Programs
Sisterhood, Men's Club, Culture Connection and Jewish War Veterans
Programs
Sisterhood
If the beautiful Menorah window that brings light into our Sanctuary is the symbol of our Congregation, then the mosaic Silver Gala Star of David has become the symbol of Sisterhood.
The Star Project began as a simple art program at a regular Sisterhood meeting in 2016. But put a dozen or so motivated Jewish women together with a talented instructor and piles of glass shards and you end up with more than trivets or picture frames. A dozen women created stained glass mosaic triangles that were joined together by our talented instructor Susan Krane Ruscitto to form the Star of David, which was donated to the congregation in commemoration of Shaara Tfille’s Silver Anniversary in our building on Weibel Avenue.
In recent years, Sisterhood created two new annual events: Designer Bag Bingo and the Fall Craft Sale, featuring many local craftspeople and artists. While we no longer hold Designer Bag Bingo, our Fall Craft Sale is a community favorite.
Sisterhood is a major fundraising arm of Congregation Shaara Tfille, involved in planning, promoting and executing large events such as the Silver Gala and the Woman of Valor Award luncheons, as well as the Mother’s Day Basket Raffle. All these events bring in funds for Congregation Shaara Tfille, as well as bringing our members and the congregation together.
Sisterhood is dedicated to Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – by supporting local charities. We prepare and deliver meals to Code Blue during winter months and bring a meal and goodies for Valentine’s Day, we support Wellspring (formerly known as Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse organization). We collect and donate “wish list” items to the Veteran’s shelter, prepare meals of comfort, bake and deliver hamantaschen on Purim and organize the Second Night of Passover Seder.
Sisterhood maintains a Gift Shop in the lobby of the synagogue where a large variety of gifts and necessities are available for purchase.
Message from the Sisterhood President
The original concept of “sisterhood” was originated by Mathilde Roth Schechter, wife of Solomon Schechter, president of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In 1918, one hundred women, many who were the wives of prominent rabbis and scholars affiliated with the Seminary, joined together, establishing as their mission the perpetuation of “traditional Judaism in their homes, synagogues and communities, a task for American Jewish women.”
Fast forward to today…Sisterhood of Congregation Shaara Tfille plays a vital role in the synagogue. Women of all ages, interests and talents, volunteer in planning, promoting and executing various activities throughout the year.
Even though one of our primary objectives is fundraising, we do more than that. Sisterhood participates in Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – by supporting local charities.
We meet every month for a general meeting, where projects and events are discussed and planned. Every other month, after the general meeting, we gather together for Sisterhood’s Book Club, where we discuss books written by Jewish authors or books with a Jewish theme.
For annual dues of $36, I invite you to join and become an active member of the dynamic Sisterhood of Congregation Shaara Tfille. For more information about Sisterhood, please use our website contact form to send us an email.
Shalom.
Judith Ehrenshaft
Sisterhood President
Congregation Shaara Tfille
Saratoga Springs, NY
Men’s Club
Congregation Shaara Tfille re-instituted our Men’s Club over 10 years ago. Each month committed volunteers sponsor and prepare a breakfast for congregants and others who are interested in attending. For holidays and other events, Men’s Club members have fried up latkes for Hanukkah in our Kosher kitchen or barbequed hotdogs in our outdoor space for Congregational picnics.
Men’s Club members are active participants working together to offer engaging programs with speakers, educational opportunities and social activities, with a focus on creating fellowship as well as promoting a more integral role for our activities in the community. For more information about Men’s Club please use our website contact form to send an email to us.
Culture Connection
Congregation Shaara Tfille membership comes with some wonderful perks – one of them is the chance to explore exhibitions at museums around the country and across the world, virtually.
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.
How to Mark the Day
As we are witnessing an alarming rise of antisemitism around the globe, it is more important than ever for us to recognize the critical lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honor the survivors.
At the Museum and other commemoration sites, we remember Holocaust victims by reading their names, by lighting candles, and by learning about the Holocaust. All of us can mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day by sharing the truth of the Holocaust and by confronting antisemitism and hate in our daily lives.
Jewish War Veterans
Congregation Shaara Tfille is home to Jewish War Veterans Post #36. This post was chartered in 2014 and is part of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, an organization created by Civil War veterans in 1896 to raise awareness of the contributions made by Jewish servicemembers. Nationally, there are currently over 15,000 members, from World War II veterans to veterans of recent conflicts and active service members. It is the oldest active national veterans’ service organization in America. All branches of the military are represented at Congregation Shaara Tfille.
The Post’s many functions include community involvement, educational opportunities and memorial duties. The Post meets on a monthly basis and all veterans
are welcome to attend.
