A traditional Shabbat Dinner of briscuit, side dishes, dessert, wine/grape juice and Challah will take place on Friday June 7th following services.  Price is $25/adult, and $12.50/child under 13.  RSVP by June 5th to reserve.

Sometimes you can feel it from the moment you simply lay eyes on the venue, even before the first note of music reaches your ear. And that’s how our Sunday night concert with Neshama Carlebach began. Entering the Sanctuary and seeing the Bimah and the Ark awash in muted subtle lighting was a clear announcement that this night would bring a totally different Spring Concert to our community . . . Read more 

Do you like fresh, local, and organic vegetables and interested in joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and being able to visit a farm?  Would you like vegetables delivered almost to your door?   Agudas Achim Congregation has the opportunity to be the drop-off site for a CSA farm located near Frederick Maryland.  It is a great way to support local and sustainable agriculture, keep your family healthy, and not have to go too far to buy fresh organic vegetables.  It is also a great connection for a rural farm visit!

The Freedmans of House in the Woods Farm will make weekly deliveries to Agudas Achim every Tuesday starting on May 21st thru the end of September provided they have enough people who join the CSA.

Please contact House in the Woods Farm as soon as possible so that they can plan their weekly deliveries. Don’t put this off because they need to plan.  The last day for signing up for a share in the CSA , Community Supported Agriculture, is Monday May 13th.  

Confirmation/Graduation
Confirmation/Graduation will take place during services on Shabbat, May 11th.  We are very proud of each of our graduates for their accomplishments.

Also, during services on May 11th we will be honoring Mrs. Edith Gollomp for her years of service to our Religious School.  Mrs. G. will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Sisterhood’s Gift Shop Sale!

We are starting our end of year sale early so come early and often!
10% off all Tallit, 20% off everything else excluding food, kosher scrolls, yahrzeit and Shabbat candles, and special orders. Sale goes through end of May!

Wednesday, May 8 – 9:15 a.m.
All Preschool Parents & Friends of Agudas Achim are invited to a Parenting Workshop presented by our JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) liaison, Ivy Weitzner, LCSW. Join us Wednesday, May 8, for an informal discussion about Transitions: Helping your preschooler transition to summer without a meltdown. The workshop will be held in the lobby from 9:15-10:30 a.m. (Preschool families should drop off their child in their classroom first, then please join us with siblings who do not attend preschool that day. We also welcome your preschooler on a day that your child doesn’t attend preschool.

We have lots of fun activities planned and spots are still available on a first come, first serve basis.

We are offering early drop off from 8-9 a.m. and late pick up from 4-5 every day during camp.  Make sure to include your registration for Boker Tov (early drop off) and Erev Tov (late pick up) with your camp registration.

Registration packets and extended day registrations are now available online.

Any questions? Contact agudasachimsummercamp@gmail.com or call the Preschool office at 703-998-6072.

Jill Berman

Camp Director

Sunday, May 5 – 7:00 p.m.
There is still a little bit of time to reserve – or come and purchase tickets at the door. Our annual spring concert will feature the amazing NESHAMA CARLEBACH. On Sunday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m., the Music Fund committee of Agudas Achim Congregation, in conjunction with the JCC of Northern VA will present: Neshama Carlebach: Live! Music for the Soul - here at Agudas Achim Congregation (2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302). Tickets are $30 each for AAC and JCCNV members and $36 for non-members in advance and $40 for all attendees at the door. Sponsors’ tickets are $180/2 tickets, and Patrons’ tickets at $500/4 tickets. Sponsors and Patrons are invited to a special reception following the concert with Neshama and preferred seating at the concert itself. Patrons are invited to a meet-and-greet with Neshama prior to the reception and will receive signed CDs. To purchase tickets and for more information, contact the Agudas Achim office at 703-998-6460 or purchase tickets online .

Young Families Shabbat Dinner - April 19, 2013
immediately following Sha’Baby Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm
Volunteers needed to plan activities, publicize and help set up, clean up.  If you are available to volunteer, please contact Judith.Cabelli@gmail.com.

On Sunday, April 21, 2013, the Jewish Educators Assembly will be holding a gala dinner here in the greater Washington DC area. The JEA will be honoring a teacher from each Conservative Synagogue in the area  Our honoree will be Mrs. Edie Gollomp. Mrs. G. has been a teacher at Agudas Achim Congregation for almost thirty years and has impacted hundreds if not thousands of our students.  She is truly a master teacher.

The JEA will be producing a beautiful Scroll of Honor that will be distributed at the Dinner.  If you would like to contribute towards the scroll that will be listed – From the Students & Families of Agudas Achim Congregation, please let Scott Littky know by giving him a check made out to Agudas Achim Congregation by Wednesday, April 17, 2013.  Please note that any amount of a contribution may be made.

Dear Fellow Congregants, Neighbors and Friends,

Our community is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime project and you are invited to be a part of this legacy creation.
The one-of-a-kind custom playground for Agudas Achim has been designed through a collaborative process and now is the time to bring the community together again to build it. Community…. Collaboration… Construction.

There are jobs for everyone: building (beginner, semi skilled and advanced levels); feeding the construction crew (cooking, serving, cleaning up); and childcare (watching kids so parents can participate).

Please sign up for as many shifts as you can to leave a legacy for the children of Agudas Achim Congregation, Preschool, Religious School and the larger community.

The more participation the more elements we can include on the playground. All work will be under the direct supervision of Play By Design professionals.

Sign up for the build.

A few leadership roles are also available. If you are interested in one of the following please contact Rachel Goldberg.

• Build Captain, 5 needed for all work sessions
• Materials Coordinator, 1 needed for every work session
• Tools Coordinator, 1 needed for every work session
• Volunteer Coordinator, 1 needed for every work session

Remember, one week of your life can provide one lifetime of fun for hundreds of kids.
Thank you in advance for your generous commitment of time!

–Rachel Goldberg, Volunteer Coordinator
–Beth Robbins and Bob Meyers, General Coordinators

Delicious Purim Treats are available for order from Sunflower Bakery. Sunflower bakery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization giving skilled, on-the-job training to individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities.

The deadline for placing an order is Friday, February 15th, 2013, and your order will be delivered at Agudas Achim Congregation on Wednesday, February 20th. Please let Sunflower Bakery know that your order is for the Agudas Achim drop site.

You may order online or call Lisa Silverman from Sunflower Bakery at 240-361-3698 or lisa@sunflowerbakery.org.

Sunday, February 17 – 9:30 a.m.
Hebrew Marathon with Nancy Hailpern:  This all-day class introduces the beginning student to the Hebrew alphabet and the sounds of each letter. Throughout the day, students will discover they already know many Hebrew words.  Sunday, February 17, 9:30-5:00.  Fee: $45 which covers the cost of books, breakfast and lunch.  Contact the office to register.

Westminster Presbyterian Church
and Agudas Achim Congregation present
The Land: A four-part series on Jews, Presbyterians and the Middle East
Tuesdays, February 12, 19 and 26 – 7:15-9:00*

Agudas Achim Congregation
2908 Valley Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302

What is the relationship of people of faith to the Holy Land? How do we view modern realities in the light of our faith commitments? Are different perspectives compatible? Is there a prospect for peace?

PLEASE JOIN US – NO CHARGE OR COLLECTION
TOPICS:
FEBRUARY 12: Noam Katz, Embassy of Israel – “Zionism and the State of Israel”
FEBRUARY 19: Bill Plitt and John Wimberly – “Two Presbyterian Perspectives”
FEBRUARY 26: Rev. Hayward and Rabbi Moline – “Open Discussion”

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST AGREE TO RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR AND CIVIL DISCUSSION
Inclement weather policy follows Alexandria City Public Schools

*A break will take place at 7:50 for Agudas Achim evening worship; program resumes at 8:05.

Preschool Registration  for the 2013-2014 Academic School Year:

Preschool registration for 2013-2014 for currently enrolled students and congregants began on Monday Jan. 14 and will run through Monday Feb. 4th.  On Tuesday February 5th, general registration begins. Congregants and currently enrolled preschool families are guaranteed a place in the Preschool as long as we have received the completed registration forms and  $40 application fee by or on Monday February 4th.

Register now and find out more information including the AAC Preschool 2013-2014 Registration Materials and Parent Handbook.

Deadline: Sunday, March 24 – 9:30 a.m.

In order to fulfill the mitzvah of eliminating all chametz in your possession during Pesach, it is customary to dispose of your dishes, pots and pans, and any chametz remaining on your premises before Pesach, by means of a document, or by a shtar mechira (bill of sale) to a righteous gentile in our community. The sale is effective as of the night before Pesach and, unless the conditions of the sale are not met, is legal and binding. Typically, the gentile has until the night Pesach ends to meet all the conditions of the sale.

Please use this form even if you come to the office yourself. (Copies will be available at the office, too.) If you have chametz  at more than one address, please fill out a form for each address. Authorizations of sale must reach the synagogue office by Sunday morning, March 24, at 9:30 am.  They may be hand-delivered, faxed (703.998.5843) or sent by mail (please note that our mail is often delayed, so leave plenty of time).  Email is not acceptable.  Forms or authorizations received after 9:30 am on March 24 will not be included in our sale of chametz – no exceptions. Please note, this deadline is absolute.

On Friday, March 1st, 2013, all members are invited to attend a traditional Friday Night Shabbat Dinner at the synagogue in the Lainof Auditorium.  This is a great opportunity to welcome the Shabbat with family and friends with great food and Shabbat atmosphere.

The cost is $17 per adult and $10 per child under 13 which includes a delicious fresh fish main dish with salads, side dishes, dessert and Challah bread.  RSVP  on Eventbrite or call the synagogue office by February 26th to reserve your space.  The last congregational dinner sold out quickly so please don’t wait until the last minute.  We look forward to seeing you there!

On Friday March 8th the AAC Religious School is having a Shabbat Dinner!

The evening will start with Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel (students in 3rd-6th grades who attend this service will receive NOAM credit).  Hazzan Dienstfrey has been working with our students so that they will be able to participate throughout the evening.

A Dairy Shabbat Dinner follows services (menu will be baked pasta, salad, veggies, and dessert).

The cost is $10.00 per adult and $7.00 for children under 12 years old.

If you would like to volunteer to help with set-up for the dinner or with serving and clean-up,  please let Scott Littky know.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 5th.

ATTENTION SENIORS: Mark your calendars for an informative Seniors’ Get-Together on Tuesday, March 12, when our own Les Bergen, trustee and speaker for the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, will present Soldiers and Spies: Jewish Southerners and Civil War Washington. His talk will focus on fascinating individuals, all Jews, and the hard decisions they had to make during a time when families were torn by their allegiance to the North or South.

We’ll serve lunch at 12:00 noon in the Lainof Auditorium at Agudas Achim, followed by our program. Please extend this invitation to all our senior Agudas Achim members, and as always, we invite the members of the JCCNV Active Retirees to join us. Reservations are a must and are due no later than Monday, March 4 (food ordering day is always a week before the event). RSVP to Mickey Lazarus or Sharyn Tureck. We try to arrange transportation when needed.