Rosh Hashanah:

• Friday, September 11, 6:30 pm — Erev Rosh HaShanah
• Saturday, September 12, 9:30 am — Rosh HaShanah Day 1, with children’s programming at 11 AM with Tkiya, Morah Sophie for school age kids, Zack for tweens/teens
• Sunday, September 13, 9:30 am — Rosh HaShanah Day 2, with children’s programming at 11 AM with Tkiya followed by Tashlikh in the Park. (programming for kids is only in the park, and for tots/families)
• Sunday, September 13, approximately 1:30 pm — Tashlikh. We’ll walk together following Day 2 services, leaving from ACI at about 1:30 pm. All are welcome to join.
  

For more information about children's programming, contact Nicole ([email protected]). In case of rain, please check ACI's Facebook and Instagram for updates about park programming.

Yom Kippur:

• Sunday, September 20, 6:00 pm — Kol Nidre. Please arrive on time; Kol Nidre begins promptly.
• Monday, September 21, 9:30 am — Yom Kippur morning service, with children’s programming at 11 AM with Tkiya, Morah Sophie for school age kids, Zack for tweens/teens
• Monday, September 21, approximately noon — Yizkor
• Monday, September 21, 5:00 pm — Minha / Maariv / Neilah
• Monday, September 21, 7:35 pm — Havdalah and the fast ends, followed by a community potluck break-fast. Bring something to share if you can, and come even if you can’t.

We're still looking for volunteers to serve as ushers during the High Holidays!

This is a great opportunity to welcome people to our synagogue. Sign up using the link below, or contact Susan Mickel if you would like more information.

There's still time to reserve your tickets for the High Holidays!

Pricing:

Members: Free

Non-members (per holiday)

• Adults: $54
• Kids (2 –12): $18
• Kids under 2: Free

Wednesday, September 16, 8–9 pm
If God loves the poor, then why doesn't he feed them himself?

This is a question question that Rabbi Akiva is asked by Tunus Rufus, the Roman Emperor who clashes with Rabbi Akiva about difficult questions about Jewish belief. And while Tunus Rufus' questions are not made in good faith, as he wants Rabbi Akiva to fail, the questions are meant to provoke conversation and reflection.

Join Rabbi Josh for an exploration of a famous dialogue between Rabbi Akiva and Tunus Rufus about charity, and how it relates to the Eleh Ezkerah prayers of Yom Kippur.

Wednesdays from 8:00-9:30 pm on Zoom
First Class September 23, 2026

The year since October 7, 2023 raised urgent, complex, and at times painful questions about Zionism. For many, the work as has become harder: harder to hold community together, harder to navigate the emotional and ideological divides, and harder to chart a meaningful path forward.

In this eight-unit course, Shalom Hartman Institute scholars explore the core tensions and values of liberal Zionism, responding to the dominant critiques of Israel and Zionism in a post-October 7 reality. Together, we’ll explore frameworks for holding moral complexity, for teaching about Israel in a time of war, and for engaging our communities with courage, compassion, and clarity.

Participation is free, though a $36 donation for non-donors is appreciated.

Our Hebrew School is growing, and we're looking for teaching assistants and extra hands in the classroom for the coming year. You'd be working with our wonderful K–7th graders on Tuesday afternoons, roughly 3:00–5:30pm, right here at ACI. It's a great fit for anyone who loves being around kids and a perfect opportunity for high school students, who can earn community service hours with us (we're a nonprofit) or be paid $18–20/hour.

We ask for references and run a background check on all candidates. Interested, or know a teen who would be? Reach out to our Education Chair, Joanna, at [email protected], and please spread the word to anyone you know who'd be great in a classroom.

Join Rabbi Josh on Sunday, September 20, 2026, 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, I’d love for us to show up as a team from our synagogue. Let’s move with purpose and make a difference—together.

Pick "Astoria Center of Israel (ACI)" as your 5K team!

The next Book Club, tentatively scheduled to meet after Kiddush on Saturday, October 3, will discuss I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. You can purchase it from The Strand or Amazon, or request it from Queens Public Library. It is also available as a six-hour audiobook.

Questions? Ask Kivi Young, Book Tsar.

The ACI Hebrew School kicked off the new year this past Tuesday with a Family Rosh Hashanah Party/Seder. Over 70 enthusiastic participants joined Rabbi Josh, our teachers and Lizanne for a great introduction to our High Holiday Season. There were Holiday songs and delicious treats, plus a visit to our beautiful, historic main sanctuary to see our Torahs.

Dates to Remember:

› Tuesday, September 15 – Hebrew School classes begin; parent orientation at 5:10 pm in the main sanctuary
› Sunday, September 20 – Family Sukkah Decorating Brunch