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December 2016 Newsletter Kislev 5777
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Dear Friends, What a busy autumn this was! From the High Holidays through the Farmer’s Reunion – there was always something happening and something to do. Our first Rensselaer County Jewish Farming Families Reunion was a huge success! Many came from across the country to celebrate their history, to connect and re-connect with others whose parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all owned a piece of land to farm in our rural county. It was so heartwarming to listen to the stories, see all the pictures, and meet so many wonderful people. There have been some recent changes on the Synagogue Board. Lynn Finley and Tom Seamon have both resigned as Trustees. I thank them both for their years of time and commitment to our shul. Tom has served on our board for many years and has been an integral member of our building committee. The board has appointed Faith Schottenfeld and Barry Strock to fill their positions, however these seats will be voted upon by a special election, as well as 3 additional board member seats at our Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, March 26, 2017. Our Chanukah Party is scheduled for Monday, December 26 at 6:00 pm. Come join us for some delicious latkes, dreidel games, song and crafts. Bring your menorah and candles. Together, we will sing the blessings, light our candles while sharing the warmth and glow as we remember the Chanukah miracles. Kindly RSVP to [email protected] and let us know you will be joining us. I wish you all a very happy Chanukah, Pam Tatar
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Rensselaer County Jews Affirm their History
By Larry Fader
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As "Ahm Hasefer," The People of the Book, we Jews have created and sustained our identity to a large part by preserving our history. The Jewish Immigrant Farmers of Rensselaer County reunion, an assemblage of over one hundred participants at the East Greenbush Comfort Inn just a couple of weeks ago, was such an exercise. People from all over the United States -- locals as well as current residents of California, Maryland, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, New York City and elsewhere -- gathered to share stories of the unique farming community that flourished in Upstate New York, beginning at the turn of the 20th Cenury, in towns such as Nassau, East Nassau, Schodack, Hoags Corner. They shared anecdotes , affirmed their families' joys and farming struggles at open microphone sessions; listened to academic historians Joseph Adler, Harvey Strum and Steve Berk analyze where their families came from and why, what they faced when they landed here; learned from local historians Diane Hutchinson and Kurt Vincent about the demographics of the Jewish settlers' farms; took in sections of Larry Fader's long narrative poem -- "Country Shtible -- about his farm family, the community and the plight of immigrants in general. They were treated to the singing harmonies of a Krouner family Camp Schodack based quartet; and, of course, they shared a bagel and lox Sunday lunch, supervised for the occasion by the Albany area Va'ad Hakashrut. Preceding the actual reunion, the Nassau Synagogue and Jewish Community Center hosted Kabbalath Shabbath and Saturday morning services in the historic Nassau shul, well attended by reunion participants and current area residents, alike. The Nassau shul is the single remaining synagogue of three original "Shtibels," -- in Nassau, East Nassau and East Schodack -- that helped hold the immigrants together as they struggled to add American continuity to a two thousand year history of wandering from place to place in the diaspora.
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Adorning the interior of the Nassau Shul are many artifacts, displayed to remind all who come calling of those Jews who came before. A welcome booklet from the reunion is available for $5.00 at the Nassau Synagogue to anyone who would like to share, if at a distance, in the reunion. Videos of the reunion and documentary are being prepared by film maker Howard Garbarsky, whose family lived and farmed in the Rensselaer County immigrant community. And now, a beautifully designed and published pamphlet is available for all who would like to learn about Nassau's role in this unique episode in Jewish history, "Ahm Hasefer." The Nassau Synagogue is offering its 100th anniversary commemorative booklet for sale to the public. It celebrates the unique history of the Jewish farmers and settlers in Schodack & Nassau as well as the history of the synagogue through documented research, photographs, and personal narratives. It preserves the past and still-living history of the last of the three synagogues that once existed in Southern Rensselaer County. To order a copy, please send a check or money order made out to the Nassau Synagogue in the amount of $20.00 and mail to: PO Box 670, Nassau, NY 12123. Make sure to include your name and the address where you would like to receive your copy.
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Tikkun Olam by Kate Lozier Our little Shul has been just amazing this year with so many wonderful mitzvahs! We had 7 wonderful volunteers for the Equinox Thanksgiving preparations: Pam Tatar, Faith Schottenfeld, Matthew Schottenfeld, Elaine Flatow, Max Flatow, Irving Paris, Myrna Paris (was there in emotional support as she was ill) and Danny Nerenberg was also there support despite his last minute meeting. I am so proud of our members that have taken their time to participate in this vital mitzvah for 5 years now (6 for Kate). We carved turkey breasts, helping the Equinox to feed 10,000 people. Please consider joining us next year! Mitzvah Knitters: The Mitzvah Knitters continue to make wonderful creations for those that are homeless and for the IDF soldiers. Laurie Kimmelstiel delivered 15 hand-knit hats for the IDF soldiers to Israel in early November (TODAH RABAH Laurie for making the delivery in Israel!!!). Laurie received the following thank you message that I will share with all of you: Channah Koppel, Israel, is the coordinator of the IDF Soldier’s hats and she wrote this to Laurie: “Got ‘em! First of all , please forward a big, big thank you to all the knitters involved –to Kate Lozier, Sharon Cohen, Janet Strock, and especially, Judy Ehrlich, who seems to have made a lot of hats {Judy Ehrlich knit 10 hats!}. Winter is coming, the requests for hats are rolling in, and yours are going up to the Golan on Friday, where they will definitely make some lucky soldiers very, very happy. Thanks so much for coordinating this and for all the schlepping….Come again soon, and I hope I’ll get to see you next time. All the best, XOXO, Channah” Wow what an incredible message and I am so proud of our knitting group! I hope this makes all of you knitters ready to make more hats for our wonderful IDF soldiers. Pam Tatar and I are about to deliver many hats, scarves, 4 to 6 blankets, and head
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warmers to the Albany Housing Coalition earmarked for homeless veterans. I want to especially thank our knitters who made hats -- Sharon Cohen, Kate; Kate made several scarves; and a huge thank you to the group for helping to make squares for the blankets that Sharon sewed and crocheted together (Pam Tatar, Judy Ehrlich, Judith Vener, Janet Strock, Gail Agata, Kate Lozier). The knitters are continuing to make blankets from squares as well as lap warming blankets and shawls. These will be given to the homeless as well as to residents of Barnwell nursing home as we go forward.
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FOOD Pantry
The Nassau Resource Center, our local food bank is in need of the following items:
Cereal, health and hygiene products (shampoo, tooth paste, soap), dish soap.
This great organization is located in the Village of Nassau at 15 Church St.
Their hours are as follows: M, Tu, Fri 9 am to noon; Thursday: 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Phone:
518-766-9014
You do not need to call ahead to give donations. You can also mail a check for a monetary donation.
http://www.regionalfoodbank.net/agencies/nassau-resource-center/
For additional information, for Tikkun Olam suggestions, to join the knitters, and/or any other comments please leave a message at 766-9831 or email [email protected]
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News from the Grosses
David and I are writing to all of you from our new apartment in Rehovot, Israel. We wanted to express our enormous gratitude for
the delightful and amazing farewell party the synagogue was kind enough to throw for us and for the beautiful final Shabbat
service and Kiddush that was presented to us on October 22 right before we departed. We were so thrilled when the entire
congregation spontaneously sang "Hatikvah" in lieu of the Prayer for the State of Israel, in honor of our making Aliyah.
We truly appreciate all the hard work that went into the planning of these events. Special heartfelt thanks goes to Nancy for her
illustrious farewell address from which we were non-plussed. Also, many thanks to Lynn Finley for coordinating the party and to
all the many other people who were involved in the preparations. Thank you so much to Sharon Cohen for preparing the Kiddush
on October 22 in honor of our Aliyah.
Although we do miss the warmth and intimate feel of the unique Nassau Shul, we are beginning to create a new and beautiful life here
in Israel. We have joined a community choir and we have started to attend synagogue and Jewish social and educational events.
Most of all, we are so happy to be here with our daughter, son-in-law and adorable granddaughter.
David's heart remains with the Nassau Shul and he plans to continue to be involved with the shul from Israel.
May you all have a happy and joyous Hanukkah!
B'shalom,
Lynn and David Gross
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Jared R Lozier, son of member Kate R Lozier, has purchased his own Allstate Insurance Agency.
Members Laurie & Fred Kimmelstiel announce the arrival of their grandson- Judah Zeke Kevelson
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If anyone is interested in seeing Harvey Strickon's home movies from the Smith Farms Hotel from the 1940s-1960’s, Dan Smith uploaded them to Youtube. There are 2 videos with scenes of the lake before it was excavated to what it is now, guests at a square dance and on a hayride. It also includes scenes from Harry Honig's Blu-Stone Motel in Schodack. Search Smith Farms Hotel on
youtube.com
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Monday, December 26
Bring your menorah and candles!
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THANKS FOR THE DONATIONS
donations as of 12/14/16
- Rose Ann Roth in memory of Albert Robbins
- The Sarachan Family in memory of our parents Ezra & Sonya Sarachan, Eda, Al, and George
- Kronman, and sister, Ann Beth Deily
- Jacob Rand in memory of Nathaniel Rand
- Sidney & Anne Richter in memory of their son and parents
- Ben-Ami Lipetz
- Doris Perl
- Rita Septer in memory of Harry & Paul Pollack, David and Linda Septer
- Joan Mermelstein in memory of Sidney Mermelstein
- Lynn Rothenberg & Michael Roland – Kiddush Fund
- Charles & Nancy Noland
- Nancy Lord – Kiddish Fund
- Fred Rheingold
- Pam and Mark Tatar
- Ann Blaustein in memory of parents Morris & Ida Schwartz, brothers David, Franky & Philip
- Schwartz, niece Linda Van Brookhoven
- Elizabeth Scheer in memory of Larry Scheer
- Lynn Gordon
- Sharon & Ben Cohen in honor of Amit, Ravi, Aviva & Naomi Cohen
- Elayne Schottenfeld in memory of Sid Schottenfeld
- Daniel Nerenberg
- Sidney & Beatrice Albert Foundation
- Zeev & Rachel Weitz
- Martha & Arnold Proskin in memory of Harry & Paula Pollack
- Arthur Hochberg in memory of Mildred & Oscar Hochberg
- Richard Altwerger – Kiddush Fund
- Michael Liebert
- Judy Bloom in memory of the Placksin Family
- Sid Markowitz in memory of the Markowitz & Paley Families of Nassau
- Harvey & Linda Strickon
- Art & Aase Feder
- Michel & Abby Araten
- Alice & Harold Howard
- Larry Salzman & Trudi Roth in honor of our Jewish heritage
- Faith Schottenfeld in memory of Sidney Schottenfeld
- Rita Marokko
- Sharon & Ben Cohen in memory of Alexander Abrahams
- Ellen Schottenfeld in honor of her family and in memory of her father
- Carol & Uriel Oko in memory of Albert Robbins
- Irving & Myrna Paris for the Yahrzeit of Anna Paris, December 16th
- Paul & Patricia Gioia Foundation on behalf of Rita Septer and Al Gran in memory of Rita’s parents, Harry and
- Paula Pollack, David and Linda Septer
- Judith Vener
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Annual Membership Meeting
Please attend the upcoming annual membership meeting on Sunday, March 26, 2017 beginning at 10:00 A.M. when brunch will be served. The meeting will begin at 10:30am. We will celebrate the accomplishments of the past year; share thoughts and discuss ideas generated by our members: and hold elections for 3 board members whose terms are up (David Gross, Nancy Lord, and Barbara Neiman).
Also a special election will be held to fill the seats left vacant by the resignations of Lynn Finley and Tom Seamon. Faith Schottenfeld and Barry Strock have graciously accepted the board’s request that they fill those positions on a temporary basis. Only members whose 2017 dues are paid may vote in these elections and/or qualify for a position on the Board. .
If you are interested in a position on the Board, please notify a board member no later than one week prior to the meeting.
We encourage your participation in this important meeting because it’s our membership that makes our synagogue so great!
Membership Dues Update
At the last Board meeting, it was decided that a dues increase was in order for a family membership. For 2017, a family membership will increase from $250 to $300 per year. It has been 15 years since we’ve raised membership dues…..pretty amazing, huh! While it is most fortunate that our shul benefits from donations all year long, the funds generated by our membership dues provides us with a stable source of income which is needed in order to keep our doors open. The single person membership will remain at $200.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Sunday, MARCH 26
10 AM
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The Nassau tradition is that one need not be a member to attend Shabbat services or to participate in our events and programs. We do not sell seats for the High Holidays, nor do we auction aliot. How have we been able to do this over the years and still keep membership dues so very low? It is through your continued support that is essential to keeping us strong. The Nassau Synagogue relies almost exclusively on the contributions of its supporters and on our membership dues. So please, help us with a donation, and/or consider becoming a member.
NAME________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________
PHONE NO._______________________E-MAIL______________________________
MEMBERSHIP
Family Membership $300 (Please note dues increase. First one in 15 years)
Individual Membership $200
________I would like to renew membership in the Nassau Synagogue
________I would like to join the Nassau Synagogue
_____ If you are joining or renewing your synagogue membership, please check here if you would like your personal information included in the Membership directory. By checking here you are agreeing to the terms and conditions as follows: that the main purpose of the directory is to make personal contact with other members to encourage social interactions, acknowledgement of celebrations and other meaningful events, and to encourage the promotion of shul related activities among those on the list. The list may not be shared with anyone who is not on the list, given to any organization without the prior consent of the Board, or used to promote political ideas or platforms.
CONTRIBUTIONS
In Honor of_____________________________________________________________
In Memory of___________________________________________________________
Presented by___________________________________________________________
_
I would like to make a contribution to the Hebrew School: $__________
I would like to make a contribution to the Synagogue’s General Fund: $_________
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE NASSAU SYNAGOGUE and mail to:
PO Box 670, Nassau, New York 12123
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