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 wre 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 News
SISTERHOOD NEWS FOR JUNE and JULY
Hi everybody,
All of us need to be vaccinated.
The sooner we do that, the sooner we can begin Sisterhood activities.
Some tentative activities for the foreseeable future:
1. A MEET AND GREET DESSERT GET TOGETHER.
2. A TEA PARTY,
3. A Program ABOUT THE HEART (with Men's Club)
If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
Congratulations to Sandy Rubin and Mark Finkle on their son, Corey Finkle’s, publication of his first children’s book called “Your Future is Bright.”
It is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
VEGGIE SOUP WITH BEANS
Ingredients:(From THE CROCK POT DUMP MEALS)
2 CANS (15 ounces each) mixed vegetables
1 lb.cubed beef stew meat
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
Combine veggies, beef, tomato sauce, garlic and enough water to within 1/2 inch of top. Stir.
Cover Crock Pot.
Cook on low 8-10 hours.
Happy eating to everyone.
Sheila and Sandy
Men's Club Report
The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Shalom is one of the primary service arms of our Synagogue, and essential complement to the Sisterhood. We create, coordinate and participate in social events that entertain, or are of educational benefit to congregation families. We also contribute manpower and financial support to synagogue events as needed based on availability of volunteers and/or funds.
Our hope is that we will soon be able to continue our programs now that most of the people have been vaccinated. So, keep reading the weekly announcements and look for notices of an event that is being planned.
We are always looking for new ideas and volunteers to assist in our programs. Any suggestions from our members will be appreciated. I can be contacted at 518-371-4946 or email me at [email protected] We need our members to volunteer in order to achieve Sisterhood/Men’s Club future programs.
Les Miller,
Men's Club President