Temple Anshe Amunim to Celebrate High Holy Days

12:44PM / Friday, September 04, 2015Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Temple Anshe Amunim, located at 26 Broad St., will celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days with a full schedule of services in a newly renovated temple.

“This new year marks a unique milestone for our community,” said Rabbi Josh Breindel. “Our sanctuary has been completely remodeled to reflect a modern esthetic. Even more importantly, with our new elevator and redesigned bimah (raised ritual space), everyone can participate equally in our worship.

Also new this year, Cantorial Soloist Dara Rosenblatt will join Rabbi Breindel and the temple choir to help lead the musical portions of the service.

The High Holy Days season begins with Selichot – a contemplative service featuring stories, music and guided meditations.

“Selichot is one of the most beautiful moments in our annual cycle,” Rabbi Josh said. “We all fall short of our own ethical standards from time to time. This service reminds me that I can make amends for my shortcomings. It reassures me that I have the strength to reach out and make things better.”

Selichot services will take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Evening Services will be held at 7:30 p.m., followed by an oneg (festive reception). On Monday, Sept. 14, Rosh Hashanah family services will be held at 9 a.m. (one service will be for preschoolers and another will be held for grade-schoolers) with the congregational services beginning at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to celebrate the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah in nature, at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox. In its third year, this innovative service offers an opportunity for participants to connect spiritually with nature.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, Rabbi Josh will lead a memorial Service of Faith at 10:30 a.m. at Pittsfield Cemetery.

Yom Kippur (The Jewish Day of Atonement) will begin with a Kol Nidre service on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Services on Wednesday, Sept. 23, include family Services at 9 a.m., Congregational Services at 10:30 a.m., a Study Session at 1:30 p.m., and an Afternoon Service at 3 p.m. Yizkor (memorial) and Ne’ilah (closing) Services will take place at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a Break-the-Fast reception. Those attending the Break-the-Fast are asked to RSVP to the temple office at 413-442-5910.

Renovations to the Temple offer full accessibility, with a new walkway to the front door, new elevator, and restrooms on the first floor and social levels.

Temple Anshe Amunim is a Reform Jewish congregation that promotes engaging and widespread participation in services, education, and social action programs. For more information, contact the Temple Anshe Amunim office at 413-442-5910, email templeoffice@ansheamunim.org or visit www.ansheanumim.org.

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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