Welcome to Beth Shalom!
Serving Southern Saratoga County for the last 50 years, we are so excited to welcome you into our building, services, and synagogue family. While our unique membership comes from all branches of Judaism, we lean towards liberal Conservative practices and embrace interfaith, LGBTQA, and all our diverse friends and families. Have a question? Our Board and members are here to help. Poke around our website to learn more about us and contact us today so we can learn more about you! We are so glad you are here and can’t wait to greet you in person! We have several different membership options and one may be perfect for you. Please contact our Membership VP for additional information.
A Message from Rabbi Shara Siegfeld
As Chanukah begins this Sunday, my heart is filled with gratitude for the light we kindle together as a community. Each year, as the days grow colder and the nights stretch longer, our tradition invites us to respond not with fear or hesitation, but with hope, warmth, and joy. One small flame becomes two, then three, until our chanukiyot glow with a radiance that feels larger than their tiny wicks should allow. That is the quiet miracle of this holiday: light expands when we share it!
This year, our celebration will shine even brighter. We will have the joy and privilege of welcoming the Eshkol Band from Israel for a special Chanukah concert, along with lighting the candles together for the third night. Please join us on Tuesday, December 16th at 6pm—in person or on Zoom—for an evening of music, community, and shared light. More details, including the Zoom link, can be found below. Whether you are near or far, your presence adds to the glow.
Chanukah reminds us that even the smallest spark of goodness has the power to push back great darkness. May the lights of the holiday fill your homes with warmth, your hearts with hope, and your days with sweetness.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Chanukah filled with joy, peace, and abundant light.
With love, Rabbi Shara
Donate
If you would like to make a donation to Beth Shalom, please click on the “Donate” button at the top of this page. We have several categories available: General Congregational Fund, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, Cemetery Fund, High Holiday Appeal, Reyut, or Security.
After you select the category and the amount, you can write a specific note. For example, if you donate to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund in memory of a loved one, you can include a note which will say, “In memory of _____________.”
If you would like to purchase a lovely Tree of Life Plaque or a Yahrzeit Plague, please click on the links below, complete the appropriate form and mail to or drop off at the Synagogue office with your remittance:
Kabbalat Shabbat - Fridays at 6:30 pm
Weekly, in-person and over Zoom. Oneg will follow.
Please see the Beth Shalom weekly email announcements for all worship details including Zoom information. Please note that the service schedule is subject to change. Check Thursday’s Beth Shalom email announcements for the most current information.
Beth Shalom Hadassah Book Club
Mitzvah Opportunities
We have a chance for volunteers to participate in a mitzvah by helping a refugee family who have settled in our area. Rabbi Beverly Magidson has forwarded this request to us.
The United States Committee on Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is looking for volunteers to assist with a small Afghan refugee family located in Ballston Spa. The family consists of two older adults and two adult children. Most of what they need is daytime transportation to doctor appointments. They are living with family; their English is pretty good. USCRI would like to run background checks for volunteers (at their expense) but will not require it in this case.
Please contact Margaret Slotnick at mslotnick@uscri-albany.org
