouraged (including Young Professionals, Hebrew School families, and Tot Shabbat regulars!) After services, stay for an Oneg with snacks and refreshments, a L’Chaim, and time to schmooze with fellow ACI community members. No RSVP necessary. Please direct any questions to [email protected]. |
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Save the Date: |
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Update your calendars! ACI’s Purim Party will be on March 1st, 2026. Our Centennial Shabbat Across America dinner will be held on March 13, 2026. |
Shabbat Services |
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Saturday, January 17 Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze. Join us after services for a light Kiddush! |
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Upcoming Shabbat Children's Programs |
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Tot Shabbat 10:30-11:30am For preschool children
Junior Congregation 10:30-11:30am For school-aged children
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Candle Lighting |
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Shabbat candle lighting time is tonight at 4:36 pm.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 5:40 pm.
This week's Torah reading is Vaera. |
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Join the ACI Book Club! |
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The Astoria Center of Israel Book Club will be launching in the next month or so, and we'd love your feedback as to when we might meet. The club will meet approximately every other month. Please complete the form here. The first book will be A Rich Brew by Shachar Pinsker. |
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A Rich Brew explores the surprising and central role that cafés played in shaping modern Jewish culture from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. Literary scholar Shachar M. Pinsker argues that cafés across six major cities — Odessa, Warsaw, Vienna, Berlin, New York, and Tel Aviv — became vital “thirdspaces” where Jewish writers, thinkers, artists, and political activists met, debated, created, and exchanged ideas. More than just places to drink coffee, these social hubs helped foster creativity and community during a time of rapid urbanization and migration. Drawing on memoirs, archival documents, literature, and visual culture, Pinsker shows how café life influenced literature, politics, art, and theater and helped define what modern Jewish culture would become. |
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Pathways to Judaism: Find Your Jewish Compass |
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ACI is proud to offer Pathways to Judaism, an opportunity for individuals to learn about Judaism from the ground up. The class is designed both for individuals seeking an introduction to Judaism and those considering conversion to Judaism. Classes are taught by Rabbi Josh Rabin, and meet on Zoom Thursday nights from 8-9:30pm through June, beginning on February 5. |
ONGOING PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES |
Open Door Shabbat |
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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:
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Pathways to Judaism |
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ACI is offering an introduction to Judaism course via Zoom for those exploring Judaism or considering conversion. The Spring session will be held Thursday nights from February to June. Learn more and register here. |
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Rikers Island Services |
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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. |
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This Week in Hebrew School |
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Our Hebrew School students recently enjoyed a special, hands-on learning experience with educators from The Jewish Museum, who brought their program “Objects Tell Stories” to ACI. Through engaging exploration of Jewish artifacts, students learned about Klal Yisrael—what it means to be part of one Jewish people, connected through shared objects, traditions, and values across generations and around the world. The program beautifully reinforced our recent learning about Tikkun Olam, helping students see how caring for others and taking responsibility for one another strengthens our Jewish community. Students explored:
As a special gift from the Jewish Museum, every Hebrew School family received a complimentary family pass (up to 5 people!) to visit The Jewish Museum in person—an opportunity to continue the learning together beyond the classroom. We are grateful to the Museum for this meaningful experience and to our teachers and students for making it such a success. |
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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. If you would like to add a name, please complete this form.
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Support ACI's Mission |
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Help us continue to serve our community with meaningful programs, welcoming services, and a well-maintained sacred space. Donate Here. |
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Messages |
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In memory of Minnie Gunsberger, from Carol Tweedy |
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In memory of Irving Pomerantz, from Emil Pomerantz |
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In honor of Bonnie Tiles, from Lou Epstein |
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In memory of Kevin Herbe, from Lou Epstein |
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Mi Sheberachs |
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Please keep the following people in your hearts and prayers for the blessing of r'fua sh'leima: If you don't see a name here that you would like to be included, please submit it using the form here.
Aaron Vajda |
Yahrzeits |
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This week (28 Tevet - 5 Shevat), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Margaret Fechter Klein Bella Bernstein Sam Albert Anna Golubock May Herman Jennie Grossman Pearl Rosenwasser Harry Wasserman Hermine Zacks Stross Ethel Diller Sarah Rabinowitz Fanny Kusnetz Morris Heller Lena Sklarofsky Ida Janofsky Dora Nagel Bea Blas Herman Utain |
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