The Adams Street Shul

The Fast of Shiva Asar b'Tammuz will take place on Tuesday, June 25th.  The Fast begins at 3:13 A.M. and is over at 8:56 P.M. 

This day commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem, which culminated in the city's fall on Tisha B'Av.  It is fitting and proper that all healthy adults fast on this day.  Be sure to drink ample water before the Fast begins.

Should you have any questions, feel free to call Rabbi Weinberg at (617) 467-4647.

Our member Daniel Broniatowski will be performing with his ensemble, Maestro Musicians, as part of Newton's  Fourth of July celebration.  They will perform a free concert from 12 noon to 2 PM on Thursday, July 4th, in the Gazebo at Albemarle Field (250 Albemarle Rd, Newtonville).

The July 4th celebrations will continue with more family fun:  kiddie amusement rides, face painting and other kids’ activities, fabulous craft vendors, and free live entertainment all day. 

After Daniel's classical string quartet performs with elegance, beauty, and style, the musical acts continue non-stop right up to the fireworks.  All the events are free. 

Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and food for a great evening out.  You can also browse the craft vendor stalls and get ready for the grand finale: the Fantastic Fireworks at 9pm. Read more...

Who was baseball's first designated hitter?

Who was the first professional baseball player ever?

Hint:  They were both Jews!

On July 24th, at 7:10 PM, we'll see the Red Sox sting the Tampa Bay Rays.  You can get your tickets now online.

Need another hint?  On April 6, 1973 the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history faced Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Luis Tiant.

The Shul has bought a block of only forty seats, which will be sold first come, first served.

Two more hints can be found (and tickets can be purchased online) below:
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Rabbi Weinberg's new book (his sixth) is now available.  It is a delightful compendium of contemporary rabbinic humor, entitled "And When the Rabbi Laughs". 

You can find it at the New England Mobile Book Fair, or buy it online , or from the Rabbi directly. 

Please join us on Monday evening June 24th, at 7:00 PM, for a half hour of refreshments and schmoozing, followed at 7:30 by one hour of shul-member business (including elections), and then at 8:30 a brief maariv service. 

It's the Annual Meeting of the Membership of the Adams Street Shul.  All are welcome.

After a reception with refreshments, we will present a review of our completed Centennial celebrations and present our plans for the beginning of our new century, provide recognition to our volunteers, hear annual reports from the President and Treasurer, vote to ratify the coming year's proposed budget, and elect the coming year's officers and directors.

If you are a voting member of the Shul, you will also receive an invitation in the mail, with an agenda and related information. 

Please make an extra effort to come, at least for the short business portion of the gathering.  We need a quorum to validate the elections and budget ratification.
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The Nominating Committee consists of Nate Hayman, Beth Drapkin, Jeremy Poock, Phil Rosen, and Jordan Lee Wagner (Chair). 

On May 13, the Committee met and nominated the following slate of candidates:

President:  Benyomin Fleischmann
Vice-President:  Jordan Lee Wagner
Treasurer:  Steve Cantor
Secretary:  Nechama Fleischmann

Director:  Dr. Ronny Drapkin  (expiring 2016)
Director:  Jeremy E. Poock, Esq. (expiring 2016)

Read more...

Here's an easy and cost-free way you can help our community grow!

Many people are searching for a shul near Boston via the Internet.  When people enter the search phrases that we care about, our own website sometimes comes out near the top of the search results.  But just as often, Yelp's page about our shul comes up more prominently. 

Yelp is a directory of businesses and institutions.  Anyone can post reviews there. 

These search results mean that many people's first impression of our shul comes not from our own website but from Yelp's listing. 

You can help us attract more visitors and prospective members by visiting The Adams Street Shul's listing at Yelp, and rating us or reviewing us there.  So far, there are only two reviews there (both very positive of course).

If there were many positive reviews, written by diverse people sharing their perspectives, that would make our listing in the Yelp directory a valuable aid to our long term growth.  It takes just a couple of minutes and is free. 

As some of you know, I have a cousin Abdoulaye who is from Guinea, West Africa.  He is married to my Mom's cousin Laurie. 

Most of his family is still in Guinea.  Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, and has a very low literacy rate.  Many families don’t have electricity or running water, and can’t afford to send their children to school.  The schools have big classes and very little equipment.  Most kids don't even have books, paper, or pencils for school.  

I was really touched by this and would like to help these children get a good education. 

I am collecting school supplies and other items to ship to schools in Guinea.  I am also collecting money to cover tuition for students to attend school (most schools cost about $15 per month) and to help pay for shipping of the supplies I collect.   I am hoping that you will support my drive.  There is a donation box at the front of JCDS and on the side of my house at 146 Norwood Avenue, Newtonville, MA 02460. 

Many of the things they need can be bought at the Dollar Store.  Supplies needed:

• Small chalkboards
• Chalk
• Crayons
• Pencils
• Pens
• Notebooks
• Paper
• Magic markers
• Flashcards
• Flashlights (for studying when there is no electricity)

The students can also use other things (used items are okay if they are in good condition):

• Computers (desktop or laptop)
• Shoes (the children walk to school)
• Battery operated computer games, game boys, other electronic learning toys
• Book bags

If you prefer to write a check, you can make it payable to The Adams Street Shul and write "Guinea School Children Fund" in the memo.  Thank you in advance for your support.  

Warmest regards,
Zach Drapkin