Congregation Beth Israel Prepares for Its Big Move: After months of delays, Congregation Beth Israel will finally get to move into its new home this February. The opening of the new building on Lois Street in North Adams had been postponed because of a flaw in the design of its heating system, but repairs now are expected to be completed within a few weeks.
“The Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for forty years,†says Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, “Our wandering has only been for seven months.â€
That is the time the congregation has been without a home since it de-consecrated its former synagogue last June. The old synagogue building on Church Street in North Adams was sold to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where it serves as a center for performing arts and continuing education programs.
“Despite the difficulties with the heating system, the building has surpassed our high expectations,†says congregation president, David Ranzer. “Everyone who has walked into it has been stunned by the building’s beauty. With windows in the sanctuary that open to the Berkshire and Taconic mountain ranges, it is a sight to behold.â€
Since last June, the congregation has held Friday night services in members’ homes and Saturday morning services at the Jewish Religious Center at nearby Williams College in Williamstown. “The experience of regularly celebrating Shabbat in people's homes has been surprising and exciting,†says Ranzer. “We are a warm and community-oriented congregation. That warmth has been reflected in the ease with which we have made ourselves comfortable in each other’s living rooms and kitchens.â€
The problem with the new building’s heating system became clear last fall, when underground heating ducts filled with groundwater. A new design for the heating system was prepared and reviewed by independent engineers. The new design is now being installed with an expected completion date in mid-February.
For more information on Congregation Beth Israel, including a schedule of upcoming events, call the synagogue office at 663-5830.
Superbowl Breakfast: St. Anthony of Padua Church will hold a Superbowl breakfast on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. at the St. Anthony Parish Center in North Adams. The menu will be French toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, muffins, juice, coffee or tea. The price is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Everyone is welcome. An added attraction to the breakfast is that there will be a raffle for a 27-inch Sylvania color television.
To celebrate its inclusion in a list of the world’s top 101 hotels, The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA in North Adams is offering Berkshire residents a limited-time $101 rate on its one-bedroom suites.
The special rate is valid Sundays through Fridays during January, and includes continental breakfast. Standard rooms, also with breakfast included, are available for $75 during the period.
Porches is the only Massachusetts hotel included in the Tatler Abercombie & Kent 2003 Travel Guide, which features just seven hotels in the United States. The others include The Carlyle, City Club Hotel, and The Four Seasons (all in New York City), Hotel Impala and Little Palm Island in Florida, and the Four Seasons at Beverly Hills, Calif.
Porches’ 52 rooms and suites are fully wired, offering free high-speed DSL Internet access, dual phone lines, and complimentary DVDs. The property includes a year-round outdoor pool, hot tub, and sauna.
For more information, or to make a reservation, visit www.porches.com, or call 664-0400.
A benefit for Northern Berkshire Community Action: On Friday, Jan. 24, at St. John’s Parish Hall, 59 Summer St., North Adams. From 7 to 9 p.m. Music Just For Fun, playing rock and country from the ‘50s to present.
Admission: (your choice) 1). A non-perishable food item, 2). A monetary donation of your choice, 3). A clean winter coat for a child or an adult, 4). Disposable diapers, 5). Personal hygiene items, (toothpaste, razors, shampoo, etc.).
Refreshments on sale (cheap), with all proceeds going to NBCA. Coffee, cocoa, soda and assorted baked goods. Come join them for a delicious night of music (and dancing if you wish) and help support a hard-working local charity.
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Mystic, Conn., Rolls Past SteepleCats
iBerkshires.com Sports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Camden Righi went 3-for-5 with a double Tuesday to lead the Mystic Schooners (5-1) to a 12-2 win over the North Adams SteepleCats in New England Collegiate Baseball action at Joe Wolfe Field.
Parker Camelo was 2-for-3 at the plate for North Adams, which scored both its runs in the bottom of the ninth.
North Adams used six pitchers in the loss. James Morr and Joe LaPrade each provided an inning of no-hit relief.
The SteepleCats (0-3) are at Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday night.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
