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Peekskill's First Hebrew Congregation Celebrates Opening

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. --  A standing room only crowd was on hand for the recent ribbon cutting ceremony as First Hebrew Congregation rededicated their sanctuary following a $50,000 renovation.

Community officials and members of the First Hebrew Congregation gather to celebrate the congregation's opening.

Community officials and members of the First Hebrew Congregation gather to celebrate the congregation's opening.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina shakes hands with First Hebrew Rabbi Lee Paskind while President Marc Intrilligator looks on at the recent celebration marking the rededication of the synagogue's sanctuary.

Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina shakes hands with First Hebrew Rabbi Lee Paskind while President Marc Intrilligator looks on at the recent celebration marking the rededication of the synagogue's sanctuary.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Inside First Hebrew’s renovated sanctuary families learn about the new non-traditional Hebrew School. Front row: the Rubenfeld family; second row: the Krantz family with Judy Paskind at far right.

Inside First Hebrew’s renovated sanctuary families learn about the new non-traditional Hebrew School. Front row: the Rubenfeld family; second row: the Krantz family with Judy Paskind at far right.

Photo Credit: Contributed
First Hebrew’s renovated sanctuary.

First Hebrew’s renovated sanctuary.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Proclamations, dedications and thanks were given by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, County Legislator John Testa, Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina and Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi. Also on hand to help cut the ribbon were members of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association, currently chaired by First Hebrew Rabbi Lee Paskind.  First Hebrew, which has served the Jewish community in Northern Westchester for more than 100 years, also announced the launch of their remodeled educational program to replace traditional Hebrew School. It’s now known as Jewish Learning Experience. “We are celebrating the spiritual and physical rebirth of First Hebrew as we prepare for a vibrant future,” said President Marc Intriligator. “We have also recently doubled our efforts to provide activities for empty nesters, and our social action committee is creating events to better serve those in need. First Hebrew is committed to being a vital part of the culture and experience of all the communities we serve.”  The egalitarian Conservative synagogue provides education, programs and services for adults and children in Peekskill, Cortlandt, Croton, Yorktown and surrounding communities in Westchester and Putnam. First Hebrew also offers Orthodox services in their original 118-year-old building in downtown Peekskill. First Hebrew’s Jewish Learning Experience is an experiential program where students learn by doing. The project-based program combines a great deal more out-of-classroom activities to connect Jewish living and values with real-life experiences, such as doing good deeds, known as “mitzvahs," and mending the world, known as "Tikkun Olam.”

The program is tuition-free for the first two grades and entirely tuition-free for members; only a nominal book fee applies to all.   

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