Who We Are
History of a Rural New York Shul
Over one hundred years ago, Central and Eastern European Jews packed their meager possessions, left the shtetls, and came to America. With support of the Baron de Hirsch Jewish agricultural project, a small group left crowded city environments, moved upstate to New York State’s Renssalaer County, and became farmers. These early settlers soon grew into a thriving and vibrant Jewish community. They established the Nassau Synagogue and Jewish Community Center in 1913 and then sister congregations in Schodack and East Nassau. Today, only the Nassau Synagogue remains. It stands modestly in Nassau’s village center in its original location, a pre-Civil War brick building that was once a cobbler’s shop.
Note: The Nassau Shul is not located in the Bahamas or on Long Island. We’re in New York State’s Capital Region, in the rural Village of Nassau, NY, which is situated between Albany and the Berkshire Mountains.
Warm, Inviting Community
The first thing people notice at the Nassau Shul is the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each individual is appreciated and celebrated. Newcomers to services are offered a book turned to the right page and helped to understand the easy expectations of participation. Children are doted on, with crates of Judaic books and toys pulled out for their pleasure. Every person is invited to participate in services, activities, and events. The kosher meals and kiddush repasts that follow are opportunities to get to know each other.
Membership is not required for participation.
Though we maintain our founders’ norm of requiring matrilineal-Jewish lineage or traditional conversion for individual membership, our congregational family gladly includes patrilineal-lineage Jews and non-Jewish partners, spouses, and friends. This mix of halakhic observance and openness is no accident, but a product of a special dual legacy — tradition and adaptation — from the early Jewish farmers and merchants who made their homes in and around Nassau.
Synagogue Leadership
Board of Trustees
The Nassau Synagogue is volunteer led and managed. The board of trustees identifies priorities for the congregation and building, develops a budget, oversees operational endeavors and religious norms, mitigates risks, and represents the synagogue in the broader community. With no paid staff, most board members serve in both strategic and operational roles.
Board Members, 5785 / 2025-2026
Michael Roland, President
Israel Singer, Vice President
Barbara Neiman, Treasurer
Nancy Lord, Secretary
Pamela Tatar
Rhonda Rosenheck
Howard Brezner
Laurie Kimmelstiel
William Panitch
Annual Meeting
The synagogue’s annual meeting takes place each spring and is preceded by a kosher, communal Sunday brunch. The entire congregational family is encouraged to attend to learn about ongoing projects and programs, and to discuss future priorities. Dues-paying members may cast one vote per family to fill open board seats.
Committees
Board committees are the synagogue’s strategic and oversight hubs. Standing committees include Executive, Finance, Security, and Ritual.
Operational committees plan and implement the synagogue’s programs, services and endeavors. Standing operational committees include Chesed, Tikkun Olam, Building, Kiddush, Service Leadership, and Culture & Education.
Volunteers
Volunteers within our congregational family organize, promote, and conduct events and clubs, lead services, engage in Torah study, perform traditional ritual roles (e.g., chant Torah, build the sukkah, etc.), prepare meals, perform acts of chesed (lovingkindness) on behalf of the shul, liaise with other organizations, and prepare online and print communications.
Clubs
The (Jewish) Philosophy Book Club meets Monday evenings September-June.
The Mitzvah Knitters Club gathers at members’ convenience to knit simple projects (e.g. hats and scarves) for free distribution through social-service agencies.