Congregation Gates of Heaven

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Founded over 170 years ago in 1854, Congregation Gates of Heaven is a reform synagogue in Schenectady, New York, a member synagogue of the Union for Reform Judaism, and the oldest Jewish congregation in Schenectady. We are the spiritual home of over 300 member families, including over 100 students in Gates Quest, our re-imagined supplemental school.

We’re a caring family united in social action, prayer, education, and social activities. We encourage you to engage with Judaism on your own level, on your own terms. Gates of Heaven welcomes members of all backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Our members consist of Jews each with unique experiences within Judaism, young and older adults, married and unmarried, Jews by birth and Jews by choice, and members of the LBGTQ+ community.

Our Gates are open to all.

May - June

See weekly programming links on bottom of this page

Monday, May 26, Office Closed, Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 27, NO "Wonders of Judaism" discussion

Wednesday, May 28,

8:00 AM, No Shikum HaNefesh

Noon to 1:30 PM, Senior Moments

1:00 PM, No Community & Coffee on 5/28, due to Senior Moments

Saturday, May 31, 4:30 PM Pre-Shavuot Celebration & Dairy Dessert blowout with Kugel Smackdown

Start with a soulful Havdalah, then Compete for the Golden Spoon for Best Classic Kugel, Most Outrageous Kugel or People's Champion! Follow this with our Dairy desserts --cheesecakes, blintzes, and other creamy delights to celebrate the tastes of Shavuot. Please RSVP here so we have a count. Competitors- please bring a list of your ingredients

Sunday, June, 9:00 AM Remove Flags at Watt Street Cemetery

Sunday, June 1, 7:30 PM, Confirmation / Erev Shavuot Service

Monday, June 2, 9:00 AM, Shavuot Morning Yizkor Service, In person Hatkoff Room or Virtually through LiveStream. Office Closed & No Tai Chi.

Thursday, June 5, 7:00 PM, Mensches & Mimosas recognition of Elisa Harrington-Verb, Hatkoff Room

Summer office hours at CGOH begin
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fridays, June 6 - August 29: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Friday, June 6, 5:45 PM, Jammies & Jeans

Sunday, June 8, 11:30 AM, Washington Park, Albany, Capital Pride Parade
Due to a number of pre-planned events, CGOH will not be having a place in the Pride Parade. Please join the Federation as they have kindly offered- Please RSVP to march with Federation in the Albany Pride parade. Federation will also have a table in the community tent you can use as a home base or meeting spot for your groups.

Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 PM, Sisterhood Book Group Annual book selection and Dessert Potluck at the Dashew home

Sunday, June 15 at 5:00 PM, Josh Cooper-Ginsburg will sing the National Anthem & Arnie Rotenberg will throw the first pitch. Sign up here $11/person

Thursday, June 19, Office Closed, Juneteenth

Items of Interest: Please apply, volunteer, or garden

Temple Community Service Corps High School Students can now apply for community service internships locally. See the details. Applications due as soon as you can, Apply here.

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Honor Our Veterans

We Need Your Help! Volunteer to Remove Flags: Sunday, June 1 at 9:00 AM

Please sign up in advance by calling the office at 518-374-8173 or emailing Tammy at Tammy@cgoh.org. Rain dates will be shared with all volunteers if needed.

Thank you for helping us honor our heroes!
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Raised Garden Plots available
Two (2) open garden plots available. First come, first served. Contact Mary at her email. memmatthews6@gmail.com.

July

Get Ready for Sycamore Collaborative's 2025 Summer Meals Program!
This year, instead of CGOH setting up volunteers for a whole week, we're inviting individuals and groups to sign up directly with the collaborative for one or more specific days to help serve meals. The program will run Tuesday, July 1 through Friday, August 29, with sites open Monday through Friday (except Friday, July 4). Training is required, either on June 3rd or by video. Expect a total of two hours (set up, serving and clean up) for each day you volunteer.

We are looking for volunteers to help at the following sites:

Tribute Park: volunteer arrival at 11:00AM, lunch service 11:30AM-12:30PM
Central Park: volunteer arrival at 11:30AM, lunch service 12:00-1:00PM
Southgate Apartments: volunteer arrival at 11:45AM, lunch service 12:15-1:15PM
Jerry Burrell Park: volunteer arrival at 11:45AM, lunch service 12:15-1:15PM
Mont Pleasant Library: volunteer arrival at 12:00PM, lunch service 12:30PM-1:30PM

For more information and/or to volunteer to help at a Summer Lunch site, email Kerrie
Wolf-Piechota at kerrie@sycamorecollab.org or Kate Koutsourades at kate@sycamorecollab.org.

Join us for weekly programming:

Zenobics Tai Chi Mondays at 6:30 PM Zoom / Hatkoff Room (not on 5/26/2025)

Wonders of Judaism Tuesdays at 12:00 PM Zoom only (not on 5/27/2025)

Shikum HaNefesh Wednesdays at 8:00 AM Zoom only (not on 5/28/2025)
Community and Coffee Wednesdays at 1:00 PM Zoom / Hatkoff Room (not on 5/28/2025)
Talmud Study Thursdays at 12:00 PM Zoom / Hatkoff Room (not on 5/29/2025)

Shabbat Services Fridays at 7:00 PM Livestream / Main Sanctuary
Torah Study Saturdays at 9:00 AM Zoom / Hatkoff Room

Mon, May 26 2025
28 Iyar 5785

Today's Calendar

Yom Y'rushalayim

Tomorrow's Calendar

Board of Trustees Meeting

: 7:30pm

Upcoming Programs & Events

May

Office Closed
Monday, May 26

May

Senior Moments
Wednesday, May 28 12:00pm

May

Kugel Smackdown
Shabbat, May 31 4:30pm

Jun

Brotherhood Zoom Meeting
Sunday, Jun 1 9:00am

Jun

Remove Flags from Watt St Cemetery
Sunday, Jun 1 9:00am

Yom Y'rushalayim

Monday, May 26

View Calendar

Please click on the flyer to contact Arnie

Our Weeping Higan Japanese Cherry Trees

Taken 4-21-2025 Note: 5-5-2025 The beauty is past! Help sponsor future trees & their care. Cherry Blossom Fund Link

Mitzvah of the Month

Join us on a meaningful journey where each month, we focus on a different organization or cause that makes a difference in the world. We will explore the mission of an organization or cause, learn about the impact they have, and actively contribute. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Tzedakah (charitable giving), Gemilut Khasadim (acts of kindness), and the power of community, all while building friendships and growing as leaders.

This month's 2025 Mitzvahs

We are collecting donations for the upcoming May B'nai Mitzvahs (see next section below).

We love learning about organizations or causes to collaborate with for our ongoing Mitzvah of the Month social action projects.

Call the office with your suggestions, or email Tammy at tammy@cgoh.org or Arnie at arotenberg @cgoh.org.

B'Mitzvah Projects

Noah Baxt's Bar Mitzvah project is asking for donations for Linclusion. Its mission is to provide the opportunity for kids of all abilities to be able to experience the magic of summer camp with the organization’s support. https://www.linclusion.org

Tessa Lynch’s Bat Mitzvah project is raising money for the non- profit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. They work to support the national theater community whenever there is a disease (COVID) or other medical issue that affects the theater community. Link to donate in honor of Tessa Lynch

Link for Jill Gilman's Project For Jill's bat mitzvah project, she decided to collect supplies and raise money for the Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of New York (HBDRNY). HBDRNY is not a shelter and does not have a facility, all the dogs live in foster homes in the area.

Mon, May 26 2025 28 Iyar 5785