THE YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC SEEMED TO BE ENDING:
After a most difficult year for many of us, a year of losses – lost
celebrations, lost gatherings of family and hardest of all, loss of loved ones, we were greeted by the miracle of the vaccines. Finally on June 19 we held our first outdoor Shabbat service under St Mary’s tent, and celebrated Rabbi Helaine’s excellent leadership, guidance, and encouragement; and we thanked her for her Friday night Shabbat services and adult education sessions. We also announced the formation of the Barry Skura education fund in honor of our dear friend.

WE DECIDED TO HOLD THE HIGH HOLIDAYS VIRTUALLY AGAIN.
With thanks to so many for our meaningful services including Diane
Botnick, Paul Kaye, Noah Kaye, Helmut Hoess, Marshall Mermell, and of course Rabbi Helaine. They bridged the distance between us, and allowed our friends and family to join us in the services.
We were able to celebrate Sukkot in the open air in person! Special
thans to Helmut Hoess who built our sukkah and to Glenn Lebwohl-
Steiner who provided our decorations gleaned from local fields.

This month we are hiking and making Thanksgiving for Philipstown:

OUR HIKE:
Organized by Kathy Skura, PRS enjoyed a hike and educational session at the West Point Foundry on Nov. 15 as the Foundry was named a national historic site. All participants enjoyed the beautiful weather, and learned a great deal about the history of the foundry which was
one of the principal focal points of industrial development in the 19th century. Mark Furlow, our town historian, spoke eloquently about the
importance of the site for its unique history, and praised our community for preserving it. (NOTE: Mark is a member of the St.
Mary’s Church vestry).
 

PRS is working with St. Mary’s Church and Our Lady of Lourdes Church to provide Thanksgiving meals to those in our community who may need a meal, or those who may not be able to prepare it for themselves. We are contributing to this excellent community event by making some of the food, distributing it at the parish hall, and donating funds for the enterprise. As Father Steve of St. Mary’s phrased it, PRS is contributing “their time, their energy, and their treasure.” We are so pleased to be publically recognized for our efforts! If you would like to participate In the effort kindly contact Cathy Duke at 914 450 4188.