Beth Emeth Brotherhood lists Feb. 4 Rabbi Weitzman havdalah program at Albany Institute

ALBANY – As Rabbi Greg Weitzman and his family continue their inaugural year with Congregation Beth Emeth, the brotherhood of the congregation will welcome them at a havdalah celebration at the Albany Institute of History and Art, 125 Washington Ave., Albany. The “night at the museum,” on Saturday, Feb. 4, beginning at 5 p.m., is intended to showcase one of Albany’s top attractions, according to the brotherhood planners.

Rabbi GREG WEITZMAN

Guests will have an opportunity to greet the rabbi and tour the museum. The evening will start at 5 p.m. with drinks – wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages — and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an introduction to the Institute. Docents will lead tours beginning at 5:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Rabbi Weitzman will lead the havdalah service ending Shabbat and welcoming the new week. Afterwards, until 9 p.m., there will be time for exploring and chatting.

Beth Emeth Brotherhood President Jay Hurewitz explained that the event grew out of a discussion in January 2022 during a brotherhood snowmobiling trip. Hurewitz chatted with Mo Bonder and Mark Swyer about how he and his wife had recently revisited the museum, and appreciated the exhibits and hoped that the congregation could introduce the Weitzman family to “one of the jewels in Albany’s cultural crown.” The brotherhood board then decided to create and sponsor the service at the Institute, he reported.

Hurewitz praised the Institute’s staff for its help in bringing the idea to fruition. “Our CBE Brotherhood event committee has learned how helpful and accommodating the development team at Institute can be, as they have worked with us to schedule and plan the event and procure docents to lead tours of the Institute. They are also helping us to provide a wine and beer service, as well as the facilities for our brotherhood chefs to provide hot and cold hors d’oeuvres to our guests.”

Registration is at www.bethemethalbany.org/event/albany-institute-havdalah. The cost is $18 for adults; children may attend at no cost. Hurewitz at [email protected] can provide details.