The next meeting of ACI's book club will take place after Kiddush on December 5. We will be discussing My Father, The Messiah by Gil Hochberg. This memoir follows a woman's relationship with her father as she discovers her own identity while his mental illnesses become increasingly worse. You can read more about the book and purchase it through the Jewish Book Council.

ACI is a founding member of Neighbors Together, an interfaith initiative building relationships and mutual understanding across the diverse faith communities of Western Queens. Please join our congregation as we support the Astoria Church of the Redeemer for their Choral Evensong prior to All Saints' Day.

This initiative is supported by a grant from the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC).

No RSVP required, but please email Rabbi Josh if you plan on attending.

Two of our board members, David Hamermesh and Ariel Eckstein, are running the NYC Marathon this Sunday! We are so proud of them and wish them strong legs, good weather, and a joyful finish. Kol hakavod!

Running too? Let us know at [email protected] so we can cheer for you!

Friday, November 20, at 6:30 pm

Join ACI, in partnership with the Wandering Jews of Astoria, for our fourth annual Friendsgiving celebration! Join members of the community as we come together for a potluck Shabbat dinner, and celebrate the vibrant Jewish community we're all thankful for.

We ask those attending to bring a dairy or pareve item to share. Entrées are always most needed, but we welcome anything you can bring. And if you can't bring something, you are of course still welcome to attend; just let us know in advance at [email protected].

Note: this event is primarily geared to adults. There is no children's programming this evening.

The team at ACI could use your help getting our space back up and running. We have a long to-do list, and 30–60 minutes of your time will go a long way. Examples of volunteer duties include:

• Refilling the water coolers
• Cleaning the kids play room
• Sorting books
• Cleaning whiteboards
• Relocating chairs or tables after services or events

If you're interested, please email Lizanne at [email protected] with the subject line VOLUNTEER

Meet Our New Education Director, Sharon Richman!

We are delighted to welcome Sharon Richman as ACI's new Hebrew School Education Director! Sharon has already had the opportunity to meet many of our families and students, and she is excited to become part of our vibrant and welcoming community.

Sharon brings over a decade of leadership experience in both public and Jewish education, including roles as a Religious School Principal, Special Education leader, and NYC DOE Unit Coordinator. She holds New York State certifications in School Leadership and Special Education, along with master's degrees in Childhood/Special Education and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Throughout her career, Sharon has been dedicated to supporting diverse learners, partnering with families, and developing engaging curricula that bring Jewish values and traditions to life. Her educational philosophy centers on creating a warm, inclusive, and joyful environment where every child feels connected to their Jewish heritage, identity, and community.

Sharon looks forward to working alongside our wonderful teachers, getting to know each of our students and families, and building a meaningful and joyful year of learning together! You can reach her directly at [email protected].

Reminders

No Hebrew School on Tuesday, November 3, for Election Day.

Our first Family Kabbalat Shabbat is Friday, November 13, at 5:30 pm, followed by a potluck with other Hebrew School families. Sign up here to RSVP.

Families with children approaching B'nai Mitzvah (or just considering it): join Rabbi Noa Rubin for a Shorashim info session on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:45 pm. Learn more.