Welcome Home
Founded over 170 years ago in 1854, Congregation Gates of Heaven is a reform synagogue in Schenectady, New York, a member synagogue of the Union for Reform Judaism, and the oldest Jewish congregation in Schenectady. We are the spiritual home of over 300 member families, including over 100 students in Gates Quest, our re-imagined supplemental school.
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The High Holy Days are coming- see the schedule, request tickets.
If you wish to have your loved ones listed in the Book of Memory, please complete the form cgoh.org/form/2025BOM or call the office for assistance, 518-374-8173.
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Sisterhood Membership Brotherhood Membership
August - September
See weekly programming links on bottom of this page
Summer office hours at CGOH: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fridays, (Through August 29): 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
WEEKLY PROGRAMMING CHANGES FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
No Shikum HaNafesh Wednesday morning 8:00 AM, until 9/3. No Torah Study Thursday 12:00 PM, until 9/4.
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, & OCTOBER
Please renew your membership for 2025-2026 or confirm your payment plan(s) if you have an open balance or if you're not sure. You're welcome to call the office, 518-374-8173, to check with us any time. Remember - our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. 8/1 Note: If using a payment plan, you have 11 months to split payments!
Friday, August 22 at 7:00, TCSC Shabbat, join us as the Temple Community Service Corps (TCSC) interns briefly discuss their summer experiences during Friday services.
August 27, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Red Cross Blood Drive at CGOH, sign up here to donate
Saturday, September 13, 6:30 PM, Selichot Program-- I'm Sorry You Got Mad: What Real Apologies and Holy Disagreements Look Like
We’ve all been there—someone offers an apology that doesn’t quite feel like one. Or maybe we’ve said, “I’m sorry you feel that way,” and wondered why it didn’t help. As we enter the season of teshuvah, we’re invited not only to reflect on our actions, but also on our relationships and how we navigate conflict.
Before the Selichot service which ushers in the High Holiday session, we’ll explore what it means to truly apologize, take responsibility, and repair. Drawing from Jewish texts and the Machloket L’Shem Shamayim framework (disagreements for the sake of heaven), we’ll examine how we can disagree without disconnecting—and how real repentance requires more than checking a box. Together, we’ll consider: What makes
an apology meaningful? How do we stay grounded when we feel hurt or misunderstood? And how can our High Holiday reflections lead to deeper conversations—and stronger connections?
RSVP for the Discussion and light dinner: 6:30 pm & 8:00 PM Selichot Service
Sunday, September 14, 9:30 AM, Opening day of Gates Quest. Family Picnic follows at River Rd Park 12:30 PM
Sunday, September 14, 12:00 PM Sisterhood Rose Garden Walk (or drive over & back) & Member Luncheon
Sunday, September 28, 9:30 AM Brotherhood Breakfast
Join us for weekly programming:
Community and Coffee Wednesdays at 1:00 PM Zoom / Hatkoff Room
Talmud Study Thursdays at 12:00 PM Zoom / Hatkoff Room not until 9/4
Torah Study Saturdays at 9:00 AM Zoom / Hatkoff Room
Sat, August 23 2025
29 Av 5785
Chai School - Middle & High School Program
Ignite: Conversation & Connection
Spark your identity. Shape your future.
A monthly space to explore Jewish values, leadership, and life.
Ever wonder if someone’s really listening to you? What actually makes a best friend? How do you stay chill when everything feels chaotic? And what does being Jewish in America even mean right now?
At Ignite, we talk about real stuff that matters—friendship, identity, stress, belonging—through games, debates, and conversations that aren’t boring. It’s a space to speak your mind, hear new perspectives, and figure things out together.
Come for the fun. Stay for the deep stuff.
ON THESE SUNDAYS 10:30 AM -12:30 PM
October 19, November 23, December 21, January 25, March 22, April 26
10:30-11:20 Period 1
11:20-11:40- Bagels/Community Time
11:40-12:30- Period 2
Tuition: $36 per year
Sign up here
Mitzvah of the Month
Select a Summer cause you wish to support.
We love learning about organizations or causes to collaborate with for our ongoing Mitzvah of the Month social action projects.
