General Information
To schedule an appointment with Rabbi Katz, please email or call Alex Rodriguez, 718-543-8400 ext. 0.
Questions and Comments:
If you have any ideas, questions, or comments, please contact Rabbi Katie Greenberg via email, or call 718-543-8400 x. 1.
We look forward to speaking with you!
Creating a Caring Community
Births
We love to announce the arrival of our newest members of our CSAIR family! Please let us know of your simchah by contacting the office at operations@csair.org or at 718-543-8400 x 0. Can't fit your entire family in your home for the bris (brit milah) or baby naming (simhat bat)? Contact the CSAIR office about renting space in the synagogue for your service or party.
In the Congregation (BaKehilla)
If a member of the congregation is sick or in need of a call or visit, please leave a message for Rabbi Katz at 718-543-8400 x 2 or email operations@csair.org. You can also send an email to Dianne Meranus and Susanne Fruchter, Bikkur Holim Chairs, at bikkurholim@csair.org.
Prayers for the Ill (Mishebeirach)
If you or someone you know would like to be included in our daily and weekly prayers for the ill, you can contact Rabbi Katz by email or at 718-543-8400 x 2.
Death and Funeral Information
The Ritual Committee, in consultation with Rabbi Katz, has established relationships with two area funeral home to ensure that our congregants will be provided with a basic Jewish funeral, the elements of which meet Rabbi Katz's standards. While not all funeral homes are the same or have the same charges, the synagogue has established these relationships to help to minimize the potential difficulty associated with the arrangements process in a period of stress, tension, and grief.
CSAIR owns gravesites at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Queens. If you are interested in purchasing a grave or graves, please contact Eric Nussbaum via email, or call 718-543-8400 x 7.
Rabbi Katz and Rabbi Greenberg are always available to provide you with practical details and spiritual guidance in these matters.
Remembering Throughout the Year
During the year, on the anniversary of your loved one's death, the yahrzeit, there are several ways that you can remember him or her. Here is some information to guide you:
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Memorial Candle: Since the Jewish day begins at sundown, the yahrzeit begins the previous evening. At sunset, it is customary to light a memorial candle at home.
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Kaddish: It is also customary to attend minyan and recite the Mourners' Kaddish on the yahrzeit. You are invited to recite Kaddish at any of our services (afternoon, evening, and morning) within the circle of communal strength that sustains us all in the face of loss. The Kaddish prayer, an affirmation of life and faith, is transliterated in all of our prayerbooks so that everyone can participate. As part of the morning service, you may also request that the person leading services recite the El Maleh Rahamim prayer, asking that your loved one's soul find rest under the wings of the Divine Presence.
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Aliyah: If the yahrzeit is for a parent, spouse, or child and you would like to be called to the Torah for an aliyah at the Torah reading closest to the yahrzeit (Monday morning, Thursday morning, or Saturday morning/afternoon), please arrive at services promptly, and check with the greeters or the gabbai, the person who assigns Torah honors. Please call the office a few days beforehand to alert us of your intentions. This will assist in our planning.
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Tzedakah: It is customary to give to tzedakah, charity, on the occasion of yahrzeit. To perpetuate the values and ideals of those who are no longer with us, may we suggest our congregation's Hebrew School, which educates a new generation of Jews, or any of our synagogue's special funds and projects. It is also a custom to visit the cemetery before a yahrzeit.
Reading of Names: While it is Jewish tradition to recite Kaddish on the day of the yahrzeit, our custom has been to note yahrzeits by reciting, at the Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night) preceding the yahrzeit, the names of those whose commemorations will be observed during that week.
In addition to reciting the names at the Kabbalat Shabbat service, the names of those being memorialized will be read at the afternoon/evening and morning services on the day of yahrzeit. This will give everyone the opportunity to attend at least one minyan and recite Kaddish when the names of their loved ones will be recited.
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For service times or other questions, check the synagogue website calendar, or call the synagogue office 718-543-8400 x 0.
May your commemoration of yahrzeit be a source of comfort and consolation.
The Ritual and Religious Life Committee
Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale
Thu, April 25 2024 17 Nisan 5784
