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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 Service HYBRID
Led by Rabbi Altman and Music with Gail D’Alessio
Friday, October 4 at 7:30 pm

Torah Study HYBRID
Led by Rabbi Altman 
Saturday, October 5 at 9 am

New Paths Service HYBRID
Saturday, October 5 at 10:15 am

 Vassar Temple High Holy Days Information

CLICK HERE FOR THE GUEST FORM

CLICK HERE FOR THE BREAK THE FAST FORM

2024/5785 HIGH HOLY DAYS SCHEDULE

 

All services, with the exception of outdoor and off-site gatherings, will occur in a hybrid fashion,

Zoom links will be provided to members and guests via email in advance.

 

Selichot Service: Saturday, September 28th

●             7:30 pm – Dessert and schmoozing in the social hall, followed by the Arnold Award presentation and Havdalah

●             9:00 pm – Selichot Service in the sanctuary

 

Erev Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:30 pm

 

Rosh Hashanah: Thursday, October 3rd

●             10:00 am – Morning Service

●             3:00 pm – Family Service at Sunset Lake, Vassar College (sanctuary in case of inclement weather)

●             4:00 pm – Tashlich at Sunset Lake, Vassar College (October 4th in case of inclement weather)

 

Rosh Hashanah Second Day Service: Friday, October 4th at 10:00 am

 

Memorial Service: Sunday, October 6th at 2:00 pm at Vassar Temple Cemetery on LaGrange Ave

 

Kol Nidrei: Friday, October 11th at 7:30 pm

 

Yom Kippur: Saturday, October 12th

●             10:00 am – Morning Service

●             1:00 pm – Family Service in the Sanctuary

●             2:00 pm – Study Session with Gail D’Alessio and Sam Finnerman ~ “The Holiness Code”

●             3:00 pm – Meditation in the sanctuary led by Linda Cantor

●             4:00 pm – Afternoon Service

●             5:30 pm – Yizkor (Memorial) Service

●             6:00 pm – Ne’ilah (Concluding) Service followed by Havdalah and Ritual Break the Fast

●             Break the Fast meal for those registered will follow Havdalah

 

Erev Sukkot: Wednesday, October 16th

·               5:45 pm – BYO dinner in the sukkah (indoors in case of inclement weather)

·               7:00 pm – Service

 

Simchat Torah: Wednesday, October 23rd

·               5:45 pm – Dinner (details will follow in temple publicity, outdoors weather permitting)

·               7:00 pm – Erev Simchat Torah Service with Klezmer

 

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Yizkor Service: Thursday, October 24th at 10:30 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

 

Breaking Jewish News


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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

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th jemerman

Israel Peace and Security
Photo of two hands holding a memorial candle, with white label and a blue star of david on it
These materials include readings, interviews, and more that reflect on the year that has passed since the October 7th attacks.

Judging Others, Judging Ourselves

Judging Others, Judging Ourselves jemerman

Talk for a Change
Photo of a woman looking at her reflection in a small hand-held mirrow
One year ago, I wrote a reflection about the label "Judgement Days" for the time between Rosh HaShanah and the end of Yom Kippur. Since then, we only need to say a date out loud to realize how dramatically our world has changed: October 7th.

Creating High Holiday Memories for Children

Creating High Holiday Memories for Children sdolgov

High Holidays
A child blowing a shofar
Finding ways to make the High Holidays meaningful for your child is an important way to nurture their Jewish identity. There are many ways to celebrate at home, like reading books, making crafts, or discussing what the holiday means to you and them.

Jewish Pride + Jewish Community = Strong Jewish Future

Jewish Pride + Jewish Community = Strong Jewish Future jemerman

Summer Youth Experiences
Photo of Rabbi Burkeman and his family at Crane Lake Camp leading Handallah
In North America, our community has been dealing with rising levels of antisemitism and fears about being attacked for the crime of being Jewish. It was against this backdrop that I arrived in the safe haven that is URJ's Crane Lake Camp.