Congregation Agudat Achim
Weekly Announcements
25 March 2021 - 12 Nissan 5781
Parashat Tsav
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer -- President Jackie Rowen
Words from our Rabbi
I'm on family leave this week, bonding with my new child, and helping my family prepare for Passover. I’d like to wish the entire congregation a Happy Passover; chag Pesach samech!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Spitzer
Message from our President

The High Holidays are just about six months away and the Ritual Committee has begun work to create a meaningful and spiritually uplifting experience for our community. While we know that a lot can change between now and September and no plan is written in stone, we do have an important piece of information we'd like to share now. We wanted to inform the congregation that our beloved, long time High Holiday Cantor, Howard Axelrod, will be taking a sabbatical this coming High Holiday season, returning in 2022. The Ritual Committee is beginning the process of hiring a cantorial student for this year and will keep the congregation informed of their progress.

Jackie Rowen
With our Members
Birthdays: Joshua Harrow, Lily Harrow, Ryan Harrow, Michele Kahn, David Brown, Mira Stashower

Anniversaries: No anniversaries this week
Yahrzeits: Thomas Kerness, Jack Rotman, Susan Smollik, Edward Korn, Max Winer, Lucille Elisa Diamond, Fannie Fine, Inge Woods, Martin Birnby, Grigoriy Osherov, Anna Rotman, Muriel Shapiro
Mazel tov to Ellen and Eric Kerness as they announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Kerness, to Jeff Gottlieb. Lisa and Jeff are living in and will be married in California. Mazel tov to the Kerness and Gottlieb families!

Mazel tov to Neal and Lynn Shapiro as they announce the engagement of their son, Connor David Shapiro to Carolyn Marie O’Keeffe. The couple are planning a July 3, 2022 wedding. Mazel tov to the Shapiro and O’Keeffe families!

Mazel tov to Deborah and Art Friedson on the birth of a grandson, Brooks Allen Friedson, born to Andy and Molly Friedson on Monday, March 22, 2021. Brooks Allen is the little brother to Noah and Zoe. Mazel tov to the entire Friedson family!

We have learned with great sorrow the passing of long time congregant Richard S. Mendelson, widower of Marlene Mendelson, on Friday, March 19, 2021. Richard is the father of Elliot, Suzanne and Mitchell. Our condolences go out to the Mendelson family.
Thank You
Thank you to the individuals who participated in this past week's Shabbat services.
Yashar koach!
Torah and Haftara Readers: Gilah Moses
Daveners/Service Leaders: Rabbi Spitzer
Service Coordinator/Gabbai: Ken Carpenter
COVID-19 Compliance Guarantor/Shamash: Sharon Wohl
Contributors to our Security Fund, Attendees…“…those who give funds for heat and light, wine for Kiddush and Havdalah, bread to the wayfarer and charity to the poor, and all those who devotedly involve themselves with the needs of this community… May the Holy Blessed One reward them, remove sickness from them, heal them, and forgive their sins. May God bless them by prospering all their worthy endeavors, and let us say: Amen.”
Would you like to see your name on this list?
Get in touch with Howie Mittleman or Rabbi Spitzer!
Passover Is Coming!
Don't forget to authorize Rabbi Spitzer to sell your Hametz, donate "Wheat Money/Maot Hittin," and read Rabbi's 5781 Passover Guide.
Schedule for the Week
New Kabbalat Shabbat Time
Beginning this week, and remaining constant throughout the summer, Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat will be at 5:30p, on Zoom.

Passover Seder Information
We would like as many children as possible to recite the Four Questions at this Seder. Please contact Rabbi Spitzer and let him know if your child will participate
Third Science and Judaism class is tonight!
Judaism & Science
Special Event
Make sure to register!
Great Passover Items in our Gift Shop
More Adult Education Offerings
Click the buttons below to read information on each upcoming event!
School Information
Click here for a schedule of classes for the Elementary Grades.
Click here for a calendar for the school year.
Click here for a single page calendar of the year.

New School Passover program TONIGHT! Thursday, 25 March, 4:30p


To read our latest school newsletter click here.


Jews who influence sports today
Our one shot class on 18 April at 4:30p will be on the topic will be The Jews who influence sports today. By this point most of us have heard of the great Jews who influenced sports in the past like Sandy Koufax, Hank Greenberg, Mark Spitz, Dick Savitt and Marshall Goldberg. But what about the Jewish Athletes of today? Join us on April 18 to find out.
Open to 6th - 12th grade


As You Like It Catering
Meals to Go
Please contact Rise' at syncaterer@aol.com with any inquiries about food for sale.

Arrangements can be made for pick up on an individual basis.
Ongoing Events
Parashat Hashavua Class with Rabbi Spitzer
Next Class 30 March
Rabbi Spitzer teaches a class on the weekly Torah portion on Tuesdays from 12:30p – 1:30p on Zoom. The link is on the CAA Online Programming Google Doc. If you are interested in exploring the weekly Parashah, please attend. All are welcome. If you missed this week's class (16 March) on Parashat Vekhayel-Pekudei, the teaching we learned together can be found online. Rabbi Spitzer invites you to call or email with your comments or thoughts..

L'chu N'ran'nah Shabbat morning spiritual seeking 9-9:45a
  • Iyyun Tefilah/ Learner's Service: 17 Apr, 19 Jun
  • Musical Psukei Dzimra: 20 Mar, 15 May

Adult Hebrew Classes with Zipporah Harris
Please become part of this group of learners!
Next series of classes: March 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; and May 4, 11, 25
6:00-7:00 PM on Zoom
$10 per class, payable directly to Zipporah
Open to New and Returning Students!
Born in Israel, Zipporah is an experienced teacher who has taught Hebrew at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for over 30 years. The class covers reading, writing, and conversation. Please become part of this group of learners! Classes. If you are interested in joining, write to Zipporah at morahtova1@aol.com.

Scholars-in-Your-Residence: Judaism & Science                                         
25 Mar; 1 Apr 2021
Join us as four scholars speak with us about the intersection of Judaism and science and a review of the historical relationship between the two areas of study. All sessions will be held on Zoom immediately after minyan in the same Zoom room.

Back to the Basics: Introduction to Prayer Book Hebrew for Adults, taught by Rabbi Spitzer
Sundays 9:30-10:30am
Join Rabbi Spitzer and the Adult Education Committee as we present an introductory course for Prayerbook (liturgical) Hebrew. Registration for this course is now closed. Class dates for registered students 18, 25 Apr; 2, 9, 23, 30 May; 6, 13 June (all Sundays, 9:30 am – 10:30 am)

CAA Healthy Living Group
Every Wednesday on Zoom at 10a.

CAA Book Club
Meets on the Second Wednesday of each month, at 12:00p Next Meeting 14 April

CAA Men’s Club Torah Study
Meets twice monthly on Sundays at 7:40p; Next Meeting TBA
Links to Religious Services
Siddur Supplement
Until further notice, we are using the full Siddur Sim Shalom during weekday and Shabbat services. This version has both Shabbat and Weekday prayer services (whereas the "Slim Shalom," which only contains Shabbat services are typically used in the sanctuary). Rabbi Spitzer has made the following four prayers accessible.

We would like to make everyone’s experience of the service at home as barrier-free as possible so please get in touch with us if there are other things that we can do to increase ease of access.
Men's Club and Women's network information
In the Community
Beyond the Huppah: Creating the Jewish Marriage you Want

The program begins April 21st. All are welcome, including LGBTQ+ and interfaith couples. 
What: A six-session virtual program that will provide tools to solidify a strong partnership and explore different ways of creating a Jewish home. Facilitated by Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney Cohen and Matt Boney Cohen of BASE Boston. 
Topics will include: Communication and Couplehood, Decision-Making, Money, Sexuality, Jewish Ritual, and Building a Jewish Family. 
When: Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00 PM ET in the comfort of your living room! Since our program moved to zoom, we’ve had couples from all over North America join this program. Wherever you find yourself in the world, you are warmly welcome. 
Staff Emails
Rabbi Rafi Spitzer, rabbispitzer@agudatachim.org, (518) 348-9478
Joshua Cooper-Ginsburg, Executive Director:admin@agudatachim.org
Jack Mintzer, Education Director: eddirector@agudatachim.org
Chris Parisi, Administrative Assistant: secretary@agudatachim.org
Rosalie Fadem, Bookkeeper: bookkeeper@agudatachim.org
Rise' Routenberg, Catering: asyoulikeitCAA@gmail.com  
Board Emails
Jackie Rowen, President: CAAPrez2019@gmail.com
Steve Schmidt, Program VP: schmidsj@union.edu
Jeff Shapiro, Youth VP: penanglaw@aol.com
Neal Shapiro, Treasurer: nshapiro007@gmail.com
Our Sponsors
[518-393-9211]  [https://www.agudatachim.org/]