Hadassah Book Review for November
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.
As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites listeners into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.
11/18/2025 1:00 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom and on Zoom
Being Jewish In America Today
Friday, November 21st, there will be no services on site at Congregation Beth Shalom, we will join with Congregation Ohav Shalom in Albany for services and the Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Rabbi Menachem Creditor which we are co-sponsoring.
11/21/2025 6:00 pm
Congregation Ohav Shalom in Albany
Prayers and Beyond
(The group formerly known as What Are We Saying When We Are Praying?) A Discussion Group Facilitated by Brenda
Date: Tuesday, December 9th; Time: 2 pm; Place: Brenda’s home
Please bring a siddur with you. Delicious snacks will be served! Be part of this interesting and interactive discussion!
Please RSVP to Brenda whether you are planning to attend or not!
12/02/2025 2:00 pm
Brenda's home
Saratoga Jewish Community Presents:
The Shir Chadash Trio Headlines SJCA’s Annual Chanukah Concert, Tuesday, December 9 at 7 pm at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clifton Park
Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs and Congregation Beth Shalom of Clifton Park, is pleased to present our annual Chanukah concert featuring The Shir Chadash Trio.
The trio, whose name in Hebrew means “to sing a new song,” is a spirited folk-rock ensemble who blends traditional and original Hebrew and Jewish liturgical music. They will welcome the warmth and wonder of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, on Tuesday, December 9 at 7 pm at Congregation Beth Shalom, 688 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park.
The Shir Chadash Trio’s members are familiar faces in the Capital region’s jazz and Jewish music scenes. The group features Mike Pletman on lead vocals and guitar, Israel (Izzy) Singer on drums and vocals, and Linda Ellen Brown on bass and vocals. Formed in the mid-1980s, The Shir Chadash Trio has entertained audiences at diverse venues across the northeast region.
The Shir Chadash Trio is supported by a matching grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund (https://musicpf.org) and arranged by Schenectady-Amsterdam Musical Union, AFM Local 85-133.
Pre-registration for the concert is required. Click the link below to register: https://6dl6au8ab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0017qQrWBgPUuvMTkJV21BXQHp8m0pwJiqyIVQuvfgvNRYr_Bqnboo0sZQjjfJAU8SvcinMkeuf5zsgIyrcNpt3Vd_D3dQok_NZZ5RUcjLHft-GAnj2mjgr0DTeKDlymkCjydZmO20GccDsQzX9_gD2zMnVI9q_LlhMR01iw7bQ6nOLXJy_62XwDLxDxoF6DIn6HKq21bwFLV3raYeP7sGQykih3fwPzrv2HOImobog_U_J9blwuhxcTGuLQxedRlgNq31ResB8639anwKomnIFmFxxCVh_YXZygaPsdGaDpAuB5oXeHlYuG3KhC4FS67uHmGpCMWkHxdtZrNPFsBj9nE1PvcGDNhW-EQjpBEXLvQU66szJBvf0zbqRYznz90xMdXMEI3sTTn_4OcuNDvsXbQjuab30kHkEPHRRwLQI4fNUu8-FsuOIoMgn_rxFgJO78_Rys275ULF4HZYni54j2aBtFtrPgKYYpjsahZh48FI3IVRqITNQh717RuwR-ThN7rWYByhsjeu49mlWSMyQ_g==&c=DruuH_7qRcRIeLoPeLvZO_o8HlAQDkkOzk48dD3_WyBsjXQWX293uw==&ch=wU294U_dZ2yFdq2wf1Ng-i_TGQYbmJnTIWPPApqpKG-Q-NyUtL6npw==
12/07/2025 7:00 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom
