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
One of the many blessings of serving our congregation in the Capital District is discovering, again and again, just how extraordinary our Jewish community truly is.
This past Sunday, I had the privilege of sitting on a Beit Din at the Albany Mikvah for a beautiful conversion to Judaism. It was one of those moments that reminds you of the timeless power of Jewish life, welcoming a new soul into our people with joy, sincerity, and love. As I reflected afterward, I realized that the Capital District is home to something remarkably special: a truly shared community mikvah, embraced and utilized by our Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform communities alike. In a world that often highlights our differences, what a powerful testament to the values that unite us.
Then today, I attended a luncheon of the Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Committee, where Father Jim Kane shared that the Vatican recognizes the Catholic Diocese of Albany as the second strongest diocese in the United States for Jewish-Catholic relations, second only, we believe, to Chicago. Imagine that. Our relatively small corner of New York is being recognized on the international stage for the respect, friendship, and understanding we have built together.
It is easy to focus on the challenges facing the Jewish world. But this week reminded me to celebrate the blessings that surround us as well. We are part of a community that values cooperation, dialogue, and sacred partnership. That is something truly worth cherishing, and something of which we can all be deeply proud.
Shabbat Shalom! 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 7:00 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
