Table tennis is coming to FHC (looks like a half court game is already in the works)
Our beautiful display case (sorry for the "sideways" appearance.... I guess a glass of wine would do now...
the front check in for our very successful penny social
just some of the people who enjoyed the penny social

A FHC press release sent last week regarding antisemitism at Mohegan Park Jewish Center

First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill stands in solidarity with the members of The Mohegan Park Jewish Center in Lake Mohegan as well as sympathetic Christians, Jews, Muslims and individuals of all races, religions and nationalities who abhor racism, discrimination, anti-Semitism, bias crimes and violence in our country.

First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill firmly supports the rights of all individuals to worship in peace without fear of harm and the desecration of their respective houses of worship. It is a sad commentary that racism continually rears its ugly head. As fellow Jews in Northern Westchester we denounce all acts of anti-Semitism as well as bias crimes against all people.

Let us work and stand together as a unified voice for all people who believe in religious freedom and the right as American citizens to pray and worship in peace without fear from elements of society that disrespect this truly American ideal. First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill calls upon all religious organizations in our community to voice their opposition to such insidious conduct and to call for our elected officials and law enforcement to work together to fight this criminal and un-American blight in our community.

Jeremy Krantz, President
First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill

Blood Drive a huge success

The New York Blood Center has thanked First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill for sponsoring a successful blood drive. Hudson Valley Blood Services advised FHC that it was grateful for the opportunity to have worked with First Hebrew to produce over 40 pints of blood, which have since been separated into their components and distributed to patients in hospitals throughout the area.

"It is from the community efforts and commitment of our friends and neighbors that enable us to meet the daily demand for blood products. There is no substitute for caring people who take the time to donate blood so that others may live. First Hebrew has greatly helped toward this goal."

On behalf of FHC, thanks to all who worked and donated blood for this event.... Shalom Jeremy

megillah reading pictures 3-20-08 FHC

purim pictures 2008 Sideways

More Purim pictures 2008

Purim at FHC 2008 pictures

MARCH 12, 21, 22, AND 24 MEET AND GREET RABBIS AT FHC

Congregants:

With great anticipation, FHC provides the upcoming schedule of First Hebrew’s communal Rabbi candidate “greet and meet” events at our Uptown building. Your attendance at the following events is crucial because we need to present FHC in its best light to the candidates. They are, in essence reciprocal greet and meet opportunities.

Wednesday March 12, 2008 @ 7:30pm a special Mariv/Evening service will be conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Shalva, a member of the 2008 graduating class of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary (coffee, cake and a teaching experience to follow)

On Shabbat Weekend March 21 and 22 we welcome to our community Rabbi Judah Kogen. Rabbi Kogen---an experienced pulpit Rabbi--will be leading both our Friday evening services and our Shabbat morning services. We will hold the Friday evening services (3/21) at a special time: 7:30pm, with a Kiddush to follow. Our Saturday morning services (3/22) will start as usual at 9:30am. A special luncheon will follow services: Rabbi Kogen will lead us in song and study.

Monday March 24, 2008 @ 7:30pm a special Mariv/Evening service will be conducted by Rabbi Avi Olitzky, a member of the 2008 graduating class of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary (coffee, cake and a teaching experience to follow).

Please put these dates on your calendar and come to FHC.


Shalom. Jeremy

1957 FHC VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE ON THE BLOG AND YOU TUBE!!!!!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE 1957 VIDEO WHICH WAS SHOWN AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA.

I WISH TO PROFUSELY THANK MASOUD RADPARVAR WHO WAS ABLE TO PLACE THIS VIDEO ON YOU TUBE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION AND WHOMSOEVER WANTS TO VIEW THIS AMAZING VIDEO.

SHALOM,

JEREMY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1l0MY7QPLc

SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA AT FHC

On March 7, 2008 FHC will joins hundreds of other synagogues in the celebration of Shabbat. Join us for a warm inviting Friday night service followed by a delicious Shabbat dinner.

In addition to the family oriented and concise (ie short) Friday night service we hope to have singing and maybe some dancing to brighten the evening.

All are welcome and the cost of the food, wine, drinks and dessert is very affordable.

FHC is a great place to break the challah with your extended Jewish community.

Shalom. Jeremy

link to journal news video re Noah's bar mitzvah Check it out.

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=VIDEO

JOURNAL NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT NOAH'S BAR MITZVAH AT FHC

CLICK BELOW FOR THE LINK TO THE JOURNAL NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT NOAH'S AMAZING BAR MITZVAH. HE DID A GREAT JOB AND THE ARTICLE IS GREAT. SHALOM. JEREMY


http://www.LoHud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071209/NEWS02/712090370/1018/NEWS02

Blogging for over 2 and 1/2 years.....

Recently, my son Noah has been surfing this blog (instead of studying for his Bar Mitzvah), and he has been enjoying the pictures and the blog entries. He mentioned to me that he did not see any new entries and that comment made me think of this blog and also where FHC is going. And it is my hope that both are going in the right direction.

It is hard to believe that I have been FHC blogging for over 2 and 1/2 years. There are over five hundred pictures of FHC related activities on this blog. In conjunction with that I have created a separate CD of the pictures that I hope we can show at some future event at FHC.

The blog has been extremely enjoyable for me. It has allowed me to create a diary of sorts for FHC, to chronicle events, to comment about FHC and our Jewish Community. While there have been a few less than positive comments about the blog here and there, the majority of the comments have been extremely positive. I know of one person who moved away from our area who repeatedly e-mails me and thanks me for doing the blog. To that person, I thank-you for your support and I am glad that you enjoy this blog.

I am truly excited about upcoming events to blog about in the coming months, which will allow me to post more pictures.

I am looking forward to our Chanuka party and candle lighting activities.

I am looking forward to our great Purim party.

While I cannot take pictures of Shabbat Across America, I hope this year the turnout will be great and I can write about the event.

We are trying to organize a celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary with a Mural making party with Israeli foods, music and dancing.

The future looks bright and I am confident that FHC will prosper in the coming years which will allow me to have additional content to post.

I am working on posting video. I do not profess to be the best at this activity, but slowly I hope that I can master placing video and sound content on the blog. I will enjoy the content and hopefully make surfing this blog more enjoyable.

Shalom. Jeremy

Hanukah at FHC coming up!

First Hebrew Congregation invites you to the 2007 Hanukah lighting of the Menorah:

At the Gazebo in Downtown Peekskill: 12/9/07 Sunday

4:00 Gather at Treatstation train store for hot cocoa
4:30 Lighting at Gazebo
5:00 Party @ First Hebrew Congregation


At the JV Mall: 12/10/07 Monday @ 7:00 PM


Please join us!

Shalom.

Michael Kohel 11-18-07 Brunch at FHC PICTURES