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
There is something wonderfully charming about this time of year. The leaves are swirling through the air, the temperatures are dropping, and Halloween brings out the child in all of us. There are pumpkins on doorsteps, costumes that range from adorable to ridiculous, and the delightful sight of children eagerly collecting enough candy to last until next Halloween (although somehow it never does!).
And then, just as we’ve adjusted to autumn, the clocks change, giving us an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning. Of course, it also means that darkness arrives a little earlier, and winter suddenly feels a little closer.
Judaism teaches us that there is a season for everything. In Ecclesiastes, Kohelet reminds us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Each season brings its own gifts, even when those gifts come wrapped in colder temperatures and shorter days.
Perhaps that’s part of the beauty of autumn. As the trees let go of their leaves and the world begins to slow down, we are reminded to appreciate the simple pleasures around us: a warm sweater, a colorful landscape, a friendly conversation, and the comfort of being together.
So enjoy the Halloween sweetness, the extra hour of sleep, and the last beautiful colors of autumn. And as the days grow shorter, may we continue to bring a little more light, warmth, and joy into one another’s lives.
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 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
