Agudas Achim Congregation

We are an egalitarian congregation of approximately 550 member units affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Our dedication to the concept of life long learning includes both adult education and a strong youth program providing religious services, education, and activities for grades pre-K through high school age. Eileh HaDevarim . . . These are the words . . . "TORAH FACTS" These are the words that God spoke to Moses, the words every Jew received at Sinai, the words that connect each of us, wherever or whenever we live, to one another. These are the words that constitute the common language of community, the words that unite inscribe us in eternity, the words that place Jews in communication not simply with the Almighty but with one another. These are the words to which Agudas Achim now turns to strengthen our community by inscribing them in the manner that reflects the highest values of our tradition: together, as one. Eileh HaDevarim. These are the words. Drawn from the opening words of the Book of Deuteronomy, Eileh HaDevarim is the name Agudas Achim has selected for the shared undertaking through which our community will write the first new Torah we have commissioned since the congregation was founded in 1914. Over the next 15 months, our community will grow closer together by sharing the work of filling in as many as 2,000 letters in the 304,805 words in our new Torah scroll, which is now being inscribed for us by a sofer in Jerusalem.

Torah Fact: The Talmud established many rules, regulations, and guidelines for writing a Torah scroll.
The writing of a Torah scroll must be done with a reed or a quill taken from a kosher fowl. The ink must be black and specially prepared. The parchment on which the Torah scroll is written must be from the hide of a kosher animal. The size of each parchment sheet and the number of columns per sheet is prescribed, as is the width of each line of script and the size of the margins to be left on all sides.

For more information, or to sign up to help on this project, contact
Phil Lurie.

PLAY and SONG FOR NEWBORNS TO 2-YEAR-OLDS
Join us each Fridayfor a sing-a-long with Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey. The Agudas Achim playgroup, for newborns to 2-year-olds meets weekly on Fridays at 9:00 a.m., when the preschool is in session. The Hazzan will lead us in song the first Friday of the month. Open to all. Join us in the Chapel and have fun! For information contact Rachel Goldberg, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

AAC PRESCHOOL

The Agudas Achim Preschool offers half-day and full day programs for children from two through five years old. Although we are an integral part of the Agudas Achim Congregation, we welcome families from the broader community and from a variety of backgrounds. Our curriculum stresses:

Socialization of young children with their peers and caring adults
Jewish values, rituals and traditions
Exploration of the natural world
Exposure to modes of creative expression through art, drama, music and dance
Laying the foundations for a successful transition to the kindergarten classroom

For more information, click here

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AMERICANS IN PARIS – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
From the Life-Long Learning Committee: Come hear Lenore Garon, attorney, raconteur and Jeopardy contestant, regale us with stories of her experiences as a young wife and mother living in France -- some, no doubt, peculiar to living a Jewish life and others, just peculiar. Top off your Parisian experience with a patiserie! Come join us: Thursday, November 20, 7:30-9:00PM in the Founder's Gallery.

ANNUAL KARAOKE NIGHT
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 - 6:00 PM
Dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The magical chefs of Men’s Club will be serving Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup, Latkes and more, followed by an evening of Karaoke! The cost will be $5.00 a person or no more than $15.00 for a family.

RABBI JACK MOLINE NAMED
IN THE TOP 3 PULPIT RABBIS OF THE U.S.
As members of Agudas Achim, we are honored to have Jack Moline as our Rabbi. We are touched by his sensitivity in times of grief, by his counsel when we face challenges in our lives, and by his dedication to interfaith and social justice issues. We have also been highly entertained by his wit. I am delighted to share with everyone that Rabbi Moline has now received national recognition as one of the top 25 pulpit Rabbis in the United States. In fact, he is third on the list of 25 published by Newsweek. In addition to the recognition that Rabbi Moline receives, the publicity brings wonderful visibility to Agudas Achim Congregation. Mazel Tov to our Rabbi !

Please see the Newsweek link -- http://www.newsweek.com/id/131598/

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We are an egalitarian congregation of approximately 550 member units affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Our dedication to the concept of life long learning includes both adult education and a strong youth program providing religious services, education, and activities for grades pre-K through high school age.

Our dedication to religious life is demonstrated by activities such as twice daily minyanim, chevra kadisha, and active bikkur cholim and bereavement committees.
We have a strong partnership between laypersons and staff in carrying out all ritual activities.
Our auxiliary clubs (i.e. USY, Men's club, and Sisterhood) play an active role in congregational life.
We have approximately 125 students in our religious school and an additional 60-70 students attend area Jewish day schools.

We have a full time professional staff of five including Rabbi, Hazzan, Education Director, Preschool Director, and Executive Director.