Chocolate Seder at Congregation Beth Shalom, April 2, 2023
Sisterhood/Men's Club Partnership Meeting-Tax Planning and Preparation, Sunday, January 29, 2023
Jackie and George Marshall gave a presentation on tax planning and preparation that was user friendly. They were very knowledgeable and approachable. They addressed all questions and concerns about current tax laws and the new ones. Everyone enjoyed and appreciated their visit on a cold Sunday morning.
‘It Could Happen Here’ – A Conversation with Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Many congregants from Beth Shalom attended a conversation in the GE Theater at Proctors with Jonathan Greenblatt, author of It Could Happen Here – Why America is Tipping from Hate to the Unthinkable – And How We Can Stop It. In his new book, Greenblatt sounds an alarm about how the antisemitism and hate-related violence once relegated to far-off places is intensifying in the U.S., and how violence on an even larger, more catastrophic scale could be around the corner if we don’t act now. The program was moderated by Neil Golub.
Welcoming Back "Snowbirds"
Potluck Brunch - The Jewish World (June 23-July 7, 2022) – The sisterhood and men’s club of Congregation Beth Shalom in Clifton Park sponsored a potluck brunch at the synagogue, 688 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park, on Sunday, June 12th, to welcome back its “snowbirds. Forty people attended, including from left, in the red kippah, Bob Silverman, wife Colleen next to him, Linda and Steve Gellman, seated next to them. Standing is Rabbi Ami Monson, who has been rabbi for Friday night services for several months. He is talking to Annie and Larry Friedman.
Veteran’s Day Luncheon at Beth Shalom: November 14th, 2021 - Sponsored by Sisterhood, Men’s Club and Congregation Beth Shalom in memory of all our men & women who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces. Our Guest speaker was Mr. Clifford Seguin from the "Adopt A Soldier Program."
High Holiday Services at Beth Shalom 2021-5782 - Limited in-synagogue attendance with social-distancing, required masks, etc., combined with a Zoom transmission provided very meaningful high holiday services.
New
Jerusalem by
David Ives – August 1, 2021 performed at Congregation Beth Shalom by actors from Homemade Theater. There were two
performances one at 1 PM, the other at 5 PM. This play is about the Jewish
philosopher Spinoza.
Baruch de Spinoza is a young merchant and the heir apparent of Saul Mortera, the chief Rabbi of Amsterdam. But Amsterdam’s Sephardic Jews have made a fatal arrangement with the city: They have agreed to police their own community for unorthodox beliefs. When the city accuses Spinoza of atheism, Mortera must summon Baruch to the synagogue to defend himself. Spinoza’s best friend, his sister and the woman he loves are all drawn into the controversy, a historical event that shook up not only the entire Jewish community of Amsterdam, but changed Spinoza’s and Mortera’s lives—and all of Western thought—irrevocably. No written record survives of what was said at Temple Talmud Torah on July 27, 1656. In this eloquent and masterful drama, David Ives attempts to open the temple doors and let us listen in on a dispute whose philosophical and political echoes still reverberate today.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Art Work: July-August, 2021 - Congregation Beth Shalom Member Roberta Moses' beautiful art work was on public display at the Mechanicville Public Library. For those of you that are not familiar with Roberta Moses, she is a local artist. She is also a founding member of Congregation Beth Shalom. During the months of July and August, 2021 at the Mechanicville Library (190 North Main Street) Roberta will present a showing of her work.
Library times vary and they are closed on Sundays. So if you are looking for something interesting to do, take a trip to the Mechanicville Library and see for yourself the beautiful pieces by Roberta Moses.
A Private Tour of The Tenement Museum in New York - April 25, 2021 - Congregation Beth Shalom hosted virtual field trip down to the Lower East Side! Beth Shalom members had an exclusive, private tour of one of the most unique museums in New York – The Tenement Museum. The tour was led by a Museum Educator and members had a chance to ask questions.
The Tenement Museum provided many opportunities to understand the experiences of immigrants and migrants, and the fundamental role they played in defining our national identity. The museum’s two historic buildings were home to thousands of residents on the Lower East Side. The tour will focused on the Rogarshevsky Family. The Rogarshevsky family was Jewish American family from Lithuania who moved to the Lower East Side in New York.
The Czech Scroll Story: from WWII to the Diaspora - March 14, 2021 - Congregation Beth Shalom enjoyed a Zoom presentation by Lois Roman, a Trustee of the Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST). The history of CBS Holocaust scroll (MST #293) was also discussed.
Lois serves as the US Representative based on the East Coast. The Memorial Scrolls Trust is a London based non-profit which oversees the legacy of 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls that survived the Shoah. After a miraculous story of survival, these scrolls arrived in London and were dispersed on permanent loan to caring communities around the world. Lois began her involvement with MST several years ago following a long career on Wall Street as a money manager. She has a degree from Brandeis University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
A series of miracles allowed a huge hoard of Czech Torah scrolls to survive the devastation of the Shoah and stand as a testament to the communities that perished. The Memorial Scrolls Trust is committed to maintaining the legacy of these scrolls by dispersing 1400 of them around the world on permanent loan from our collection. To those who were entrusted with the scrolls, they are a symbol of hope as well as sorrow. The hope pushed forward an ongoing mission. We believe these Czech scrolls should be reinstituted in Jewish life as a memorial to the vanished communities which once treasured them. The Memorial Scrolls Trust bears witness to the fulfillment of this hope. Let us teach our children about the world of miracles and let us use the scrolls to remind people about what binds them together everyday.
Hadassah Shabbat at Congregation Beth Shalom - February 19, 2021 - Rabbi Markowitz and several Hadassah members of Beth Shalom led the congregation in a meaningful erev Shabbat Zoom service. Next year we are looking forward to resuming in-person services. Please click on photo below to enlarge. Please join us for erev Shabbat services. For information, contact Jackie at (518) 371-0608.
High Holiday Services at Beth Shalom 2020-5781 - Limited in-synagogue attendance with social-distancing, required masks, etc., combined with a Zoom transmission provided very meaningful high holiday services, see photos below. Click on photo to expand.
High Holiday Services at Beth Shalom 2020-5781 - Services were followed by Rabbi Markowitz blowing the shofar out-doors (accompanied by Ellen Markowitz) as our socially-distanced congregation members looked on. Click on photo to expand.
High Holiday Services at Beth Shalom 2020-5781 - Shofar blowing was followed by Tashlich nearby. Tashlich is a customary Jewish atonement ritual where the participants symbolically cast off their sins by gathering along the banks of a river or stream and reciting prayers of repentance. Click on photo to expand.
Annual Congregational Meeting June 11, 2020 - Beth Shalom's annual Congregational meeting was held via Zoom. A new Executive Board, with Lewis Morrison as incoming president, and Board of Trustees was elected effective July 1, 2020. In addition, a new synagogue budget was approved. Outgoing president BJ Rosenfeld, upper left in photo, ran the Zoom meeting.
April 2020 - June 2021 - Rabbi Markowitz conducting Congregation Beth Shalom Shabbat evening services via "Zoom." Click on photo to expand.
"Off-site Dinner" - March 3, 2020
Good food, good drinks and best of all, good friends at our "off-site dinner" in Boynton Beach, FL!
Chanukah Pot Luck Dinner, Candle-lighting & White Elephant Gift Exchange -
December 28, 2019
Congregation Beth Shalom hosted a Chanukah Pot Luck Dinner, Candle-lighting with a White Elephant Gift Exchange on December 28, 2019.
Refreshments were provided by Sisterhood and Men's Club. A good time was had by all!
Off-site Dinner - December 2, 2019
Good food, good drinks and best of all, good friends at our off-site dinner!
Snowbirds Celebrate November Birthdays in Florida - November 17, 2019
A group of Beth Shalom members got together in Boca Raton, Florida to celebrate several November birthdays!
Veteran's Day program - November 10, 2019
Guest speaker and brunch.
Maj. Shawn Tabankin served in the United States Army for over 17 years, originally enlisting in 1997 as a Private in the 82nd Airborne Division. Maj. Tabankin received his commission as an Infantry Officer in 2002, and transferred to the NYANG in order to attend New York Law School. Maj. Tabankin has been mobilized twice for combat tours; Iraq in 2004 as an Infantry Platoon Leader, and Afghanistan in 2012 as an Infantry Company Commander. Maj. Tabankins awards include two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantrymans Badge. Maj. Tabankin is currently on Active Duty for the NYANG, serving as the Operations Officer in the 2-108th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Utica, New York."March of the Living" Talk - September 7, 2019
Guest speaker Seth Finkle spoke about his experiences taking part in the 2019 "March of the Living." This is a three kilometer walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau, done as a tribute to all victims of the Holocaust. This walk takes place annually on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day and brings people, young and old, from around the world.
"PAPER CLIPS" - July 17, 2019
Over 35 people turned out to watch this video, partake in deserts and enjoy commentary from Tony McCann. The video began as a lesson about prejudice as teachers, in a rural Tennessee heavily Christian community, searched for a way to teach their students about prejudice and the Holocaust. What happened next was a MIRACLE.
Sukkot 2018 at Congregation Beth Shalom - September, 2018
80th Birthday Celebration - June 17, 2018
Rabbi Markowitz (left) and many friends and relatives helped Don Rubin (center) celebrate his 80th birthday.
4th Annual Joint Rosh Hodesh Woman's Program - May 15, 2018
Portraits of our Mothers: We came together to share who our mothers were before they became mothers. What were their dreams and accomplishments, and how did they inspire us?
Men's Club Talk: The Future Of Clifton Park - April 29, 2018
Phil Barrett, town supervisor, discussed “The Future of Clifton Park" using a very comprehensive and informative slide presentation.
Celebration of Israel’s 70th Birthday - April 20, 2018
The festivities included dinner, Shabbat Services and a special Oneg Shabbat. Our own Clifton Park Town Supervisor, Phil Barrett (pictured below right with Congregation President Fern Hayden) was our special guest speaker are talked about the special relationship between the United States and Israel.
Pot luck dinner followed by Jewish storyteller - October 21, 2017
Sisterhood sponsored a delicious pot luck dinner followed by storyteller Sandor Schuman.
Choir Practice - September 2017
The Beth Shalom choir during a practice session for the High Holidays.
Annual Congregation Beth Shalom Picnic - August 27, 2017
Men's Club sponsored our annual picnic: great friends, great food, great live music and great weather! A good time was had by all.
JCC Maccabi Games - August 6-11, 2017
Congratulations to all the members of Congregation Beth Shalom who were involved in successfully bringing the JCC Maccabi Games to Northeastern New
York. Great job by the volunteers who were involved in hosting,
coaching, and cheering the athletes.
Trip to Montreal, Canada - June 28-29, 2017
Members of Congregation Beth Shalom spent two days in Montreal touring and shopping.
A Day at the Lake - July 9, 2017
Members of Congregation Beth Shalom spent a pleasant day among friends on Lake Buel, Massachusetts.
Bat Mitzvah - 2016
Rabbi Markowitz reviews the Torah portion with a Bat Mitzvah.
Volunteers For Israel (VFI) - 2014, 2015
Three individuals from Congregation Beth Shalom have participated in VFI Program (In Israel: Sar El)
Sisterhood/Men's Club Partnership News (same clubs, a new name)
NEWS FOR May
Hi everybody,
Programs to look forward to:
May - Barry Hammerling - Economy, market, finance - May 21st at 10:00 AM
June 11 - Welcome home - pot luck brunch - 11:00 AM. We held this event last year & it was a huge success.
The partnership needs member help.
Time to pay dues to the partnership of Men's Club & Sisterhood, if you haven't already done so. Sandy and I are asking for your support so we can continue to have programs, provide refreshments, and keep the kitchen stocked and in working order. Dues are only $36.00 per person. If you have any questions, please call Sandy at: 518-877-7878.
Sisterhood/Men's Club Partnership of Congregation Beth Shalom is one of the primary service arms of our Synagogue. We create, coordinate, and participate in social events that entertain or are of educational benefit to congregational families. We also contribute manpower and financial support to synagogue events as needed, based on availability of volunteers and or funds.
We are always looking for new ideas and volunteers to assist in our programs. We need members to volunteer in order to achieve the partnership's future programs.
Sandy and Les