Holiday background information & recommended reading
A Welcoming Message from the Rabbi
Welcome to the web site of Congregation Berith Sholom! This is a special community, and we welcome you to join it. Whether you express your Judaism through prayer, food, singing, Tikkun Olam (social action), meditation, Yiddish, study, Israel, dancing, teaching ... I’m sure I’ve left many things out ... you can find and create a Jewish home here. Whether you are Jewish or love somebody Jewish, we welcome you. Whatever the configuration of your family, we welcome you. Look around our web site to learn about our varied activities.
Our congregation has deep roots in the Reform Movement. Like the movement in general, we now are exploring Jewish tradition more fully, seeking to learn how Jewish action -- both in the synagogue and in daily life -- moved our ancestors and can speak to us. Our services are spirited and song-filled, our adults excited about learning, and parents tell me that their children look forward to Religious School -- which is a miracle in itself, is it not? Our Social Action committee makes a difference in the lives of both Jews and the general community, and our members connect with each other through the many formal and informal groups that have emerged in the synagogue.
We are known as a warm and welcoming congregation. We try to support each of our members in times of crisis and rejoice together at simchas. Because we are a small congregation, there are many opportunities for hands-on involvement in the life of the synagogue.
I look forward to meeting you. B’ruchim ha-ba’im -- you bring us blessings by joining us!
L’shalom, Rabbi Debora S. Gordon
Photo by Lori Van Buren / Times Union
Please note that this Friday (May 16) is Teacher Appreciation Shabbat and services begin at 7:00 PM
Tamarim – The Netzer Year
The Union for Reform Judaism’s new year-long Israel travel and education program for recent high school graduates is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year. Participants will live in Jerusalem, spend time on a kibbutz and explore Israel. This one-of-a-kind program gives high school graduates a once-in-a-lifetime Israel experience. Learn all about it here: www.yearinisrael.org/index.cfm
Upcoming Member Events
There is a wide variety of social, cultural and educational programs planned at Berith Sholom for the next few months!
Sunday, May 11 - Advocates for Welcoming Congregations meets at 5 P.M. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, North Main and Madison in Albany
Welcome to the web site of Congregation Berith Sholom! This is a special community, and we welcome you to join it. Whether you express your Judaism through prayer, food, singing, Tikkun Olam (social action), meditation, Yiddish, study, Israel, dancing, teaching ... I’m sure I’ve left many things out ... you can find and create a Jewish home here. Whether you are Jewish or love somebody Jewish, we welcome you. Whatever the configuration of your family, we welcome you. Look around our web site to learn about our varied activities. 