Welcome Home
Link to OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER- June 2025
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.
June
See weekly programming links on bottom of this page
Thursday, June 19, Office Closed, Juneteenth, No Talmud Study
Summer office hours at CGOH
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fridays, (May 30 - August 29): 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday - Thursday, June 24th - 26th, 9:30 - 11:00AM Help prepare Sisterhood/Brotherhood 2025-2026 membership bulk mailing.
Wednesday, June 25 1:00 PM, Community & Coffee Gathering
June 25 is “Read 25 Day,” a nationwide initiative celebrating the joy of reading. In the spirit of the day, Arnie would love to suggest a special theme for our Community & Coffee get-together: Let’s each come prepared to briefly share a book, article, or magazine piece we've recently read and enjoyed. Whether it's something that makes you think, laugh, or see the world a little differently, bring it to the table so we can inspire one another.
Looking forward to a lively conversation and some great recommendations!
July- August
No Wonders of Judaism Tuesdays Noon in July; resumes August.
No Shikum HaNafesh Wednesday mornings for July.
July 1, The new 2025-2026 fiscal year begins. Payment plans do not carry over to this new period. Please set up new plans to pay for Membership, Gates Quest, and any other items that will be easier for you to plan to pay over an extended period of time. Our payment plans allow you to choose the timeframe within the fiscal year: weekly, monthly, quarterly to best meet your ability. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Josh to confidentially discuss the options available.
Friday, July 4- We will not hold Jammies & Jeans, 7:00 Services will be held. The office will be closed.
Get Ready for Sycamore Collaborative's 2025 Summer Meals Program!
This year, instead of CGOH setting up volunteers for a whole week, we're inviting individuals and groups to sign up directly with the collaborative for one or more specific days to help serve meals. The program will run Tuesday, July 1 through Friday, August 29, with sites open Monday through Friday (except Friday, July 4). Training is required by video. Expect a total of two hours (set up, serving and clean up) for each day you volunteer.
We are looking for volunteers to help at the following sites:
- Tribute Park: volunteer arrival at 11:00AM, lunch service 11:30AM-12:30PM
- Central Park: volunteer arrival at 11:30AM, lunch service 12:00-1:00PM
- Southgate Apartments: volunteer arrival at 11:45AM, lunch service 12:15-1:15PM
- Jerry Burrell Park: volunteer arrival at 11:45AM, lunch service 12:15-1:15PM
- Mont Pleasant Library: volunteer arrival at 12:00PM, lunch service 12:30PM-1:30PM
For more information and/or to volunteer to help at a Summer Lunch site, email Kerrie
Wolf-Piechota at kerrie@sycamorecollab.org or Kate Koutsourades at kate@sycamorecollab.org.
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 6/19
Torah Study Saturdays at 9:00 AM Zoom / Hatkoff Room
Mon, June 16 2025
20 Sivan 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.
