FAQ

  • What time are Shabbat services?

    Services are held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evenings. Tot Shabbat Services are held on the first Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m. We have a Saturday morning service at 10:45 a.m. only when there is a bar/bat mitzvah.

  • Do I have to be a member to come to Shabbat Service or the High Holy Day Services?

    No. You can come to any of our services. You do need to have a ticket for the High Holy Day services, but our tickets are free. You only need to give us a call and we’ll mail them out to you.

  • Are High Holy Day tickets really free?
  • What should I wear to services?

    We don’t care! Come as you are, but do come!

  • When is the office open?
    • September through June: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • July and August: Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
  • Is the Cemetery open?

    The Cemetery is open Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., April through October. You can obtain a key for entry at other times from the temple office, just give us a call. Click here to get directions to the cemetery.

  • Who should I contact about my bill?

    Please contact our bookkeeper, Sharon at 518-374-8173 ext 115 or email her at SharonL@cgoh.org.

  • How do I become a Gates member?

    Just give us a call!  We’ll mail you a membership packet and someone from our Membership Committee will contact you. In addition, you may call the temple office with any questions at 518-374-8173. To talk to someone about financial questions, please contact our Executive Director, Laura Ehrich at lehrich@cgoh.org. And please feel free to contact any of our staff with specific questions.

  • I may be interested in joining your congregation, how can I get a feel to see if your temple is a right fit?

    All of our programs and services are open to non-members (except for Religious/Hebrew School beginning in kindergarten.) So please join us for Shabbat  or High Holy Day* services, pot luck and holiday dinners, attend an adult ed class or lecture, and come to our prospective member open house held in September of each year. Also, feel free to make an appointment to meet our rabbi, educator, or executive director.
    * High Holy Day tickets are free, but you do need them to attend. Just give us a call!

  • I’m afraid I can’t afford to be a member. What can I do?

    Our goal is to make membership affordable to everyone. Please contact Laura Ehrich, our executive director to discuss membership options.

  • How old should my child be to attend Religious and Hebrew School?

    We offer Sunday morning Religious School classes for 3-year old nursery through 7th grade.

  • When is Religious School and Hebrew School?

    School runs September through May. 

    Religious School for nursery through 7th grade is held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon,

    Hebrew School for 4th through 7th grade: families have a choice of Tueday at 4:30 p.m. in our Clifton Park satellite school, Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. at Gates, or come in earlier on Sundays at 8:15 a.m. before Religious School.

  • At what age would my son or daughter become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

    In our congregation, students become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at age 13. Hebrew lessons begin in 3rd grade and it is expected that students attend four years of school. New members should meet with the Rabbi to determine what preparations would need to be made.

  • Do I need an appointment to see the Rabbi?

    You do need to make an appointment to see the Rabbi. Please call the Rabbi’s Assistant, Michelle Warren at 518-374-8173 ext 111 or e-mail her at mwarren@cgoh.org.

  • If I am not a member, how do I make a donation in memory of or in honor of a loved one?

    Thank you for considering a donation to our congregation. You may make a secure donation online, click donate link at the top right or bottom of any page. Or you may mail a check to Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12309 or call the temple office at 518-374-8173 to give us your credit card information. Please be sure to specify your name and address, the name of the person in whose memory or honor you are making the donation, and the name of any specific fund you would like credited with your donation. If a fund is not specified, the donation will go to our Supporting Jewish Vibrancy (aka: building fund). You may also contact our Executive Director, Laura Ehrich at lehrich@cgoh.org if you would like more information about our funds or about other Perpetual Endowment Giving Opportunities.

  • Do you have programs for small children?

    Yes. And all of these programs are open to non-members.

    • On Monday mornings at 9:15 a.m. we have a vibrant parent/child playgroup PJ Library Havdalah Playgroup
    • The first Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m. is Tot Shabbat followed by a pizza dinner (fee for dinner is $12 per family)
    • We have a Sunday Nursery Religious School program for 3 and 4 year old children.
    • During Shabbat Service and Pot Luck dinners, if your younger family members find the sanctuary or pot luck spaces overwhelming, we have a quite space with Shabbat toys and books.