Prayer and Beyond
A Discussion Group Facilitated by Brenda. (The group formerly known as What Are We Saying When We Are Praying?)
Date: Tuesday, July 14th; Time: 2 pm; Place: Brenda’s home, Clifton Park
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! Email Brenda or call her.
07/14/2026 2:00 pm
Brenda's home
Hadassah Book Review for July
Sandwich: A Novel – About the Sandwich Generation, Menopause, and a Transformative Family Vacation
Written by: Catherine Newman
From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things and Wreck, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.
For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.
This year’s vacation, with Rocky firmly in the sandwich generation—caught between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents—promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.
It’s one precious week in this moving work of family life fiction: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.
07/20/2026 1:00 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom and via Zoom
Historian Paul Lear to Speak on “Where the Holocaust Came to America”
Saratoga Jewish Cultural Festival presents Where The Holocaust Came To America, a special presentation by historian and historical archaeologist Paul Lear, on Sunday, July 26 at 11 am at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clifton Park.
There will be a small reception prior to the program. A donation of $10 is requested.
This program is cosponsored by Congregation Beth Shalom and Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, with the help of a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York.
Lear will share the story of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter, the only U.S. camp for Holocaust refugees. He brings nearly 40 years of experience with New York State Parks, including more than two decades as Historic Site Manager of Fort Ontario State Historic Site.
How to Register
Pre-registration is required. Click the link below or enter the URL in your browser:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/f5IJqVb/HolocaustCameToAmerica
There will be a small reception prior to the program. A donation is requested of $10.
07/26/2026 11:00 am
Congregation Beth Shalom
Jewish Heritage Night
Join us for Jewish Heritage Night with the Tri-City ValleyCats on Sunday, July 26! Gather with friends and family for an evening of baseball, community, and summer fun at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. First pitch is at 5:00 p.m., and discounted tickets start at just $10.50. Please contact Federation for further details.
07/26/2026 5:00 pm
Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy
Temple Sinai and the Saratoga Springs History Museum Present a New Walking Tour: “Beyond the Gut: Stories of Jewish Life in Saratoga Springs Since 1865”
Did you think Saratoga’s early Jews were confined to the flood-prone streets called the “Gut?” Many lived and worked there – but that’s just part of the story.
Join Temple Sinai members Shelley and Barry Bader as they lead a walk through 160 years of the Spa City’s Jewish history. Look at familiar places, like the Inn at Saratoga, Hathorn Spring, 99 Circular Street apartments, 108 Circular Street (pictured), the Adelphi Hotel, Bailey’s Bar, and Uncommon Grounds, in a new light.
Thanks to the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York for their generous support of SJCF programs.
Activity level: The tour will traverse about a mile over 90-plus minutes on city sidewalks. There are two uphill sections and one downhill, plus a staircase at the History Museum. Temple Sinai will have light refreshments when you arrive.
Pre-registration with advance payment is required: $30 per person, $25 for members of Temple Sinai or the Saratoga Springs History Museum. Don’t delay: capacity is limited.
To register, go to https://www.saratogahistory.org/events/beyond-the-gut-jewish-stories-of-life-in-saratoga-springs-since-1865.
08/30/2026 10:00 am
Saratoga Springs, New York
