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Family Havdalah, Nov 2023

Concert marks dedication of Historic Piano

On Nov. 19, 2023, Vassar Temple celebrated the dedication of its 1923 Mason & Hamlin Grand Piano at a special event featuring a piano concert.  This historic  piano was donated to the Temple by the Lemberger family, and restored with funds raised by the Music Committee.  Shown in front of the piano, Soloists:Joseph Bertolozzi,Ruthanne Schempf, Donor Barbara Lemberger, Soloists:James M.Fitzwilliam,Sylvia Buccelli

Temple teens trim Thanksgiving baskets, Nov 2023

Sukkah Decorators at work! Oct, 2023

Marcia Tanzman receives the 2023 Arnold Award

The annual Arnold Award for contributions to the ritual life of Vassar Temple was presented to Marcia Tanzman by Rabbi Renni Altman at the Selichot program.

Polly Lewis receives the Evelyn Kahn award, June 2023

The 2023 Evelyn Kahn Spirit of Sisterhood Award was presented to Polly Lewis at the Sisterhood Dinner on June 26th in recognition of her commitment to and unfailing support of Sisterhood. Congratulations to Polly on this well-deserved honor! The award was presented by Marcia Tanzman.

Founders Award 2023 - Ron Rosen

Ron Rosen receives 2023 Founders Service Award

Ron Rosen was presented with the annual Founders’ Service Award at the membership meeting on June 14th by last year’s recipients, Marcia and Glenn Tanzman.

Temple families clean up Grace Smith House for Mitzvah Day, May 2023

Temple families participate in Mitzvah Day, May 2023

Temple cemetery cleanup for Mitzvah Day, May 2023

Tiny Temple program with PJ library celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, May 1, 2023

Tibor & Noemi Spitz at their Vassar Temple presentation, November 20, 2022

Vassar Temple’s Tashlich ceremony and Rosh Hashanah family service at Sunset Lake,
Vassar College

 

Gail D’Alessio received the 2022 Stephen A. Arnold Award.
In the photo, Gail D’Alessio (l) is with author Anita Diamant at local Community Shabbaton.

Vassar Temple Purim Carnival 2022

 

Vassar Temple members at Unite Against Hate March/Rally, October 3, 2021: 
Rabbi Altman, Howard Susser, Lew and Hilary Wrobel.

 

Shabbat Evening Service ~ Hybrid
Friday, December 20, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Led by Rabbi Altman and Music with Marge Groten

Torah Study led by Rabbi Altman ~ Hybrid
Saturday, December 21 at 9 am

New Paths Service ~ Hybrid
Saturday, December 21 at 10:15 am

Vassar Temple’s 175th Anniversary Gala ~ Sunday, April 14, 2024

Dear Vassar Temple Friends,
 
What an amazing 175th Anniversary gala we had!  Our deepest thanks to Sandra Mamis and her incredibly hard-working gala committee.  Thanks to all who attended, to our many generous sponsors, as well as to those who placed ads and supported the baskets and wine pull!
 
In addition to the numerous proclamations announced Sunday evening, Sandra also reached out to our Assemblymembers, Didi Barrett and Jonathan Jacobson, who together sponsored a resolution in the Assembly.  



Assemblymember Barrett also arranged for an invitation to me to offer the Assembly Invocation in honor of our 175th.  I was privileged to offer it this past Tuesday to start that day’s legislative session.



Following the invocation (after some other introductions), Assemblymember Barrett officially introduced me and welcomed Sandra, who accompanied me to Albany and was able to sit on the floor of the Assembly Chamber. 



If you’d like to watch it, you can see the video here CLICK HERE (stay on after the invocation for Didi’s remarks) CLICK HERE or you can read my invocation CLICK HERE. 

Happy 175th Vassar Temple!
 
Renni

Please enjoy these memories from the Gala

Sandra Mamis ~ Opening Remarks ~ CLICK HERE

President’s 175th Anniversary Gala Message ~ CLICK HERE

Video from Senator Schumer ~ CLICK HERE

Gala SlideShow ~ CLICK HERE

Gala Commemorative Journal – CLICK HERE


Pictures from the Gala ~ Photography by Rachel Mamis, pictured above with her mother, Sandra Mamis ~ CLICK HERE

 

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Link to JFDC Calendar

      Welcome to Vassar Temple

  • Join a Reform congregation with a rich history and discover the powerful relevance of Judaism today.
  • Participate in projects that improve our world.
  • Delight in spiritual and intellectual growth.
  • Share your joys and challenges and achieve a sense of peace and belonging.
  • Enjoy opportunities for prayer, learning, social interaction, and Jewish and personal life-cycle support.
  • Enrich your life with meaningful rituals, caring friendships, and joyful celebrations.
  • Join a welcoming congregation where you are accepted as you are at any level of involvement.

 

Popular Links

Bulletin

 
 
Rabbi Altman and Cantor Goldmann on Yom Kippur 2021
 
 
Break fast at Vassar Temple

Vassar Temple members at Unite Against Hate March Rally (Oct. 3) Rabbi Altman, Howard Susser,  Lew and Hilary Wrobel.

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages jemerman

Film
Photo of Adrien Brody in a scene from the movie "The Brutalist"
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" opens with Hungarian architect, Jewish Holocaust survivor, and soon-to-be freshly minted U.S. immigrant László Toth in the shadowy depths of a ship headed into New York Harbor.

Proud JEWS

Proud JEWS jemerman

Modern Day Issues in Antisemitism
Photo of the words "Proud Jews" written in chalk on the sidewalk
Right before Sukkot, I noticed the word "JEW" carved into my sidewalk. I began to grind out the word, but rather decided to replace the space by adding "Proud JEWs" to the sidewalk.

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation jemerman

Hanukkah
Photo of a menorah with 7 candles lite
At Fat Torah, Hanukkah is our favorite holiday. Hanukkah in particular is a holiday that celebrates fat. On Hanukkah, we remember that miraculous oil that was meant to only last for one day and ended up lighting the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem for eight days. Eating foods fried in oil, in fat, is a key part of this commemoration.

Winterfaith

Winterfaith jemerman

Jewish Rituals and Symbols
Photo of two kids sitting on a snow board surrounded by a lot of snow and trees
"Winterfaith" seems a much more apt description for me than "interfaith." We're not observing two religions; I was raised Jewish, and my partner was not. Together, we are raising our children as Jewish campers, and even after 15+ years of our relationship, 11 of which with at least one child, the winter holidays are when our "interfaith" background proves to be the most challenging.