Gates is a place for you to call home.
We’re a Reform Synagogue in Schenectady, NY, founded in 1854. We are the spiritual home of many including over 100 students in Gates Quest, our re-imagined Religious School. We’re a caring family united in social action, prayer, education, and social activities. We encourage you to engage with Judaism on your own level, on your own terms. Gates welcomes members of all backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Our members consist of Jews by birth, Jews by choice, Jewish adjacent, Jewish plus 1, Jewish and New-ish, young and older adults, married and unmarried, and members of the LBGTQA community.
Our Gates are open to all.
Summary Page of Upcoming Events
School Registration is Open
Gates Quest 2022-2023 Classes started Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
Registration: If you see MY ACCOUNT on the upper right of the website (above), then your family Enrollment Starts here. If you need assistance logging into your account or if you are a non-member and would like assistance, please contact the temple office at 518-374-8173 or info@cgoh.org. You may also download a PDF paper version of the Registration Forms to fill out and return to the temple.
Upcoming CGOH Activities: (& more below)
Giving Tuesday 11/29
Lighthouse for the Homeless- THANK YOU to everyone who is made food for this shelter (part of Bethesda House) for Thanksgiving! We are now working on the plan for 12/23/22.
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DECEMBER
- Friday, December 2, 2022 Jammies & Jeans sign up by clicking the flyer below/ walk-ins are welcome.
- December 4, Brotherhood Speaker & Breakfast (see below) Zoom Link for 10:20 a.m.
- December 5: Start Mah Jongg Mondays 1:00 pm in person (additional dates 12/12, 12/19, 1/9, 1/23, & 1/30/23). Contact the office for details or to make suggestions. 518-374-8173
Weekly Tai Chi -Restart on 12/5/22 Relaxing Exercise for Mind and Body Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Monday, December 5, 2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hatkoff Room
Join us for an introduction to ancient exercises that coordinate movement, breathing and meditation for improving mental and physical health. Studies have shown that Tai Chi and its forerunner, Qi Gong, lower stress, increase focus, and improve balance. Both are adaptable for nearly all fitness levels. Often, participants see benefits after just a few classes.
Tai Chi evokes images of animals ̶ from sparrow to lion ̶ and familiar objects ̶ from blossom to bow and arrow. Qi Gong is designed to harness Qi, or energy, to support bones, muscles, and heart-lung fitness.
Aaron and Ina Fried are certified Tai Chi instructors.
Asian refreshments will follow.
Please wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes. Masks are required.
No Charge, but please RSVP by December 1st through the office at 518-374-8173 or tammy@cgoh.org
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Mitzvah Day will take place Sunday, December 11, 2022
HOW IT'S GONNA WORK
Serve your community virtually or in-person this Fall/Winter.
Check out some of the many ways to make an impact on your community with our volunteer options, or choose a socially distant program, or things you can do at home with your family. Come to the event on December 11th 11:30 -1:00 to meet groups needing volunteers or funds. Learn something, eat something, & Get your 2022 Mitzvah Day T-Shirt!
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"THE EVER LOVIN' WHITE ELEPHANT RE-GIFT EXCHANGE AND WEAR YOUR FAVORITE HAT EVENING"
Monday, Dec 12, 2022, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CGOH Shaffer Auditorium
Join the fun, and it is lots of fun, by re-gifting something that you
don't need or use to someone who will enjoy receiving it.
RSVP to Erica Berger bagel8385@aol.com by Dec 6th.
Deeeeeeelicious refreshments along with tea and coffee will be
served.
(SEE MORE DETAILS BELOW under Sisterhood)
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EVEN GOD HAD BAD PARENTING DAYS: Ancient Jewish Wisdom for New Parents by Alicia Jo Rabins
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 7:00 p.m.
Register for the Zoom link for the Virtual discussion with the Author
DECEMBER continued
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Life & Legacy Chanukah Dinner
The members of the Life & Legacy Society will be gathering on Wednesday, December 21st at 5:30 p.m. We are happy to welcome folks who are interested in learning more about our program.
There IS light at the end of the pandemic, and we look forward to celebrating the season of lights together.
Please contact Paula at metzner.paula@gmail.com to RSVP or for any questions you have about Life & Legacy.
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"Light up the Night" Hanukkah Dinner
Friday, December 23, 2022 5:45 p.m.
Mona Golub's famous latkes are going to be served at our "Light up the Night" Family Hanukkah Dinner! Mark your calendar as we bring back our tradtional Hanukkah dinner reimagined.
$10 per person or $25/family for salad, Roast Chicken, Mona's latkes with applesauce and dessert.
Bring on the music! We need to create a playlist, email your suggestions to arotenberg@cgoh.org
Listen to the songs already selected.
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JANUARY
Intermediate Art Class
Come and take a Creative and Colorful break from Winter
Instructor local artist, Amy Friedman, MA
January 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th, 2023
Thursdays from 10:30 to noon
$20.00 per class
For students with some watercolor painting experience. We will explore artistic principles such as composition, proportion, value, shape, color and perspective through still life, floral, landscape, and abstract painting.
Sign up for the art classes here
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Sundays, January 22 & 29
The Creative Fire of Folklore
Sundays, January 22 & 29, 2023
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Library. A virtual option is available.
A workshop for poets, led by Susan Comninos. Following her successful writing workshop recently held at Congregation Gates of Heaven, Susan Cominos is now offering a workshop for poets. Participants will employ techniques for incorporating elements of your own community’s folklore into identity-based poems that can
function as your own ‘origin stories.’ The course will also focus on how the individual poets play the role of an “inheritor” of their family or community’s legacy. $35/session. Sign up here
See more details -- Link for Art/Poetry Classes
December 12, 2022 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. "White Elephant Re-Gift Exchange" at Gates in the Shaffer Auditorium.
"THE EVER LOVIN' WHITE ELEPHANT RE-GIFT
EXCHANGE AND WEAR YOUR FAVORITE HAT
EVENING"
Dec 12, 2022
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CGOH Shaffer Auditorium
Join the fun, and it is lots of fun, by re-gifting something that you
don't need or use to someone who will enjoy receiving it.
RSVP to Erica Berger bagel8385@aol.com by Dec 6th.
Deeeeeeelicious refreshments along with tea and coffee will be
served.
Please email if you have any questions.
Can't wait to see you!!!!!
Click the link above to view all upcoming Brotherhood programs and information to join
Sunday December 4, 2022
10:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast with Al Magid, speaking on his friendship with a member of China's ruling elite.
In Spring 1989, Dr. Al Magid, political science professor in the University at Albany/SUNY, was invited to be a visiting professor at Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Magid arrived in Shanghai as mass pro-democracy demonstrations were spreading with the epicenter at the great Tiananmen Square in China's capital, Beijing, destined to culminate with a massive brutal military crackdown on June 4.
During his stay, Magid forged a relationship with Wang Huning, a nationally touted political scientist on the Fudan faculty, and a hardline Communist Party member who openly opposed mass pro-democracy demonstrations. Magid learned much about his Chinese colleague's disdain for Western democracy; his deep skepticism about America's future; and his great optimism about China's future under strict Communist Party rule. Wang Huning is positioned now in the Politburo's Standing Committee as China's leading official ideologist and key political lieutenant to Xi Jinping, President of China and leader of the Chinese Communist Party.
Dr. Magid will amplify on his experiences in tumultuous Shanghai in the spring of 1989 and his relationship with Wang Huning in his presentation.
Please Register for the breakfast on December 4th by November 30th.
ONGOING SYNAGOGUE PROGRAMS
Here is a list of the many ways you can connect with your Gates community:
Zenobics Tai Chi
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95087207294
(Virtual and in the Sisterhood-David Hatkoff Room; masks will be required)
Community and Coffee
Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
(in-person and virtual)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83297737732
Talmud with Rabbi Matt
Thursdays at 12 noon
Click Here to Join
(virtual and in-person)
Shabbat Services
Fridays at 7:00 pm
https://venue.streamspot.com/c8e4281c
(in-person and live-streamed)
Torah Study
Saturdays at 9:00 am
Click Here to Join
(in-person and virtual)
