Edward Berenson, a scholar of modern French history, will discuss his new book, The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town (2019), an investigation of an anti-Semitic episode in 1928  in the upstate town of Massena today, Thursday, Nov. 21, in two lectures, free and open to the community.  The first will be in the multi- purpose room of the University at […]

SCHENECTADY–The guest speaker at Congregation Beth Israel’s annual Jack Lauber Memorial Lecture slated for Wednesday, Nov. 20, will be Rabbi Shalom Hammer, whose topic “Engaging the Disengaged,” is especially pertinent to today’s Jewish community which often deals with Jewish youth who are uninterested in Judaism and/or Israel, or who are hostile to traditions and values of both, according to program […]

TROY–The Chill and Schmooze Lodge, located at Beth Tephilah Synagogue, 82 River St., Troy, has announced a two-part workshop on Sundays, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. entitled “Our Special Connections.” Attendees, who are invited to attend either or both sessions, will have an opportunity to share life lessons of loved ones who have died and review the […]

Kristallnacht’s 81st anniversary will be noted in this area with an interfaith commemoration, which will include a showing of the film “The Light of Hope” on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in Page Hall on University at Albany downtown campus, 135 Western Ave., Albany. The commemoration is free and open to the public. “This is the 27th   anniversary […]

ALBANY–The Congregation Beth Emeth Sisterhood is launching a new ‘virtual’ program this fall to allow women to participate in a 20-minute discussion on different aspects of Jewish life through video teleconferencing. The program, “Sisterhood Shabbat is Calling”, will go live for the first time on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 8:30 – 8:50 p.m. with a session entitled “What Makes Shabbat […]

ALBANY–B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany will host a several programs to commemorate the brilliance and distinguished career of Amos Oz, one of Israel’s most prolific writers, according to organizers. Oz died in December 2018 at the age of 79.  All events in the series are open to the public. “Amos Oz: Israel’s Storyteller,” a five-week course beginning Wednesday, Nov. 6, […]

Steven Stark-Riemer and Audrey Seidman to be featured guest lecturers ALBANY– Congregation Ohav Shalom is again offering classes, open to members and non-members, as part of its Lifelong Learning Series. This fall, Ohav will feature The Diversity of Ancient Israel: A Retrospective of Archaeology, History, and Religion, which will be taught by Steven Stark-Riemer. Diversity — of community, of thought, […]

Congregation Agudat Achim reported to The Jewish World on Oct. 24 that the “Beyond Dispute Class” has changed the dates of its classes.  According to organizers, the Jewish Theological Seminary, developers of the curriculum, have not quite finished creating it, so classes will not start in November. SCHENECTADY– Congregation Agudat Achim’s Adult Education Committee has announced a course to be […]

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON–Bard College will inaugurate the Jacob Neusner Memorial Lectures in Jewish and Religious Studies with lectures by scholar of Jewish studies Moshe Halbertal Oct. 24 and 27 on the Bard campus in Annandale-on-Hudson and in New York City. “The Biblical Book of Samuel and the Birth of Politics: Two Faces of Political Violence” takes place Thursday, Oct, 24, at 4:45 p.m, in room 102 […]

BY BEATA ABRAHAM (JTA via Kveller) – I can’t help but wonder why Hallmark and the retail world at large haven’t co-opted the Jewish New Year. True, while there may “only” be some 5 million to 7 million Jews in the U.S. (depending on who’s counting), Rosh Hashanah is a particularly important holiday on the Jewish calendar. Many Jews spend […]