News – Page 4 – Hudson Valley Synagogue

Babka!

September 10, 2017/0 Comments/in News /by CAI Rabbi

Thanks to Sharon Sarna for joining us and the Jewish Federation Of Greater Orange County for sponsoring.

We are learning about babka! What a delicious way to spend the afternoon.

Some of the lessons we learned, with amazing photos can be found on Amazon: Modern Jewish Baker: Challah, Babka, Bagels and More

Important lesson-buy high quality flour and chocolate! It really does make a difference!

For more about Jewish cooking, check out Shannon’s blog:

The Nosher

Hate here? Now?

August 13, 2017/0 Comments/in News /by CAI Rabbi

Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, the history of the Civil Rights movement was real and present. Yet even there, it felt like history. Sure, we knew there were "rednecks" who still spoke vile words, yet the only time anyone ever yelled "Kike" at me was walking to shul with a large group of Christians in Valdosta, GA at the Governor's Honors Program. They were more offended than I was-so surprised at never having experienced it before.

The last couple years history has come back to life for those of us privileged enough not to experience racism on a regular basis. We know that our African-American brothers and sisters have always experienced it, yet for Jews and their paler brothers and sisters racism and anti-Semitism seemed dormant. (They weren't. They were around, we just weren't looking at the signs.)

http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-1.806446

These sides are not parallel. There are no "all sides" when we talk about hatred. We are completely missing the boat if we think there is any parallel between those calling against violence and those promoting it.

I'm talking with my clergy colleagues about how we can react positively in Newburgh and show that hate is not welcome here. Hope you will be able to help!

Wherever we go there is always someone Jewish…

August 11, 2017/2 Comments/in News /by CAI Rabbi

A classic camp song is "Wherever you go there is always someone Jewish." Full lyrics: https://pjlibrary.org/HGF_ResourceCenter/media/LiveResourceLib/Wherever-You-Go.docx
Larry Milder writes:
Wherever you go,
There’s always someone Jewish.
You’re never alone when you say you’re a Jew.
So when you’re not home, and you’re somewhere kind of newish,
The odds are, don’t look far – ‘cause they’re Jewish, too.

Today I took the show on the road and visited Steve Licker, our board chairman, across the river at Starbucks in Poughkeepsie.
There we discussed issues of the day, shul, Torah, Talmud and most important how we must always continue learning.

One of the most important lessons of community is that it is always there for you. You can find it anywhere-both directly from the synagogue and by playing Jewish geography. We always have opportunities to connect to one another-and it is partly open to you. Without U, commnity looks pretty funny. So show up, participate and maybe the someone Jewish will be U!

As close to us as breathing…

July 26, 2017/0 Comments/in News /by CAI Rabbi

Life is not just ritual. Religion is not only prayer. In order to be connected to our heritage, we must look beyond our four walls.

Once a month we read a book. Sometimes they are Jewish authors. Sometimes Jewish content. Sometimes they just strike our fancy and inspire interesting conversation.

This month we explored love, loss and complex family dynamics with Elizabeth Poliner's As Close to us as Breathing.

Perhaps I'll update this with meaningful comments from the group. Even if I do not, I hope to see your thoughts on this great book below!

Torah everywhere!

July 25, 2017/1 Comment/in News /by CAI Rabbi

Anywhere we go is a place to study Torah. (Well maybe not the bathroom, but almost anywhere! In fact there is a story that the Lubavitcher Rebbe would study his biology homework there, but that's a different conversation.

I enjoy supporting our local businesses. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, I can be found at 2Alices Coffee on Broadway, here in Newburgh. (It's right next to the Ritz Theater on lower Broadway.

Tuesday mornings at 9am I study Mishnah. We just finished Moed Katan this morning and began Tractate Rosh Hashanah-learning about the 4 New Years in Jewish tradition. We will meet again on August 15. All are welcome-no knowledge of Hebrew necessary.

Wednesday morning at 9am is an open office hour that I like to call #asktherabbi or #popuprabbi. Join me to discuss any issue that comes to mind. I'll be there July 26 and then August 16. Hope to see you there.

It’s a mitzvah!

July 24, 2017/0 Comments/in News /by CAI Rabbi

One of the blessings of our partnership with Temple Beth Jacob is the opportunity to work together. This week the partnership shined at a yahrzeit minyan. Members of TBJ & CAI both were remembering their parents. Together we had a great turnout and even some cookies.
Community means coming together to celebrate and to mourn. Here in Newburgh, we do both well! Join us!

Friday night

July 23, 2017/1 Comment/in News /by CAI Rabbi

What does your Friday night look like?

There is an old story about the angels we welcome with Shalom Aleichem. One is friendly, one not so much. If the table is set for Shabbat, the songs are sung and the meal is shared, the bad angel must say Amen to the good angels prayer that next week will be the same.

If nothing is set and Shabbat is ignored, the good angel must say amen to the icky angel's prayer that next week will look the same.

This past Shabbat we had a lovely dinner and services at Congregation Agudas Israel.

In August we will have Luau Shabbat with our friends at the JCC and TBJ. In September, all will be invited to the rabbi's backyard for a festive Shabbat dinner. I pray you can join us!

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