140 Families Strong and Growing.
On behalf of all of us at Congregation Ahavat Olam, we are grateful for your support and continued interest in our blossoming community. It’s hard to believe that this month, July 2024, we begin our third year. If you’re not a member of Ahavat Olam yet, perhaps today is the right time to consider joining our congregation. But first, a reminder as to who Congregation Ahavat Olam is, why we matter, and what we have accomplished.
Who knew that in such a short period we would have 140 families, among them 30 founding families, and a Hebrew school with 40 students, and that we continue to grow—WOW!
We have been creating something very special here…
… that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will benefit from, and can continue the legacy that we have started. Speaking of children and grandchildren, in the past two years, we had the pleasure of celebrating 20 B’nai mitzvah, with 10 more scheduled for next year.
We are so fortunate to have an average of 10 B’nai mitzvah a year! Pretty amazing for a young congregation. Rabbi Idan was honored to officiate at weddings, baby namings, consecrations, confirmations, and much more. Unfortunately, we also mourned together the loss of congregants and loved ones. Zichronam Livracha, may all of their memories be a blessing.
Among the many programs, services, and events we offer throughout the year such as:
- * Weekly Friday Night and Saturday Morning Shabbat services
- * Holiday and Yahrzeit services
- * Special Shabbat Services, Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, special guest Shabbats, Israeli Folk Dancing Shabbat, and more!
- * Hebrew School for 3rd grade through 12th
- * Twice-weekly Adult Education classes
- * Monthly Tot Shabbat programs in partnership with The Lappin Foundation, PJ Library
- * Participate in the Annual Menorah Lighting on the North Andover Common hosted by Chabad of Merrimack Valley
- * Annual collaboration with the Baptist church in Andover for the MLK celebration
- * Monthly volunteering at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, a program suggested by a youth member
- * Consistently raise more than $5,000 through a volunteer program with the B’nai B’rith Booth at the annual Topsfield Fair
And so much more…
In addition to our regular services and programming, over the past year we have also:
- * Hosted the Jewish Journal of Greater Boston’s Editor and Publisher, Steve Rosenberg, to share his experiences during a visit to Israel following the October 7 massacre
- * Were visited by Representative Tram Nguyen, 18th Essex; Senator Bruce Tarr, 1st Essex & Middlesex; and Representative Adrienne Ramos, 14th Essex, who issued us a Massachusetts District Citation and Milestone Recognition for our young Congregation
- * Held Special Shabbat Services such as Torah Holders’ ceremony, Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, special guest Shabbat with Rabbi David Meyer, Israeli Folk Dancing Shabbat, and more!
- * Hosted members from Kibbutz Magen, the Gaza border kibbutz that was attacked on October 7
- * Honored that Rabbi Idan was selected as one of 75 honorees in New England and was named an Israeli Ambassador to New England
- *The Consul General of Israel to New England, Ambassador Meron Reuben issued a CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION & HONOR to Rabbi Idan, recognizing him as an OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADER
- * We were a recent recipient of a grant issued by the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation
- * Our founding members, Stephanie and Scott Ginsberg, were recognized as Honorable Menschions by the Jewish Journal
- * We organized and participated in fun community social events such as attending a ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ performance, cooking and painting classes, and pizza making to name some
- * Coordinated an excursion to Boston to attend the powerful ‘Auschwitz Exhibition, Not Long Ago. Not Far Away’
- * Unveiled a Yahrzeit Wall at the shul
AND YES, so much more…
We are proud to declare that Congregation Ahavat Olam will forever stand with Israel and its citizens.
Since the start of Israel’s just war, we offered ongoing programs and events for our members; we have collected and shipped many essential items to Israelis; in addition, we organized a concert for Israel and managed to raise more than $11,000 for our ongoing support of that country, specifically to those who have been displaced since the October 7 massacre. We sold “We Stand with Israel” lawn signs, as well as dog tags with the message “Bring them Home,” raising awareness of our hostages in Gaza. We hosted a special Friday Night Service with a featured speaker, Roy Milstein, Amir Milstein, our flutist’s son, who shared his recent IDF experience of fighting in Gaza to destabilize Hamas and to rescue the hostages.
The High Holy Days this year fall late, at the beginning of October.
We are excited that we can continue to offer the most professional, meaningful, moving, and uplifting services possible. We are fortunate to have all our amazing musicians back: Amir, our flutist; Yael, our cellist; Beth, our violinist; Julia, our clarinetist; our wonderful choir; and, of course, our musical talents Tutti, our soloist, and Ron, our pianist.
Based on the interest expressed by non-members last fall, we anticipate a growing demand for our High Holiday services in the coming months and expect an increase in membership. So with that… We hope this is the year you will consider becoming a member of Congregation Ahavat Olam.
Truda Bloom
Please click on the button below to learn more about our membership levels, respective benefits, and more.
Again, thank you for your continued support of Congregation Ahavat Olam. It’s an amazing honor to serve our holy community. As always, we are available to talk with you at any time, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Our personal contact information is at the bottom of this message.
At Congregation Ahavat Olam, we practice a unified Judaism that embraces our rich tradition, Yiddishkeit, history, and community. This inclusive approach allows our members and guests who attend our services to feel at home. The sense of familial community we foster, combined with high-quality music and programs, serves as a bridge connecting us all. Together, we will continue to thrive and provide a warm, welcoming home for those who seek a connection to Jewish life in the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, Southern New Hampshire, and beyond. L’Shalom,
