TO READ A DETAILED DESCRIPTION ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN OUR HEBREW SCHOOL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
For any questions regarding the changes in our Hebrew School please contact Ben Scherz our new Ed Committee Chair at school@ahavas-achim.org
Click here to view pics from Judah Poupko's Upsherin!
Challah in Newburyport!
-Market Basket in Port Plaza has begun carrying Zucker's Challah. They come in fresh every Friday.
-Zac and Ani’s on Liberty Street makes homemade style Challas every Thursday and Friday. All baked goods at Zac and Ani’s are certified Kosher by Rabbi Avi Poupko.
President's Message:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new President of Board of Directors of Congregation Ahavas Achim. It is both my honor and privilege to serve as your new Board President. Many of you I know from my families' long standing relationship with Ahavas Achim and my previous three years serving on the Board of Directors. I also look forward to meeting the many new faces that enter our sanctuary, both young and old!
This is a very exciting time at Ahavas Achim with our wonderful new Rabbi, Avi Poupko, and his family Carina, Moses and Judah! A day rarely goes by that I am not approached by a member of the community commenting on the new energy and excitement Avi and his family have brought to Congregation Ahavas Achim and our growing Jewish community.
In addition to our new rabbi, we also welcome a new Board of Directors with many new and returning faces: Daryl Colden: Vice President, Kim Gobbi: Treasurer, Ilise Wolpert: Secretary, Sheryl Blair, Jill Gross, Mel Nagler, Barbara Ann and Barrie Paster, Peter Shactman, Jayne Underwood-Skaff and David Wolpert. I look forward to working alongside our accomplished Board of Directors who volunteers countless hours to keep our shul strong! A special thank you as well to our committee's and chairs for their continued volunteerism and efforts. I encourage all of you to consider becoming involved with our various committees and share in the excitement and progress that lies ahead.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following Board of Directors who stepped down this year after many, many years of service: Ron Pressler, President, Mike Fried, Anita Diamond and Mike Kulfan. It has been my distinct honor to serve alongside Ron for the last two years as Secretary. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Ron for his tireless efforts and leadership. I would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Phyllis Osher for her many years of service and dedication to our education programs and our children as our Educational Director.
The last year has reinfused our shul with energy, engagement and explosive growth in both our membership and Hebrew school. Our High Holidays boasted the highest attendance rate in years along with overflowing attendance at our new Sukkah picnic dinner, amazing Purim Party, Chanukah Caroling, Israeli dancing at Peace in the Park, Interfaith Passover Seder, our very first Upshurin, and the recent Newburyport Jewish Film Festival.
On the education front, we recently introduced our new children's Educational Model entitled "Jewish Learning through Jewish doing." Thank you to the many faces who attended the recent parent's meeting hosted by Ben Sherz, new Education Committee Chair and Rabbi Avi, providing an overview to a new, fun, engaging and innovative approach to our children's Jewish Education.
The next year promises to continue to offer a new and exciting vision focusing on our beloved rabbi's focus on Core programs: Shabbat morning services, Adult Education and High Holidays, Outreach: continuing to grow our membership through a diverse outreach to the greater Newburyport area, and Community: continuing to create opportunities for our synagogue to become more active in the community.
In closing, I welcome all of you to continue to share your wisdom, ideas and thoughts as the year progresses. When I raise the gavel indicating the start our first Board of Director's meeting, I will silently reflect that the hands of my father and grandfather held the very same gavel during their Board Presidency at Ahavis Achim. Mazel Tov!
Ilene Harnch-Grady
President, Board of Directors, Congregation Ahavas Achim
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We are a welcoming spiritual community which strives to educate and inspire children, youth and adults to participate actively in worship, Torah study and Jewish life experience, and to put Jewish religious and ethical principles into action. We are a diverse community and we welcome interfaith families. We seek to enrich the lives of our members, contribute to the continuance and vitality of the Jewish people, and commit to Tikkun Olam ― repairing the world.Avi Poupko, our new Rabbi, has recently arrived in Newburyport along with his wife Carina and his two sons, Judah and Moses.
Congregation Ahavas Achim has been part of Newburyport since March 9, 1896. It was founded by a small group of residents who initially gathered in private homes to hold religious services. In 1907, with a growing membership of 20 families, the congregation purchased and converted a private residence at the corner of Liberty and Independent Streets into a House of Worship. In 1933, the synagogue moved to its current location.
We welcome and encourage congregational participation and volunteerism in our many religious, social and educational programs offered throughout the year.
Please join us for Saturday morning Shabbat services at 9:00am followed by a kiddush and Check our Calendar for other upcoming events.
Telephone: 978-462-2461
P.O. BOX 604
Washington and Olive Streets
Newburyport, MA. 01950
For more information info@ahavas-achim.org
To contact Rabbi Avi Poupko rabbi@ahavas-achim.org or 978-518-1504
Donations Your donation is a commitment to helping maintain a Jewish presence in the community. While dues go a long way in keeping our synagogue and community viable, we are dependent upon the generosity and success of the High Holiday Appeal to maintain our current programs and develop new endeavors. Please make every effort to be as generous as possible in your donation. Donation envelopes will be available in the
foyer of the sanctuary. Or donate online by clicking the button below.
