Sisterhood
ABOUT US:
Sisterhood of Congregation Gates of Heaven is a community of Temple congregants committed to our Temple’s sense of inclusiveness. We offer programs and services designed to meet the needs of our congregants and the greater community. We provide opportunities for our Temple family to deepen their connection to one another and Judaism. Sisterhood supports a variety of projects and activities, including the following:
For Our Temple:
- Cemetery Beautification Project
- Judaica Shop
For Our Youth:
- Religious School enrichment programs
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts
- Temple Community Service Corps internships
For Our Community:
- Schenectady School District Foundation
- Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
- Jewish Family Services
- Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM)
- NISKY NOW
- Regional Food Bank
- Schenectady BackPack Program
For Our Members:
- Virtual Evening Book Group
- Virtual Mah Jongg
- Zoom Programs on a variety of subjects
- Reyut - Caring Temple members who assist in times of need
Join Sisterhood today!
We welcome you and encourage you to join Sisterhood and add your unique spirit.
You may join Sisterhood online and pay by credit card or check (Click on the Sisterhood Join Now button below). If you prefer to have a paper form mailed to you, please contact Tammy at the Temple Office at (518) 374-8173. NOTE: the membership form was mailed to all members in the Summer Connect Paper quarterly bulletin mailed in early June.
The 2024-2025 membership year runs July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Please click the purple circle to pay now by credit card.
Support Sisterhood!
Donations may be made to Sisterhood through the following funds:
- Sisterhood Fund
- Sisterhood Reyut Fund
- Sisterhood Soup Kitchen Fund
Upcoming Sisterhood-Sponsored Programs and Events
Upcoming 2024 Events
Future 2024 Programs:
Tuesday, July 23 1:15 Sisterhood Movie and Ice Cream (open to all) in the Sisterhood-David Hatkoff Room; GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
Members: Free, Guests: $2.00
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Past Events 2022-2024
Outdoor Events *
*July & August 2022: Wednesdays at 1:00 Conversation & Coffee: Open to everyone! Call Ellen Eisenberg if questions.
*July 27, 2022- Wednesday 10:00 am Quick Pick Book Talk. Everyone shares a favorite book. Bring your favorite beverage and a chair. Meet at the Temple Tent for a socially distant laid back book share.
*September 12, 2022- Monday 5:30-7:00 pm 125th Sisterhood Anniversary. Temple Tent
10/24/2022 7:30 Speaker Corrine Carey for “To Everything There is a Season” organized by Irit Magnes. -
Chair Yoga November 13, 2022 2:45 p.m.
December 1, 2022 7:30 to 8:30 pm Zoom only Presentations by our own Ellen Auerbach, joined by Brenda Rosenbaum of Mayan Hands.
December 12, 2022 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. "White Elephant Re-Gift Exchange" at Gates in the Schaffer Auditorium.
February 27, 2023, "Mindy the book yenta” shared Jewish Books that will inspire and delight the adult reader. See the list.
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Photos from Event- June 4 11:00 AM, Lunch Noon
Sisterhood Short Walk in Central Park Rose Garden & Buffet Lunch
July 25, Afternoon Schmooze: Games and Food 1-3 PM
Monday, October 16 at 7:00 PM "What Would You Do?" A guided discussion of hypothetical legal cases in which participants will consider the issues in a handful of possible scenarios and how they would address them. Led by the Hon. Brian Haak. Read Brian's Bio.
Thursday, November 2, 2023: Sisterhood Crafts Evening: Zentangle by Holly Loth; see the evening efforts:
Remember to catch up on your reading of Horse by Geraldine Brooks for Sisterhood Evening Book Group on November 15 at 7:00 PM at the Savage home.
Program & Reception with Student Cantor Margo Wagner On Saturday, November 18, 4:00-5:15 pm, Brotherhood and Sisterhood have arranged a program at the Temple with Student Cantor Margo Wagner.
On Monday, December 4, we will have our annual White Elephant Evening which is fun for all who attend.
Schmooze with Judge Jill Polk, January 21 11:00 in the Sisterhood/David Hatkoff Room, Enjoy a bagel and chat with others!
Brotherhood/Sisterhood breakfast Sunday, February 4, 2024 10am-speaker Phillip Morris from Proctors Theater. Free for Sisterhood members-$5 charge for guests and non members.
UPCOMING 2024-25 SISTERHOOD EVENING BOOK GROUP SELECTIONS
The Schedule for next year will be:
Wednesday, Sept 18 7:00 PM
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See At Ellen Strauss’ Home
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Wednesday, Nov 13 7:00 PM
Lions of 5th Ave by Fiona Davis At Ann Cramer’s Home
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Sunday, Jan 5, 1:00 PM pot luck luncheon
My Life in France by Julia Child At Mindy Holland’s Home
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Wednesday, March 12, 7:00
Heaven and Earth Grocery Store By James McBride At Gates of Heaven, Arnie Rotenberg, discussion leader
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Wednesday, May 14 7:00 PM
Remarkably Bright Creatures By Shelby Van Pelt At Ellen Eisenberg’s home
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Other books considered:
Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
Israel 201 by Joel Chasnoff
Thread Collectors by Shaunna Edwards and Alyson Richman
The Women by Kristen Hannah
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2022 Sisterhood Program COMPLETED : Quilted Pinwheel Table Runner Thank you April!
April Friedman demonstrated how to make a quilted table runner. For those who missed it, these were "recorded".
1: Selecting fabrics, cutting, and sewing pinwheel blocks, and adding borders. 1.) See this session.
2: Assembling the quilt "sandwich", quilting the piece, making, and applying the binding. 2.) See this session.
Sisterhood Judaica Shop
There are many beautiful items available in our Sisterhood Judaica Shop, including:
Tallitot • Menorahs • Tzedakah Boxes • Kippot • Framed Artwork • Vintage Jewelry • Mezuzot • Wine goblets
Something for everyone!
The Judaica Shop is open by appointment only. Masks are required.
Contact Erica Berger at bagel8385@aol.com to schedule an appointment to visit the Judaica Shop.
Payment can be made by cash or check in person, or by choosing "Sisterhood Judaica Shop" in the Donations page.
All proceeds benefit Congregation Gates of Heaven and Gates Quest, our Religious School.
