Rabbi Joshua Rabin
Cantor Emeritus George Lindenblatt
Judaism With Open Arms
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March 20, 2026 • 2 Nisan, 5786
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Jacob and Max Blumenthal's B'nai Mitzvah
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At Shabbat services tomorrow, celebrate Max and Jacob Blumenthal's milestone
with the ACI community. Be sure to join us afterwards for a festive Kiddush luncheon
downstairs in the social hall!
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Tuesday, March 24 — Teen/Tween Lounge
Saturday, March 28 — ACI Book Club
Through April 13 — Annual Passover Food Drive
Friday, April 24 — Kabbalat Shabbat
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Saturday, March 21
10:00 am
Doors open at 9:45; come early to schmooze. Join us after services for a Kiddush luncheon!
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Upcoming Shabbat Children's Programs
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Tot Shabbat
10:30–11:30 am
For preschool children
- March 21 — THIS WEEK
- April 18
- April 25
- May 2
Junior Congregation
10:30–11:30 am
For school-aged children
Download the full calendar as a PDF
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Shabbat candle lighting time is tonight at 6:49pm.
Havdalah will be Saturday at 7:50pm.
This week's Torah reading is Vayikra.
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Calling all teens and tweens!
Join us for a High School/Middle School lounge night on Tuesday, March 24th from 6–8 PM. We'll provide dinner and games — you bring the energy and ideas. This is your space to hang out, connect with friends, and help shape future ACI programming for your age group.
Come ready to relax and have fun! RSVP to Eric so we know how much pizza to order!
This was inadvertently listed last week as Monday rather than Tuesday; please note the correct day!
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The Astoria Center of Israel Book Club is launching this month! The club will meet approximately every other month.
The first book will be A Rich Brew by Shachar Pinsker. We'll meet following Shabbat Services and Kiddush on Saturday, March 28. Please complete the form or reach out to Allie at [email protected] to participate.
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Annual Passover Food Drive
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We're once again participating in City Harvest's Passover Food Drive! Help us make sure that no one in our city goes hungry over Passover this year.
All types of canned or non-perishable food is needed, but the most useful foods include tuna, salmon, sardines, gefilte fish, grape juice, and oils. Please bring your contributions to the box in the lobby between March 9 and April 13!
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As the Astoria Center of Israel celebrates 100 years of serving the Jewish community in Western Queens in 2026, we are inviting members of our community past and present to share their favorite moments and memories at the Center.
Over the course of the year, we will share your reflections in emails, on social media, on our website, and with the press — to tell the story of the many lives ACI has touched. What's your ACI story?
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Despite a broken boiler and chilly social hall, we collected 27 pints of blood at our Blood Drive! Thank you to all who came out to help, and to Irene Sprung for organizing!
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Attention Knitters and Crocheters!
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We are seeking donations of red hats for babies with congenital heart disease! The CHD Coalition's "Little Hats, Big Hearts" program supports families of children with congenital heart disease. They donate bags to families at local hospitals including Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NYU, and Morristown Memorial.
We have a donation basket set up in the lobby for contributions. Please contact Irene Sprung with any questions!
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ONGOING PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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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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ACI is offering an introduction to Judaism course via Zoom for those exploring Judaism or considering conversion. Learn more and register here.
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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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This week our students continued their Passover lesson plans, discussing the customs and foods of the holiday. We are getting excited for our upcoming Hebrew School Seder!
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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?
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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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In memory of Rose Seiden, from Ceil Chiprut
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Mazal Tov to Jacob and Max Blumenthal and to the entire Blumenthal family, on the occasion of their B'nai Mitzvah, from Sue Ann and Mitch
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In memory of Ruth Baker, from Zubin Soleimany
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In memory of my grandmother, Beth Soleimany, from Zubin Soleimany
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In honor of Melissa Ward, from Lou Epstein
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In memory of my mother, Ethel Steiger, and my grandfather, David Steiger, from Richard Steiger
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In honor of my loved ones for Pesach Yizkor, from Susan Mickel
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In honor of Aya Tillis, from Michael Tillis
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In memory of my grandfather, Sion Kermany, from Zubin Soleimany
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In honor of Sarah Billa and Agnes Billa, from Lou Epstein
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In memory of my wonderful father, Cecil Toback, from Arthur Toback
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In memory of my beloved relatives: Lee & Joe Bluch, Sam & Ruth Goldstein, Miriam & Sol Sternfeld, Rose & David Blumenfeld, Joanne & Stacy Levin-Eterfeld, from Sandra Levin
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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
Avram Michel Ben Sylvia V'Fred Wishnoff
Beverly Kaye
Elizabeth Bruner
Eric David Laxman
Esther bat Chana
Faiga bat Feivel v’Leia
Gary Lefkowitz
Joel Tarlowe
Malcolm Mungo
Menachem Mendel Yonah Ben Beila V'Yakov
Michael Laster
PESSAH Ruchel bat Dina
Reynah Rosendorf
Richard and Laura Cohen
Rony Joel
Sarah Chana bat Zeesl v Dov-Beryl ben Rev Chaim HaLevi
Shalom ben Haim
Shandel Gittle bat Rifka
Shari Levin
Shirli bat Ari Abraham v’Malka
Wilton Mungo
Zalman Mordechai Aaron ben Yehudit
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This week (3–9 Nisan), we observe the yahrzeits of the following ACI members, family and friends. May their memories always be a blessing.
Henry Schwartz
Emil Moss
Selma Feirberg
Joseph Cohen
Moses Tuttman
Howard Mark Levine
Reuben Benumof
Mae (Miriam) Enselberg
Philip Schipior
Harold Kaye
Anna Bogart
Max Kisslinger
Emil Hilfreich
Harry Kaplan
Edward Orner
Frieda Steinberg
Arnold Hampton
Samuel Friedlander
Osias Pollack
Etta Telsey
David Leinwol
Erna Lustig
Lee Bloch
Moses L. Kupfer
Hyman Zipes
Al Braun
Dr. Robert B. Nussenblatt
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