Rosh Hashanah 5787 Announcements

B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation

Rosh Hashanah 5787

L’shanah Tovah! – Happy New Year! – !לשנה טובה

OFFICIANTS: Rabbi Danielle Weisbrot; Sylvia Bloom, soloist; Elizabeth Huntley, harpist

WELCOME VISITORS AND GUESTS! We’re so glad that you are celebrating with us. If you would like to receive our weekly email or monthly Bulletin, please contact our office after the holiday.

EREV ROSH HASHANAH:

PARTICIPANTS Sasha Suraski, Joe DeFronzo, Bruce Goldstein, Steve Klein

ONEG SHABBAT/YOM TOV Immediately following the service, all are welcome to enjoy an Oneg Shabbat/Yom Tov provided by the B’nai Sholom Board of Trustees

ROSH HASHANAH MORNING:

PARTICIPANTS Shari Whiting, Lois Gordon, Phil Teumim, Carol Smith, Ben Marvin, Joel Bloom, Ann Shapiro, Doug Smith, Community Engagement Committee, Facilities Management Committee, Finance and Administration Committee, Lifelong Learning Committee, Social Action/Social Justice Committee, Special Events Committee, Worship and Related Services Committee, Deb Adler, Howard Domfort, Sean O’Connor, Laura Keller, Barney Horowitz, Bettina Stoller, Carol Gnacik, Anne Hausgaard, Lene Hausgaard, Steve Gottlieb, Dayle Zatlin, Rema Goldstein, Liz Davis, Joe DeFronzo

ROSH HASHANAH LUNCHEONS Thanks to the Special Events Committee for organizing this most enjoyable tradition and to all hosts and guests for participating.

ALBANY COMMUNITY TASHLICH The Albany Community Tashlich will be Sunday, Sept. 13, at 4:30 PM (in-person only) at Buckingham Pond at the foot of Colonial Avenue, near the playground. Please bring duck-friendly items like grape halves, bird seed, frozen peas or chopped lettuce instead of bread.

PJ Library Tashlich for kids and families is at 3:45 PM.

 

YOM KIPPUR:

FASTING Prepare this week by increasing water and decreasing caffeine. If you are pregnant/nursing or if it is not medically advisable for you to fast, you are completely exempt; life and health come first! Rabbi Weisbrot says: If you are in doubt, you may eat or drink what you need. Children can be fed simply.

TALLIT ON KOL NIDREI The tallit (prayer shawl) is traditionally worn only during morning prayer, but Erev Yom Kippur is an exception. Feel free to bring or wear one that night if you choose!

STUDY SESSION 1:30-3 PM (between morning and afternoon services) – IN-PERSON ONLY

Discussion led by David Liebschutz

TOPIC: “SELF-FORGIVENESS” – Participants will explore why self‑forgiveness is spiritually necessary, how Jewish texts frame human imperfection, and what practices can help us release shame, repair relationships and ultimately have compassion with ourselves and others.

YOM KIPPUR BREAK-FAST At the conclusion of Yom Kippur, following the Ne’ilah service, a light break-fast will be provided. All are welcome to enjoy. Many thanks to B’nai Sholom’s past presidents for sponsoring this event!

 

SUKKOT:

IT’S SUKKAH-RAISING TIME We’re looking for a few good people to help build, decorate and take down the sukkah. Please let us know if you can come Sunday, Sept. 13, at 10 AM for setup or help with teardown at a date and time to be announced. Contact Carol Smith.

OUR SUKKAH will be open to all from the start of Sukkot (Friday, Sept. 25) until Simchat Torah. We encourage picnicking and, weather permitting, we can make sure you have a table and chairs. Please let us know in advance when you’re coming.

 

SIMCHAT TORAH:

EREV SIMCHAT TORAH SERVICE The holiday season comes to a close with Simchat Torah Friday, Oct. 2, with Yizkor at 7 PM and Simchat Torah service at 7:30 PM. Join us as we UNROLL THE SCROLL around the room. Lots of hands are needed to help hold up the Torah and all are welcome to take the “tour” of our sacred text!

 

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK / MI SHEBEIRACH LIST There will be an opportunity during the service to share aloud or in the Zoom chat the name of someone you’re praying for.

GUIDE TO B’NAI SHOLOM 5787/2026-2027 Members: The Annual Guide is printed and ready! Pick up your copy – labeled by household – today or the next time you’re at B’nai Sholom.

B’YACHAD Jewish learning and community are more important than ever. And more fun, too! Registration for our B’Yachad religious school for 2026-27 is still open. Go to www.byachad.org for information.

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO… Carol Smith, Melissa Putterman Hoffmann, Ben Marvin, and the Ritual Team for coordinating our holiday services, honors, and activities, and the volunteers who have made these services possible; the Safety and Security Committee, led by Howie Stoller, and all who volunteered to be greeters and ushers; Dee Wind, Tara Jordan, Marsha Lazarus, Kathleen O’Connor, Phil Teumim and Will Vail for keeping our youngest congregants engaged during our morning services; Mitch Levinn for compiling and producing the Annual Guide; Valerie Tabak for coordinating the Rosh Hashanah oneg provided by the Board; Lacey Putnam, Amy Koren-Roth, Maggie and Lori Stuart for coordinating the Yom Kippur Break-fast; Maxine and Eric Goldberg for the mums adding color to the temple entrance; Lois Gordon, Martha Rozett and Gwen Spicer for arranging congregants’ artistic works in the temple display cases; Eric Goldberg and Jim Garbaini for operating our camera and Zoom; and especially to Emily Pickering, who keeps the temple office running like clockwork.

 

TZEDAKAH FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS The High Holy Days are a time when many of us “recalibrate,” assess our actions and ideas and decide which to retain and which to transform. Over the years, B’nai Sholom has offered congregants a variety of ways to perform Tzedakah (charity/righteousness) as a path to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). If you wish to support causes outside of these doors, here are some suggestions:

RAC (Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center) – https://rac.org/

IMPJ (Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism) – https://reform.org.il/en/

Family Promise of the Capital Region – https://www.familypromisecr.org/

Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York – https://jfsneny.org/

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL ACTION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:

• Please bring items for the FOOD AND PERSONAL CARE COLLECTION BOXES. Check to be sure that items are not past or close to expiration dates.
• Please CONSIDER WHAT YOU WILL SAVE BY FASTING on Yom Kippur and contribute that amount, if you are able, either to the Regional Food Bank (965 Albany-Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110), to MAZON-A Jewish Response to Hunger (10850 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90024) or to B’nai Sholom for the Fresh Food for Families program.

 

UP AHEAD:

• NEW MEMBER SHABBAT Save the date: Friday, Nov. 6! We’ll welcome our newest members with a dinner and services in their honor.  We hope as many congregants as possible can attend!
• CLOTHING COLLECTION We will collect CLEAN, GENTLY USED clothes and shoes. Please be sure to SORT BY GENDER AND AGE (men/women/any adult/kids, etc.) and label the bags. Drop off your donations at the synagogue during the week of Nov. 10-14 when the building is open** or in person on Sunday, Nov. 15, 11 AM-1 PM.

**Please place them neatly in the marked classroom; do not leave bags outside the building.

• LIFELONG LEARNING

THE SONG OF LIFE – a presentation on the incredible story of how all 275 Jews on the island of Zakynthos, Greece, were rescued from the Nazis as told by the daughter of a survivor. Tuesday, Sept. 29 @ 2 PM (in person).

RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR SACRED TEXTS – a three-session course taught by Rabbi Weisbrot using Torah and Talmud to explore parent-child, marriage/family, and teacher-student relationships. Thursdays, Oct. 22, 29 and Nov. 5 @ 4 PM (in person).

AMERICAN JEWS IN THE CIVIL WAR – a talk by Richard Kreitner, author of the groundbreaking and highly praised new book, Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War and the Fight to End Slavery. Thursday, Dec. 10 @ 8 PM (via Zoom).

MOVIE NIGHT – Nov. 14 @ 7:30 PM, film title to be announced.

Watch the Bulletin and weekly e-mails for details.

TOT SHABBAT 2nd Friday of every month 5:30-6 PM.

TORAH STUDY Shabbat mornings 10-11:30 (9:30-10:30 when there is a Torah service) and extended sacred text study first Saturdays until noon.

SHABBAT TORAH SERVICES Check the temple calendar or the weekly e-announcements for dates each month.

 

• TECH VOLUNTEERS KEEP OUR SERVICES MULTI-ACCESS We always have openings for tech support volunteers for all hybrid services – no experience needed! If you (or someone you know) is interested in learning how to operate our sound and video equipment, contact Eric Goldberg at nyeric65@yahoo.com.
• HOSTING AN ONEG SHABBAT to help bring the B’nai Sholom community together is rewarding. You provide food and beverages for a gathering after Shabbat services; your fellow congregants spend time noshing and socializing. Please use our convenient online sign-up link in the weekly announcements or feel free to contact the office with any questions.

 

ONGOING WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT B’NAI SHOLOM:

• LEGACY SOCIETY We have almost 60 members in the Legacy Society, and we would be honored to add you, if you are not there already. By committing a substantial contribution now or in your will to our Endowment Fund, you secure the future of our B’nai Sholom community. Contact Mimi Bruce at mbrucemd53@gmail.com.
• KIBBUTZNIK Donate in memory of, or to honor, someone special. Contact Lois Gordon at rgordon1@nycap.rr.com.
• GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS Purchase gift cards to Hannaford to do your grocery shopping and the temple earns 5% on each dollar spent. Contact Ellie Davis at davisj0726@gmail.com.
• “FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS DAY” AT BOSCOV’S Receive 25% off everything you buy in-store or online on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Shopping passes are available for purchase at the temple office during business hours.
• CLYNK The green way to raise funds by collecting your bottles and cans. Pick up your recycling bag at the temple office. Contact Maxine Goldberg at maxm0304@yahoo.com.
• GOT SNEAKERS Place sneakers that you no longer wear into the box in the temple entryway for reuse or recycling. Contact Elie Davis for information at davisj0726@gmail.com.