One Voice January - February 2026

ONE VOICE
A Kol Yisrael Newsletter
290 North Street, Newburgh, NY 12550
www.kolyisraelnewburgh.org
January—February 2026
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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
2 Beverly Cohen 12 Benjamin Brisman 23 Ellen Rones
5 Elizabeth Webber 15 Barry Hyman 25 Stacey Lazarus
6 Mark Protonentis 17 Paula Hersson-Ringskog 25 Lois Schwedelson
8 Kelly Friedel 17 Paris Liston 28 Mariella DeAngelo
9 Elissa Murillo 18 Robin Marks 29 Gerald Cowen
9 Evelyn Nadle 18 Bruce Barrack 30 Frank DeSiervo
9 Steven Sirota 21 Evie Sosnick 30 Rabbi Douglas Kohn
9 Barbara Scherr 21 Jennifer Nani 31 Sheila Silver
10 Daniel Fishman 22 Brandon Rein
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
3 Risa Siper 9 Elizabeth Solomon 19 Steven Pearl
4 Roberta Nakagawa 9 Roberta Mintz 22 Allen Tisch
5 Esteffania Goldhaber 9 Jeffery Harmer 23 Jonathan Kaplan
6 Constance Littman 10 Robert Fischer 23 Glenn Friedel
7 Alexa Prada 13 Esther Newman 26 Norah O’Neill
7 Sam Holl 17 Patrick Goldman 28 Allen Nakagawa
8 Charlene Hirschberg
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
2 William & Lynne Arnold 5 Frank DeSiervo & Phyllis Hoyt
6 Stuart & Deborah Forman 15 Marc & Lois Schwedelson
16 Steven Sirota & Sally Faith Dorfman Sirota
17 Elliot & Cheryl Tetenbaum
Due to the rising cost of postage, printing and paper, the
One Voice Newsletter will NO LONGER be the sent out in the mail.
It will be sent out through email only.
If you would still like to receive a paper copy in the mail, you can subscribe by emailing
Maryjean@kolyisraelnewburgh.org.
If we do not have your email address, you may email Maryjean@kolyisraelnewburgh.org and we will add
your email to our distribution list. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Friday, January 2, 2026—Tevet 13, 5786
Dina Marie Wittner
Saturday, January 3, 2026— Tevet 14, 5786
Henriette Gittelsohn Jerry Ellick
Sunday, January 4, 2026—Tevet 15, 5786
Ethel Cooper
Sadye Greenblatt
Lillian Loth
Monday, January 5, 2026—Tevet 16, 5786
Julius Isaacs
Tuesday, January 6, 2026—Tevet 17, 5786
Matilda Wasserman Ada Arbetsman
Harry Horn
Linda Schulman
Wednesday, January 7, 2026—Tevet 18, 5786
Harry Alpert
Bessie Wolkstein
Marian Riesenberg
Thursday, January 8, 2026—Tevet 19, 5786
Lenore Goldfarb
Shirley Hirshfield
William Howard Herbert Rita Karp
Judith Kopald
Patricia Rider
Friday, January 9, 2026—Tevet 20, 5786
George Kieva
Joshua Seralnick
Nechama Seralnick Gertrude Navon
Saturday, January 10, 2026—Tevet 21, 5786
Bess Ann Wexler
Fred Goldsmith
Ruth Gruenberg
Sunday, January 11, 2026—Tevet 22, 5786
Emanuel Rothbaum Gloria Brisman
Monday, January 12, 2026—Tevet 23, 5786
Harry Nash
Tuesday, January 13, 2026—Tevet 24, 5786
Anna Licker
Wednesday, January 14, 2026—Tevet 25, 5786
Jacob Licker
Shuree Abrams
David Rothstein
Thursday, January 15, 2026—Tevet 26, 5786
Dr. Herbert Kaplan Rae Katz
Gideon Lewin
Hinde Lewin
Herbert Wasserman Louis Ushman
January Yahrzeits
Friday, January 16, 2026—Tevet 27, 5786
David Rubnitz
Mark Seralnick
Saturday, January 17, 2026– Tevet 28, 5786
Israel Friedman
Louis Nurik
Linda Sue Navon
Max Pomerantz
Sunday, January 18, 2026—Tevet 29, 5786
Gertrude Moses Fitts Arlene Buckwald
Bess Rothbaum
Monday, January 19, 2026—Shevat 1, 5786
Jacob Gruberg
Stella Hurwitz
Eugene Jerome Movshin Tomoko Lesowitz
Michael Levinthal
Tuesday, January 20, 2026—Shevat 2, 5786
Benjamin Geller
Wednesday, January 21, 2026—Shevat 3, 5786
Sarah Sigal
Thursday, January 22, 2026—Shevat 4, 5786
Ethel Eisenberg
Isadore Nadle
Abraham Singer
Friday, January 23, 2026—Shevat 5, 5786
Esther Glasner
Rose Yudelson
Saturday, January 24, 2026—Shevat 6, 5786
Jean Ambrosetti
Lee Jonas
Sunday, January 25, 2026—Shevat 7, 5786
Louis Greenblatt
Alice Langer
Seymour Rothman
Monday, January 26, 2026—Shevat 8, 5786
Patricia Sibley McCue Jeanette Ushman
Phyllis Weisblatt
Mollie Suravsky
Tuesday, January 27, 2026—Shevat 9, 5786
Michael Kehoe
Harry Nickowitz
Leo Risberg
Janet Whitebook
Wednesday, January 28, 2026—Shevat 10,
5786
Nathan Moses
Edith Rolnick
Lillian Cohen
Adam Pomerantz
Sylvia Tieman
Thursday, January 29, 2026—Shevat 11, 5786
Albert Nadle
Irving Brown
Jonathan Stern Dorfman Anna Tinkoff
Friday, January 30, 2026—Shevat 12, 5786
Irving Maurice Strauss Harry Greenwald
Saturday, January 31, 2026—Shevat 13, 5786
Martin Arnold
Morris Geller
Harry Rein
Sidney Rubin
YAHRZEIT MINYANS
We are always happy to
arrange a yahrzeit minyan. If you would
like one, please call (845) 562-5604 for
Congregation Agudas Israel or (845)
562-5516 for Temple Beth Jacob at least
one week in advance (two weeks in the
summer). This will give us time to help
you find enough people.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR VISITORS TO CAI CEMETERIES:
The following procedures are in effect to visit our cemeteries.
The Erie Avenue and Workmen's Circle Cemeteries are now closed on Sundays until the spring.
The gates are always locked during the week. If you need to get into the cemeteries, please call to make an appointment.
Note: Unveilings must be scheduled in advance with Cemetery Chairperson, Todd Kelson, as well as our Rabbi.
For additional info regarding the cemeteries, please contact the office at (845) 562-5604.
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Sunday, February 1, 2026—Shevat 14, 5786
Nathan Altarescu
Jay Ira Cohen
Myron Eichengreen Stanley Greenwald
Isador Kopelman
Marcus Tieman
Monday, February 2, 2026—Shevat 15, 5786
Michael Kehoe
Tuesday, February 3, 2026—Shevat 16, 5786
Renee Pollack
Wednesday, February 4, 2026—Shevat 17,
5786
Dolce Dorfman
Annette Migden
Frayda Sinnreich
Thursday, February 5, 2026—Shevat 18, 5786
Lillian Price
Caroline Slade
Friday, February 6, 2026—Shevat 19, 5786
Murray Rasch
Judith Solomon
Manuel Chartoff
Harry Rein
Saturday, February 7, 2026—Shevat 20, 5786
Maude Pearl Ciccone Mary Seralnick
Solomon Dorfman
Sunday, February 8, 2026—Shevat 21, 5786
Sophie Miller
Elaine Selesnick
Howard Brown
Allan Sirota
Maynard Whitebook
Monday, February 9, 2026—Shevat 22, 5786
Philip Miskin
Theodore Nurick
Ruth Abrams
Tuesday, February 10. 2026—Shevat 23, 5786
Norman Shmagin
Armand Tumminia
Wednesday, February 11, 2026—Shevat 24,
5786
Gertrude Brown
Saturday, February 14, 2026—Shevat 27, 5786
Theodora Brooks
Hyman Price
Babette Ettlinger
Annette Packer
Sunday, February 15, 2026—Shevat 28, 5786
Eda Levin
Charles S. Michel
Monday, February 16, 2026—Shevat 29, 5786
Isadore Morris Siegel Sarah Nickowitz
February Yahrzeits
Tuesday, February 17, 2026—Shevat 30, 5786
Harry Barr
Celia Brickman
Nancy Ellish Smith
Julius Keller
Gene Klein
Lloyd Estin
Isadore Lee Finkelstein
Wednesday, February 18, 2026—Adar 1, 5786
Sidney Einhorn
Joel Lewin
Pauline Weinerman Richard TInkoff
Thursday, February 19, 2026—Adar 2, 5786
Gerry Gruber
Alan Robinson
Alex Solomon
Elfriede Littman
Friday, February 20, 2026—Adar 3, 5786
Helen Silbert
David Mintz
Saturday, February 21, 2026—Adar 4, 5786
Samuel Chartoff
Pearl Levinthal
Alfred Levinthal
Lewis Pariser
Sunday, February 22, 2026—Adar 5, 5786
Dorothy Rubin
Gussie Hoyt
Dr. Louis Lytton
Nettie Kopald
Monday, February 23, 2026—Adar 6, 5786
Joan Schwartz
Tuesday, February 24, 2026—Adar 7, 5786
Jennie Geller
Betty Kaplan
Bella Rosenthal
Wednesday, February 25, 2026—Adar 8, 5786
Morris Cohn
Alma Darrow
Sarah Ritter
Thursday, February 26, 2026—Adar 9, 5786
Fischel Meyer Charlap Ella Block
Elliot Janofsky
Clara Kieva
Ruben Price
Friday, February 27, 2026—Adar 10, 5786
Fannie Rones
Celia Schulman
Anna Wolf
Joseph Navon
Saturday, February 28, 2026—Adar 11, 5786
Roland Epstein
Yetta Hoyt
Albert Weinberg
The small sanctuary can
always be opened for a quiet
moment of prayer or meditation.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR VISITORS TO TBJ CEMETERIES:
The following procedures are in effect to visit our cemeteries
The Big Rock Cemetery is always locked. Cedar Hill Cemetery is usually open.
If you need to get into the Big Rock, please call the office to borrow a key. The key must be returned after visiting.
Note: Unveilings must be scheduled in advance with Cemetery Chairperson, Ken Packer.
For additional info regarding the cemeteries, please contact the office at 562-5516 or Ken Packer at 845-590-1315.
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JANUARY 1, 2026— 12 TEVET, 5786
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Dates and
Times of Events
are all subject
to change.
Please check
your emails for
current events.
1
BUILDING
CLOSED
FOR HOLIDAY
2
12pm AA mtg
4:23pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
3
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
via Zoom
5:25pm Havdalah
4
9am Pickleball
10:30am Grief Group
5
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
9:30am Pickleball
10am CAI Adult Cl
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
7pm CAI Bible Cl
7pm TBJ Hebrew
Class
6
7
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
8
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
9
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
4:30pm Candle
Lighting
5:30pm CAI Family
service
6pm CAI Dinner
7:15pm CAI Service
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
10
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
5:31pm Havdalah
9am Pickleball
10:30am TBJ
Synagogue Series
11
12
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
13
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
10am CAI Adult Cl
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Bible Cl
7pm TBJ Hebrew
Class
14
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Exec Mtg
15
9:30am Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
5pm Jews & Brews
6pm Pickleball
6pm Rosh Chodesh
7pm Knitting/Games
7pm TBJ MLK /
birthday Service
7pm CAI E & F Mtg
7:30pm CAI BOT
16
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
4:38pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
17
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study
11:45am CAI
Simchat Kiddush
5:38pm Havdalah
9am Pickleball
18
19
Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day
9:30am Pickleball
10am CAI New Mbrs
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
20
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
10am CAI Adult Cl
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Bible Cl
7pm TBJ Hebrew
Class
21
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
22
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm TBJ Sisterhood
Book Club
7pm Knitting/Games
23
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
4:46pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service & Stained
Glass Speaker
24
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
10:30am TBJ Shabbat
Service
5:46pm Havdalah
9am Pickleball
10:30am TBJ
Synagogue Series
25
26
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
27
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Bible Cl
7pn TBJ Hebrew
Class
28
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Board mtg
29
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
30
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
4:55pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
31
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
5:54pm Havdalah
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FEBRUARY 1, 2026— 14 SHEVAT, 5786
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
9am Pickleball
1
2
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Bible Cl
7pm TBJ Hebrew
3
4
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
5
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
5pm Jews & Brews
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
6
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA Mtg
5:04pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
7
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
6:03pm Havdalah
8
9am Pickleball
10:30am Grief Group
10:30am TBJ
Synagogue Series
9
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
10
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Bible Cl
11
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Exec Mtg
12
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
13
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA Mtg
5:12pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
14
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
11:45am CAI
Simchat Kiddush
6:11pm Havdalah
9am Pickleball
1pm Kol Rental
15
16
PRESIDENT’S
DAY
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
17
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
18
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
19
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
6pm Rosh Chodesh
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
7pm CAI E & F Mtg
7:30pm CAI BOT
20
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
5pm CAI Family
Shabbat Service
5:21pm Candle
Lighting
5:30pm CAI Dinner
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
21
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
6:19pm Havdalah
9am Pickleball
22
23
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
10am CAI Hebrew 1
11am CAI Hebrew 2
1pm CAI Hebrew 3
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
24
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm OA mtg
6pm Pickleball
25
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walkrobics
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Board Mtg.
26
9:30am Beginner
Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
7pm Men Basketball
7pm Knitting/Games
27
9:30am Pickleball
10:30am Chair Yoga
12pm AA mtg
5:29pm Candle
Lighting
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat
Service
28
9:30am CAI Shabbat
Service
9:30am TBJ Torah
Study via Zoom
6:27pm Havdalah
7pm TBJ Cantor
Concert
9

Cash and checks are preferred, since we lose 3.5% of your donation
for bank fees if you pay with a credit card.
10

Please be sure to designate which fund you are donating to. A minimum donation of $10 is
requested (except as indicated) to be listed in the newsletter. If you wish to send an appropriate
card, we ask that your donation be no less than $18.00. For accounting questions,
please contact Anna Geheran at (845) 562-5604 ext. 104.
Jacob Copans Memorial Fund
Sarah Levy Oneg Fund
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Meyer J. Rider Memorial Arts & Music Fund
Memorial Walkway Brick at Big Rock Cemetery
4” x 8” brick for $118 or 8” x 8” brick for $360
Simcha Tree Leaves, Memorial Plaques and Bricks
must be paid for in advance.
Payments can be made by cash, check or credit card or through the Temple Beth Jacob website.
11

Congregation Agudas Israel Programs & Events
Shabbat Services at 9:30am
Saturdays at the Synagogue & via Zoom
Family Shabbat Services
Friday, January 9 & Friday, February 20
Shabbat Service at 5:00pm
Followed by Dinner at 5:30pm
Pre-registration is required for the dinner.
Dinner is $18 per adult, $10 per child or
$50 max per family.
New Member Welcome Event
Monday, January 19, 2026
10:00am Coffee & Bagels
8:00pm evening snacks & chat.
Simchat Kiddush
Saturday, January 17 & February 7.
Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries & other
simchas with a festive Kiddush for a $36
Sponsorship.
Call 562-5604 to sponsor.
JEWS & BREWS
January 15, February 5 & March 5
5:00—7:30pm
Billy Joe’s Ribworks
Newburgh Waterfront
26 Front Street, Newburgh, NY
Meet friends old and new, ask Cantor Carl
anything, and enjoy your first happy hour
beer, wine or cocktail on us!
These evenings are family friendly and free to
attend. No RSVP required.
Hebrew Reading classes
Every Monday taught by Cantor Carl Sayres.
10am - Level 1 - Starting with the Aleph Bet. No experience
reading Hebrew. Making reading & singing
the siddur comfortable and friendly.
11am - Level 2 - Refresher in reading Hebrew. We'll
work on reading and singing from the Siddur.
1pm - Level 3 - Practicing & building skills.
Alex Solomon Parents/Grandparents
Bereavement Support Group
10:30am on Sunday, January 4 & February 8 at
Kol Yisrael, 290 North St, Newburgh, in the children’s library
If you have lost a child or grandchild, no matter what age or
when, come to find and share support.
Facilitated by Rabbi Steven Altarescu,
Board Certified Chaplain and Counselor
For more info contact AlexSolomonGriefGroup
@CongregationAgudasIsrael.org
Shabbat Morning Guest Darshanim
Services Begin at 9:30am
D’Rashot around 10:45am
Kiddush/Lunch at 11:45am
January 3— Nicole Belson Goluboff
Nicole is a rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish
Religion. She is excited to share with you her understanding
of the book of Bereishit.
January 17 –Jewish Family Service of
Orange County
The JFS focuses on Orange County residents who are
over 60 years old, including Holocaust survivors and
developmentally disabled individuals with Jewish connections
to their community. Stacy Oko-Lulkin, Senior
Case Manager, will provide connections and resources
for the Seniors in our community.
February 7—Rabbi Douglas Kohn of
Temple Beth Jacob
Rabbi Kohn will speak about his new book “Striving to
Be Human: Jewish Perspectives on Twenty-First
Century Challenges” and exploring how Jewish wisdom
can help us navigate the complexities of modern life.
12

Temple Beth Jacob Programs & Events
Book Discussion at the Temple
Thursday, January 22 at 1:00pm
Discussion of the book
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Sage Singer is a baker. She works
through the night, preparing the
day’s breads and pastries, trying
to escape a reality of loneliness,
bad memories, and the shadow of
her mother’s death. When Josef
Weber, an elderly man in Sage’s
grief support group, begins stopping
by the bakery, they strike up
an unlikely friendship. Despite their differences,
they see in each other the hidden scars that
others can’t.
Synagogue Leadership Series
10:30am – 12:00pm
Sunday, January 11 & 25 and February 8.
This series looks at the gamut of synagogue
leadership, but it is designed for anyone: the
leader, the Jew in the Pew, and the non-Jewish
person. Understand the Jewish world from how it
works!
Fun, Conversational Hebrew
7:00 – 8:30pm on Tuesday from January 6
through February 3.
In this Ulpan – a shared conversational Hebrew
Learning – we will speak with one another in
easy Hebrew, develop some basic vocabulary,
learn some grammatical structures and have fun!
Materials will be provided. No prior skill needed.
Upcoming Events
Student Cantor Concert—February 28 at 7pm
Sunday, March 1
Hamentashen Baking &
Jewish Book Author Molly Jong Fast
“How To Lose Your Mother:
A Daughter’s Memoir”
Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh
Thursday, January 15 at the
home of Joan Berkley &
Thursday, February 19 at the
home of Lorraine Wernow at 6:00pm
Sisterhood Proneg & Refugee Shabbat
6:30pm on Friday, March 6
$25 per person. Please RSVP by February 30.
Shabbat Service to follow at 7:30pm.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Birthday Service
7:00pm on Thursday, January 15
Saturday Morning Shabbat Service
Saturday, January 24 at 10:30am
Friday Night Shabbat Services
7:30pm
January 2 February 6
January 9 February 13
January 16 February 20
January 23 February 27
January 30
Mitzvah Arugah & Board Games
Thursdays 7:00—8:45pm
Join us for knitting, crocheting
or looming. Lessons are free,
yarn is free, all hats are donated
to those in need.
Or
Bring your own board game - Scrabble, Chess, Rummikub,
Backgammon, dominoes, or card game. Spend
time with friends and relax for a bit! Everyone is welcome
to join us - no cost, just have fun!
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15

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Meditation & Tai Chi Classes
7:00pm on Mondays —Meditation
11:00am on Wednesdays – Tai Chi
Join us with certified instructor Bryon Abrams
as he teaches us mind-body practices
and mindfulness meditation to reduce stress,
lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety,
depression & fatigue. Donations Appreciated.
Line Dancing For Intermediate/Advanced
12:30 – 2:00pm on Wednesdays.
Free for JCC members, $6 for non-members
Come and have a good time.
17

A Message From Cantor Carl Sayres
Dear Friends,
Of all the symbols of Hanukkah that we experienced a few weeks ago - the menorah,
dreidels, latkes, gelt - I’d like to suggest another: a tuna fish sandwich.
I was driving home late one night after teaching a class, hungry, with few food options I
can eat. I passed a Jersey Mike’s and decided to try a tuna sandwich. Tuna is my travel
staple - it’s intrinsically kosher, and the canning process keeps it that way.
But when I walked in, I saw meats being sliced, piles of bacon on the counter, workers
making sandwiches at lightning speed - everything mixed together.
I asked for fresh gloves, paper on the counter, and told the little white lie I often use - that I’m allergic
to meat. He made my sandwich: tuna, lettuce, tomato. Nothing else. Please don’t cut it with a knife.
I sat down to eat - and I hesitated. Halakhically, this was reasonable. Any contamination would be batel
b’shishim, nullified by the talmudic ratio of one part in sixty. So why did I hesitate?
Because Hanukkah reminds us that Judaism has never been only about what is technically permitted.
Think about the oil. According to halakhah, most of the oil in the Temple could have been used. It was
tamei, ritually impure - but not forbidden. There was no halakhic requirement to find a single sealed cruse.
And yet they searched. Because they weren’t just looking for oil. They were looking for their identity.
The Greeks tried to erode Judaism by blurring it - oil is oil, light is light, Torah is just wisdom like any
other. And the Hasmoneans said no. Not everything that works is who we are.
That’s why I hesitated. The sandwich was kosher enough - but it didn’t feel Jewish enough. It felt like
Jewish life diluted.
And then Sunday happened. A Hanukkah celebration in Sydney - light, music, families, joy - and fifteen
people were killed.
Suddenly my hesitation over a sandwich feels small. Who cares about gloves and paper when Jews are
murdered for lighting candles?
Except - that’s exactly the point.
Hanukkah is the holiday of lighting candles in the window - pirsumei nisa, making Jewish life visible. The
Greeks were fine with Judaism as long as it blended in. History has often demanded the same.
Those people were killed for doing exactly what Hanukkah asks of us: to be seen.
The danger isn’t only violence from the outside. It’s erosion from within - a Judaism that survives only
through technicalities, through bittul, nullification, through being “good enough.”
Hanukkah doesn’t promise safety. It promises meaning. And it asks whether we will refuse to let Jewish
life be diluted - and insist that our light will not be extinguished.
Cantor Carl H. Sayres
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE FOLLOWING CONGREGATION AGUDAS ISRAEL MEETINGS:
THURSDAY 1/15/26 7:00PM E & F COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 1/15/26 7:30PM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THURSDAY 2/19/26 7:00PM E & F COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 2/19/26 7:30PM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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A Message From Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Dear Friends,
Forty years ago this January, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday was first
observed as a national holiday.
Sadly, it was a very difficult national battle – in Congress and in the states – to
establish the day as a sacred remembrance, and more challenging for it to be
adopted as a holiday in every one of the fifty states.
Thus, this year, how special! We can recognize one who truly taught America and the world
how to apply non-violent direct action to transform evil, and whose life was – and remains – a
beacon of hope for our world.
As well, Dr. King’s linkages and partnerships with the American Jewish community were legion.
Not only did he work closely with celebrated Jewish leaders from every major national Jewish
organization, but the photos of his marching with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Rabbi Maurice
Eisendrath and Rabbi Joachim Prinz, are vital testimony to how interfaith partnerships for justice
might work. Moreover, those pictures and partnerships continue to inspire and teach young
children of every race and religious identity that we can fulfill Dr. King’s dream of little boys and
girls walking and learning together.
This year in Newburgh, we have many options for participating in the celebration of Dr. King’s
birthday.
Every year on his actual birthday, January 15, our African American Christian Ministry Fellowship
– one of our historic clergy organizations in the area - hosts a rousing, gospel-music-filled
service, with much dancing, preaching and reflection. This year it will be held at Ebenezer Baptist
Church, 76 First Street in Newburgh on January 15 at 7:00pm. I encourage you to experience
the energy of the African American church at its fullest glory!
And, years after Dr. King’s birthday was signed into law, it evolved to become a day of service –
of Tikkun Olam – of continuing the work of Dr. King and his minions from the 60’s, who foresaw
a holy community. That work has much still to be accomplished. Watch your TBJ news and
emails for the many ways we can make January 19, Dr. King’s birthday observed this year, into a
day of service.
In Jewish tradition we honor the legacy of a scholar by studying. We honor the legacy of a
donor by giving. And we honor the legacy of a leader by continuing to do her or his work.
It is a privilege to participate in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to keep his dream
alive, forty years after his birthday became a national holiday.
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE FOLLOWING TEMPLE BETH JACOB MEETING DATES:
WEDNESDAY 1/14/26 7:00PM EXECUTIVE
WEDNESDAY 1/28/26 7:00PM BOARD
WEDNESDAY 2/11/26 7:00PM EXECUTIVE
WEDNESDAY 2/25/26 7:00PM BOARD
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Congregation Agudas Israel Donations
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
Simon Rosenblum
In memory of Raymond Rosenblum
In memory of Lillian Smith
Karla Ritter
In memory of Joseph Ritter
Shirley Rose
Joan Marcus
In memory of Jack Tauber, father
Alan Axelrod
In memory of Isidore Leibowitz, grandfather
Alden Link
General Fund
Paul & Michele Sosnick
In memory of Julius Jaffee, father
Helene Slavin
In memory of Hyman & Renee Slavin, parents
Eileen Greenspan
In loving memory of Alan Greenspan, brother
Steven Altarescu & Laurie Levy
In memory of Jerry Sable
Dr. Wendy Cheng
Rick & Carol Lampack
In memory of William Lampack, father
In memory of Abraham & Pauline Lampack,
grandparents
In memory of Anna Srago, grandmother
David & Janice Mullin
Dr. Wendy Cheng
Hyman & Lillian Moses Scholarship Fund
Holly, Ed, Rachael and Patrick Schorno
In loving memory of our much missed mother
and grandmother, Lillian Moses
Prayer Book Fund
Pamela Berkowsky
In memory of Paul Berkowsky
In memory of Sydell Berkowsky
Programming & Simcha Fund
Paul Kelson
In honor of her birthday
JoEllen & Ken Copans
In honor of their birthdays
Joan & Jay Skowronek
In honor of Paula Kelson’s birthday
Mimica & Barry Hyman
In honor of their anniversary
Edwin & Elaine Cowen
In honor of Frank Wolf
David Loth
In memory of Bernard & Lillian Loth
Howard & Midge Zodikoff
In memory of Meyer Zodikoff
Richard & Penny Brown
In memory of Harvey Schwartz
Temple Beth Jacob Donations
General Fund
Barry & Marcia White
In memory of Judith Kaplan
In memory of Cantor Bill Satzman
In memory of Stanley & Barbara Marks
In memory of Larry Asher
In memory of Rabbi Martin Rozenberg
In memory of George Handler
In memory of Sy Kaplowitz
In memory of Myron Charlap
In memory Gerald Lasher
In memory of Harry Scherr
In memory of Jerome Brisman
In memory of Howard Finkelstein
Babi Satzman
In memory of Ceal Sommer, mother
In memory of Cantor Bill Satzman, husband
Toby & Sebastian Persico
In memory of Max Arbetsman, grandfather
Gerald & Marlene Jacobowitz
In memory of Ronald Jacobowitz, son
Roberta Greif
In memory of Charlotte Behar, mother
Joan & Michael Gittelsohn
In memory of Celia Voss, aunt
Yelena Lakhman
In memory of Faina Lapushchik, wife & mother
Lois Handler
In memory of George Handler, husband
Al & Stacey Yerger
In memory of Carmen Yerger
Justin & Nancy Rider
In memory of Patricia Rider
Lisa Levin
In memory of Patti Rider
Debra Metzner
In honor of Mona & Ian Rieger
Alden Link
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Ian & Mona Rieger
In memory of Milton Rothbaum, father
In memory of Bess Rothbaum, mother
Michelle Rider
In memory of Charles Fasciana, father
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